Archive for the ‘Give Page’ Category

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Who’s looking at your trades?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

This is a somewhat complicated question that depends largely on the situation you find yourself in. Much like the stock market or investment markets themselves, certain people are privy to certain types of information. But let’s say you bought a share of Microsoft (MSFT) yesterday. Who can see that you did that?

  1. On the most immediate level, you can. You can view your purchase in your account register.
  2. Your financial advisor or private banker can also see the trade because she or he has access to your account.
  3. Things start to get a bit impersonal here: theoretically, the bank or brokerage house that you are associated with can see that one more share of Microsoft was bought for one of their customers.
  4. The market will most likely not be affected with the purchase of your one share, but since it is technically the most recent sale, for a little while (we’re talking less than a second) your purchase will be the last visible sale of MSFT which is visible to anyone who is looking at MSFT at that moment.

The long and the short of it is that only you and your financial advisor/ institution can see that YOU personally bought a share of MSFT; the rest of the world can only see that one share of MSFT was bought by someone, somewhere. The identity of the purchaser is confidential information.

How much are trees worth?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

Typically when you think of our green arboreal friends, you don’t think about monetary values. But with mounting insecurity about the environment and the potentially disastrous effects of global warming, people have put a premium on tree conservation. Specifically, Norway and Guyana (a tiny country in the northern part of South America) recently agreed to a deal that will net Guyana $30 million in 2010 for its efforts in conserving and maintaining its natural forests, which take up 75% of its landmass.

Guyana could earn up to $250 million by 2015, if everything goes well and the preservation results in curbing global carbon emissions. This novel concept could serve as a paradigm for limiting carbon emissions by contracting with developing countries with pristine forests, while simultaneously helping those same countries develop and grow in a prudent, sustainable, ecologically-friendly fashion.

Who is the United States’ biggest philanthropist?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

There are many big-time philanthropists in the U.S., but the biggest is none other than Bill Gates, founder of Microsoft. He and his wife, Melinda, started the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, which, among other things, spends approximately $800 million a year on medical research. In January 2010, the foundation pledged $10 billion towards vaccine research over the next ten years in an effort to vaccinate 90% of the un-vaccinated children in Third World countries. Melinda Gates estimates that the research will help save 8 million children’s lives over the next decade. The $10 billion dollars is a substantial increase over the $4.5 billion (approximately) that the charity allocated towards vaccine research in the previous decade.

Does An Increase In Donations Mean A Recovering Economy?

Wednesday, July 14th, 2010

In the first quarter of 2010, charitable donations rose sharply, which may indicate an economic recovery.

  • After donations to charity fell in 2009 due to the recession, first quarter reports indicate that 2010 looks much more promising.
  • Many charities are working on new fund-raising approaches in order to make donations seem more personal.
  • Even though things are looking up, it will still take a while for nonprofits to fully recover from the recession.

Facts and Figures

  • The median rate of growth for the 73 charities that The Chronicle of Philanthropy polled was 14%.
  • Donations decreased by about 12% in 2009.
  • The 73 organizations polled raised a total of $564.4 million more in the first quarter of 2010 than in the first quarter of 2009.

Best Quote

“The economy has certainly loosened up a bit, and that has loosened up how our donors feel and how we all feel.” – Joe Kender, Vice President for Advancement at Lehigh University

A Microfinance Company’s Surprise Shutdown

Tuesday, July 13th, 2010

The recent downsizing of one of the world’s largest microfinance companies raises the eyebrows of its staff and supporters…

  • Unitus, a Seattle based microfinance NGO, laid off its entire staff last week despite recent claims of overwhelming success in the field.
  • The company’s unprecedented announcement raised confusion among its staff and supporters. Experts speculate whether or not the decision was a conscious act to preserve Unitus’ philanthropic capital, or whether it cloaks more serious problems within the company.
  • In recent months, experts have become increasingly skeptical about the effectiveness of microfinance. Some are concerned that Unitus’ change in direction is actually a product of a shaky operation that was on the brink of collapsing.

Best Quote

“Microfinance has great promise and a fantastic mission. The question on everybody’s mind is, does it work?” – Deyan Vitanov, Chief Executive, Philanthropedia

Rebuilding in Haiti?

Monday, July 12th, 2010

Six months after the disastrous earthquake, the rebuilding effort in Haiti is slow.

  • U.S. relief organizations have received $1.3 billion since the earthquake, but experts fear that it’s not enough to fund rebuilding.
  • Nonprofits have provided a lot of food and water, but may not be focused enough on providing shelter.
  • Hurricane season is imminent and aid experts emphasize the need for stable structures and shelters, especially in under-served rural areas.

Facts and Figures

  • An estimated 230,000 people were killed in the January 2010 earthquake.
  • Clearing rubble and establishing land rights are the two main obstacles to construction.
  • 3,722 transitional shelters have been built – each houses a family of 5.
  • Nonprofits aim to build 125,000 transitional shelters by mid-2011.

Best Quote

“I feel really good about what the donor community did in this first six months. I would feel even better if I knew that the donor community was poised to stay active over the long haul.” – Regine A. Webster, Senior Associate for Disaster Philanthropy at Arabella Advisors

ACCION Ambassadors Take Off!

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Our friends at ACCION have some exciting news this week: Their pilot class of ACCION Ambassadors, representing six countries, began their respective departures this week to begin working with ACCION’s partners in Paraguay, India, and Mexico. You can follow their progress via the ACCION Ambassador Blog, where they will be documenting their experiences and impressions live from the field.

Solar Powered Plane Spends More Than A Day In The Air

Friday, July 9th, 2010

Solar power supporters are jumping for joy as a solar powered plane accomplishes the impossible…

  • On July 8, an experimental solar powered plane completed its first flight lasting more than 24 hours, marking a huge milestone in solar energy technology.
  • The plane, called the Solar Impulse, was piloted by André Borschberg. The plane gets its power from thousands of solar cells that absorb energy projected by the sun and store it so that the plane can continue its flight after dark.
  • The initial goal of the project was to prove that a plane of airliner-size could successfully stay aloft indefinitely by recharging its batteries each night. With the success of the Solar Impulse, the project’s founders hope to eventually create a plane that can circumnavigate the world using solar power.

Facts & Figures

  • The Solar Impulse weighs 3,500 pounds.
  • Total flight time was 26 hours and 9 minutes.
  • During the flight, the Solar Impulse reached a maximum speed of 78 miles per hour.

Best Quote

“I’ve been a pilot for 40 years now, but this flight has been the most incredible one of my flying career. Just sitting there and watching the battery charge level rise and rise thanks to the sun. I have just flown more than 26 hours without using a drop of fuel and without causing any pollution.” – André Bourschberg, Pilot

Charitable Foundations Finally Looking Up

Thursday, July 8th, 2010

Finally, some good news about philanthropy in the wake of the financial crisis!

  • Endowments for charitable institutions grew steadily last year, rebounding from the sharp declines of 2008.
  • Despite the rebound, many foundations and charities have still cut back on spending and giving.
  • Most foundations (55%) gave less in 2009, but a few (16%) gave more.

Facts and Figures

  • Hundreds of grant makers saw their investments increase by about 20% this year (compared to a 26% drop in 2008).
  • Charities and foundations carry a median debt of over $20 million.
  • 38% of charities spent less in 2009, 20% spent more.

Lower Charitable Tax Deductions Reduce Incentive To Give

Tuesday, July 6th, 2010

A proposal worries nonprofits as lower charitable tax deductions might keep donors from giving the big bucks.
  • Nonprofits in New York City are anxious that a state budget proposal will be implemented that greatly reduces tax deductions for charitable donations.
  • The proposal is meant to bolster New York’s sluggish economy by allowing the 3,500 New Yorkers who earn more than $10 million a year to deduct only 25% of their charitable contributions – instead of the 50% it is now.
  • If the proposal passes, it could generate up to $100 billion for the state, but it will also greatly decrease the incentive for high-income New Yorkers to donate to charities.

Best Quote

“Any proposal that could possibly decrease private giving is going to be a disaster for all nonprofits in New York City and throughout the state. The state cannot balance the budget on the backs of those in need.” – Michael Stoller, Executive Director, Human Services Council

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