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Americans' charitable giving hits a record
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%.
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Full story at link by Mike Spector// The Wall Street Journal Americans gave a record amount to charity in 2007, topping $300 billion for the first time, despite mounting economic worries. ... more -
Tax evasion 'costs lives of 5.6 million children in the developing world'...
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 than 5 million children could be saved i... more -
Charleston Movie Theater Hosts Free Movie for Young Cancer Patients
"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 Park Place Stadium Cinemas. ... more
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Courtney Cox and friends 'make that money' for Epidermolysis Bullosa
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 $1 million in two weeks for Epidermolysis Bullo... more -
Prince Harry's £1 million charity gives AIDS orphans just £84,000
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 charity has given less than a tenth of th... more -
Aeropostale To Donate Recycled Jeans To Homeless Teens
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 drive, which aids homelessness. Between Jan. 22 ... more
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The logic of green giving
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 low on most people's lists, judging by the... more
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Kids Review Their $100 Laptops
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 $100 laptops to children in developing countries ... more
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Can Greed Save Africa?
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 economies, after decades of stagnation, are exp... more
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Ozzy Osbourne sells his stuff ...
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 benefit The Sharon Osbourne Colon Cancer Pr... more -
Spice Girls Break Record
The Spice Girls comeback song "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" is the worst selling song of all time for the charity Children In Need. The Spice Girls comeback song "Headlines (Friendship Never Ends)" is the worst selling song of all time for the charity Chi... more
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Hollywood Starlets Give It Up for Charity
Scarlett Johansson works with Oxfam, Natalie Portman stumps for women in developing nations, and Hayden Panettiere makes waves for dolphins. Even tweens such as Dakota Fanning want to save the world. Many in Young Hollywood, especially actresses, are aligning themselves to social causes like never before. There are companies devoted to matching celebrities with charities, even a reality show in the works that hopes to capture every hug.
"We now live in the world of the actor-brand," says Howard Bragman, founder of Fifteen Minutes PR, a Los Angeles public-relations firm that specializes in crisis management. "And for an actor, that brand is defined by the acting, the fashion and the social choices that you make."
I'm not quite sure what to make of this. It's common knowledge that a growing number of celebs are utilizing philanthropy as a PR launch pad for their careers, and my feelings are conflicted.
For the most part, I'm quite glad for the exposure of worthy causes to people following celebrity activity, but another, decidedly more jaded part of me feels like it's all a bit gross.
Except for Natalie. Everything that girl does mesmerizes me.
What do you think? Scarlett Johansson works with Oxfam, Natalie Portman stumps for women in developing nations, and Hayden Panettiere makes waves for dol... more -
Mommy-To-Be Nicole Richie Hosts Charitable Baby Shower
Nicole Richie kept a low profile behind her hat and sunglasses in LA yesterday, but the details of her upcoming baby shower have been publicized.
Nicole's party will be this Sunday and instead of gifts, she and Joel have asked their guests to donate useful baby items to the Richie Madden Childrens Foundation, an organization they started to help mothers in need.
Thank goodness for Angelina - she made goodwill hip among a posse of celebutantes that would otherwise probably never do this sort of thing. Nicole Richie kept a low profile behind her hat and sunglasses in LA yesterday, but the details of her upcoming baby shower have been ... more -
Mystery $100M donation lifts Pa. city
Mike Batchelor invited the heads of 46 charities into his downtown office for one-on-one meetings to personally deliver the news. Nearby, on a small table, sat a box of tissues.
And then he proceeded: A donor had given a staggering $100 million to the Erie Community Foundation, and all of the charities would receive a share.
That was when the tears began to flow and the mystery began in this struggling old industrial city of 102,000 on Lake Erie, where the donor is known only as "Anonymous Friend." Mike Batchelor invited the heads of 46 charities into his downtown office for one-on-one meetings to personally deliver the news. Near... more -
Hollywood United
A celebrity football exhibition raised more than $90,000 for the victims of last month's wildfires in Southern California.
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Our Charitable Donations: Not So Green
While the environmental plight and climate change are widely recognized as the biggest issues we face today, we're not putting our money where our mouths are. Environmental charities are seeing less than 2% of more than £2 billion donated annually by the public. While the environmental plight and climate change are widely recognized as the biggest issues we face today, we're not putting ou... more
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Hunting for the Homeless
When Mike Aversa hunts deer in the forests of New Jersey his kill doesn't end up in his freezer but at the local food bank. vc2 producer Adam Kaufman is working on a pod that explores the unique way that Mike, his local butcher and the food bank are feeding the homeless. When Mike Aversa hunts deer in the forests of New Jersey his kill doesn't end up in his freezer but at the local food bank. vc2 ... more
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