~y2009m11d5-JWW-solar-cookers-prevent-Darfuri-rapes-and-other-inspiring-works-via-Goodstock~y2009m11d5-JWW-solar-cookers-prevent-Darfuri-rapes-and-other-inspiring-works-via-Goods... more
"SANTA MONICA, California — Cash for Clunkers, the federal stimulus program that's put money in car buyers' pockets and depleted automakers' once-bloated inventories may end up responsible for producing at least one regrettable "loser:" charities that depend on donated used vehicles for funding or direct transfer to the needy.
Some charitable organizations that accept vehicle donations and either sell them for cash or turn over the vehicles directly to new low-income owners are seeing vehicles that normally would come their way instead being used for the $3,500 or $4,500 vouchers Cash for Clunkers provides toward new-vehicle purchases...""SANTA MONICA, California — Cash for Clunkers, the federal stimulus program that's... more
Undergraduates at Oxford University seem have to mislaid their gowns...and all the rest of their clothing. A group of scholars agreed to pose for a saucy naked calendar to raise money for poverty-stricken third world countries.
And their antics have caused something of a stir with their straight-laced tutors, since all the scenes were shot in Oxford's most famous historic locations.
One surprised college warden said the £10 calendar had embarrassed traditionalists at the alma mater of Einstein, Stephen Hawking and 25 British Prime Ministers.
'It's not something that would have happened in my day', he said. 'I certainly blushed when I saw it but the students are having a good time and all the proceeds go to charity so it's worth it.'
Rosie Batty, a 20-year-old Physics student from East Sussex who features on the front cover and two inside pages described stripping off in the university grounds as a 'real buzz'.
Rosie, who appears in February's shoot cuddling up to a naked male student and in the naked punting pose said: 'Punting naked on the river was the naughtiest. It was 5.30 in the morning and I'm sure some of the windows from nearby halls were steaming up from people looking at us.'
Around 60 students took part in the calendar in aid of Oxford-based charity TravelAid.Undergraduates at Oxford University seem have to mislaid their gowns...and all the... more
Marketing veteran Cindy Gallop and software developer Wendell Davis are on a quest to make the world a better place, with a crowdsourcing project to motivate people to do big things by taking small bites. Their theory: Small, good intentions can bring about great leaps.Marketing veteran Cindy Gallop and software developer Wendell Davis are on a quest to... more
Gay Pride? or Shame!? Our take on the Glorious Annual Celebration of Exploitation, Manipulation, Deception and Intimidation provided to serve Manchester's LGBT Community.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Young People have been speaking out in response to an increase in wristband prices, charges for small groups to enter the parade and have a stall, a "youth space" that you have to pay to get in which only last 2 hours that's if you can beat the queues... and then all the respect we've had (not!) from bullies charged with running run Manchester's Pride Festival in 2008... and it certainly didn't go unnoticed!
Watch our short documentary film that's really getting under the skin of pride, exposing corporate greed and authoritarian censorship at it's worst and most appalling, ripping off the people it's designed to empower.
This film is dedicated with much love and respect to Manchester Pride's Festival Director "Yeah" Jackie Crozier. We love you Jackie, much love to you and all your friends and associates!
See you at Manchester Pride 2009 - when we will be in the parade and once again, not afraid to speak out however hard you try to stop us.
Don't forget to get your Manchester Pride tickets... we can sell you some for just ten pence! apparently that's all their (we're worth).Gay Pride? or Shame!? Our take on the Glorious Annual Celebration of Exploitation,... more
Playing for Change, the movement to connect the world, build schools, connect students and inspire communities in need through music has released their first "song around the world." Musicians from all parts of the globe add their bit to put together a lovely version of Ben E. King's classic "Stand By Me." This song and many others come from the award-winning documentary, "Playing For Change: Peace Through Music."Playing for Change, the movement to connect the world, build schools, connect students... more
A US court has convicted a Muslim charity and five of its former leaders of all 108 charges in the largest "terrorism" financing trial in US history.
The Texas jury reached its verdict on Monday after eight days of deliberations over whether the former Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development, once the largest US Muslim charity, had given money to the Palestinian group Hamas.
The charity, which was shut down seven years ago, was accused of giving more than $12m to support Hamas, which was designated a "terrorist organisation" in 1995 by the US government.
Prosecutors said the charity was spreading Hamas's ideology by funding schools, hospitals and social welfare programmes controlled by the group in the Palestinian territories, and permitting it to divert funds to the activities of fighters.
However, the charity's supporters said the government was politicising the case as part of its so-called war on terror and ignoring the foundation's charitable mission in providing aid to the poverty-stricken Palestinian territories.
Muslim groups say the prosecution has made American Muslims more hesitant to fulfill their religious obligation of helping the needy and the foundation's defenders accuse the government of selectively prosecuting the charity.
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One man's terrorist is another man's freedom fighter. Just as '"humanitarian aid" is considered a boon to some, it's considered evil by others. How sad the world refuses to see matters from another's perspective.A US court has convicted a Muslim charity and five of its former leaders of all 108... more
A poll published today reveals that three in four children have seen images online which disturbed them.
One child was "freaked out" by violent images which they didn't search for, and others ended up with pornographic images after searching for "pictures of animals".
The results of this poll have caused much concern and the NSPCC are campaigning for better internet security for children. A poll published today reveals that three in four children have seen images online... more
These 10 charities work throughout the country and the world. They are large, complex organizations with budgets exceeding $100 million, and at least $65 million in net assets. They became household names in part because of their exceptional financial management, no easy feat considering the scope and size of their operations. Charitable givers should feel confident that these national institutions put their donations to good use.
Charity Overall Score
1. American Red Cross 69.40
2. The National Christian Foundation 69.35
3. PATH 68.73
4. Conservation International 68.48
5. The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International 68.45
6. American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee 65.70
7. City of Hope 65.68
8. World Wildlife Fund 65.64
9. The Nature Conservancy 65.45
10. Direct Relief International 64.88 These 10 charities work throughout the country and the world. They are large, complex... more
We support a charity's need to build endowments and save for tough times and emergencies. But charities shouldn't just save money to save money. These 10 charities have tons of money. But are they getting the biggest bang for your buck? Each has stockpiled at least two years of reserves in the bank. Each has grown its revenues at least 25% for each of the past 3 to 5 years. Despite those deep pockets, these charities operate stagnant operations, expanding their programs by less than the rate of inflation (3%). Shouldn't all that cash be used more aggressively?
Charity Wkg Capital (Years)
1. American Forest Foundation 39.70
2. St. Louis Art Museum Foundation 31.74
3. Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan 14.07
4. Historic New England 11.82
5. Christian Ministries Foundation 10.64
6. California Academy of Sciences 9.89
7. The Federation, Jewish Communities of Western Connecticut 9.63
8. American Indian College Fund 6.17
9. Kalamazoo Institute of Arts 6.09
10. Peter G. Peterson Institute for International Economics 5.92We support a charity's need to build endowments and save for tough times and... more
Americans gave a record amount to charity in 2007, topping $300 billion for the first time, despite mounting economic worries.
Still, there are indications that slowing growth is taking a toll on giving. The 3.9% increase in donations last year was far less than spikes of roughly 10% and 13% in 2004 and 2005, respectively. In addition, researchers revised 2006's giving increase downward to a meager 0.4% from 4.2%.
(End of excerpt)
Full story at link by Mike Spector// The Wall Street JournalAmericans gave a record amount to charity in 2007, topping $300 billion for the first... more
If the super-rich and the world's largest companies paid their fair share in taxes, more than 5 million children could be saved in the developing world, according to a report by Christian Aid. The British charity group says the widespread, damaging effects of tax abuse is "tantamount to a new slavery." It says that at least £82 billion ($160 billion) in tax revenues each year that could go to poor countries is instead being redirected to tax havens.
Christian Aid has condemned high-profile individuals and corporations for minimizing their tax bills by banking offshore. They recognize there is a conventional distinction between such 'tax avoidance' and the unlawful 'tax evasion', but are effectually the same. "The pursuit of profit outweighs all other considerations, including good citizenship and social responsibility."
EU governments have recently tried to crackdown on tax havens in hopes of recovering lost revenues. Ironically, though, even Britain's CDC plc, formerly the Commonwealth Development Corporation and still owned by the Department for International Development, pays no taxes on its £350m of profits, thanks to its use of tax havens, even though its main aim is to fund development projects.
What do you think about Christian Aid's claims that the super-rich have social responsibility to the developing world? Should individuals/corporations be allowed to protect their assets if they're doing so legally?If the super-rich and the world's largest companies paid their fair share in taxes,... more
"Young cancer patients took in a free screening of 'Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who' at Park Place Stadium Cinemas. The cinema hosted the event, opening the theater only to the patients and their families. An invitation only party is a way to let the youngsters enjoy a movie without being exposed to something that could trigger a serious problem. These parents say enjoying a 'normal' day when they are usually few and far between is nice change of pace from treatments and hospital visits. The hospital has arranged several other outings for patients and their families.""Young cancer patients took in a free screening of 'Dr. Seuss' Horton Hears A Who' at... more
Courteney Cox and David Arquette have a challenge for their famous friends: help raise $1 million in two weeks for Epidermolysis Bullosa, a rare skin condition that primarily affects children.
"EB is very personal to me so I'm happy to be a part of this $1 million challenge," Cox said in a statement to The Associated Press. "Now is such an important time to put the spotlight on EB and ensure that research can continue at a fast pace."
Courteney Cox and David Arquette have a challenge for their famous friends: help raise... more
Prince Harry is "bitterly disappointed" after learning that his £1.1 million pound charity has given less than a tenth of the money its raised to the AIDS orphans it was set up to support. Sentebale, founded in honour of Princess Diana, has raised £1.15 million since it was set up two years ago, but has distributed only £84,000 to children in Lesotho while £600,000 still sits in a bank account. Another £250,000 of that money has been spent on staffing costs, with one official receiving more than £90,000, £75,000 on vehicles and equipment and £86,000 on setting up a website, according to the Charity Commission.
Setting up operations of a charity certainly takes time and resources... but for some, including the Prince, these numbers leave an uneasy feeling. Though a spokesperson says that by the end of August, the resources will be allocated directly to projects supporting the children. Prince Harry is "bitterly disappointed" after learning that his £1.1 million pound... more
Aéropostale, known for its relaxed and inexpensive jeans, is having a Teens For Jeans drive, which aids homelessness. Between Jan. 22 and Feb. 10, donate any of your gently worn jeans, and the company will give you 20 percent off a brand new pair. What's more, they will donate 10,000 pairs of jeans to homeless teens.Aéropostale, known for its relaxed and inexpensive jeans, is having a Teens For Jeans... more
Which charities are most deserving? Those working on environmental issues tend to come low on most people's lists, judging by the paltry amounts they receive; yet, argues Sylvia Rowley, they can make a huge difference to some of the world's most pressing problems.Which charities are most deserving? Those working on environmental issues tend to come... more
The One Laptop Per Child charity that went into production a few months ago provided $100 laptops to children in developing countries designed to entertain and educate children while allowing them to learn by themselves. But how good is such a cheap computer? According to the kids, it's easy to use, easy to learn, and fun. Sounds like a success! Check out what kids are saying!The One Laptop Per Child charity that went into production a few months ago provided... more
Thanks to the global commodities boom of the past few years, sub-Saharan Africa's economies, after decades of stagnation, are expanding by an average of 6% annuallytwice the U.S. pace. And like bees to honey, investors are swarming into the region in search of the enormous returns that ultra-early-stage investments can bring.Thanks to the global commodities boom of the past few years, sub-Saharan Africa's... more
for charity. Ozzy's glasses, clothes and other items were auctioned off on Friday to benefit The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Program at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in LA.
The auction raised more than $800,000.
So when all their stuff was auctioned off, did they have to but new stuff? for charity. Ozzy's glasses, clothes and other items were auctioned off on Friday to... more
