Posts Tagged ‘charity’

« Older Entries

Would you like a tax write-off with that sandwich?

Friday, May 20th, 2011

panera-interior-2.jpg
© 1999-2011 Panera, LLC. All rights reserved

“The lesson here is most people are fundamentally good,” [Panera founder and Chairman Ronald] Shaich said. “People step up and they do the right thing.”

The “right thing,” in this case, is choosing to pay the full retail price (or more) for a bagel at one of Panera Bread’s pay-what-you-want restaurants. These locations are nonprofit, and “prices” are actually just suggested donations. Any money left over after paying the utility bills and workers’ salaries (i.e. overhead) goes to Panera’s charitable foundation.

This is genius for two reasons:

1. Amazing PR for Panera

2. Combining hunger and peer pressure to make people donate to your charity

Seems like it’s getting easier every day to spend money. Is this the new philanthropy? Are $10 text donations just the start? Anything that gets people to donate more money to good organizations is progress in our book.

You have to wonder, though. Is this kind of giving the way you really want to spend your donation dollars? Impulse giving is kind of like impulse shopping – it will probably make you feel good about yourself at the moment (especially if you just ate a delicious sandwich), but it doesn’t usually reflect who you are or where your values lie.

And it definitely goes against the sage advice to do your homework before you give someone your money.

Pop Star Turns President In Haiti?

Friday, August 20th, 2010

Some speculate that the political influence of singer Wyclef Jean could encourage charitable giving to Haiti.

  • Hip-hop star Wyclef Jean recently declared his candidacy for president of Haiti, a move which will undoubtedly draw attention to his charity, Yele Haiti.
  • Yele Haiti has had a mixed impact on Haiti and its people, and many criticize its poor management and uneven distribution of resources.
  • Mr. Jean, with a bad record of handling his personal finances, has faced scrutiny over his political intentions.

Facts & Figures

  • After the earthquake, Yéle Haiti’s 2006 tax filing revealed $350,000 in questionable payments to two companies that Mr. Jean and his cousin control, including $250,000 to a Haitian television station they had just acquired.

Best Quote

“It is problematic if he [Wyclef Jean] uses this money, which historically has not been well spent, for political purposes,” – Mario Joseph, Human Rights Lawyer, Haiti.

Indian Billionaires Reluctant To Give

Wednesday, August 18th, 2010

In a country wrought with poverty, giving to the poor becomes a challenge in its own right.

  • Bill Gates and Warren buffet, two of the wealthiest individuals in the world, recently pledged to give half of their net worth to charity.
  • The pledge has been replicated by 38 other American billionaires, but in India – home to two of the richest people in the world – wealthy individuals have not made the same commitment.
  • Those billionaires contacted regarding the challenge evaded commenting on the subject.
  • Experts say that Indian billionaires donate less because the opportunities for giving are fewer and often tainted by corruption.

Facts & Figures

  • Indians collectively donate 0.6% of their country’s GDP to charity. While Canada donates 1.3% and the U.S. 2.2%.
  • Just 10% of charitable giving in India comes from individuals or companies, compared to 75% in the United States.

Best Quote

“Indians just don’t trust the organizations that want money or that they could give to. Often they find themselves in the position that even if they want to give, there is no mechanism available to them by which they could give.” – Emily Harrison, Founder, Innovaid

Tony Blair Turns Profit Into Charity

Tuesday, August 17th, 2010

The former British Prime Minister cleans up his image by donating millions to injured soldiers.

  • Tony Blair plans to donate millions in earning from his forthcoming memoir to charity for injured troops.
  • The proceeds will go to the “Battle Back Challenge Center”, a facility that will provide sports and rehabilitation services for wounded personnel.
  • Despite Blair’s donation, he is still under scrutiny. Families of some of the hundreds of British troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan have criticized him for earning millions from the sale of his book and public speaking since leaving office.

Facts & Figures

  • Random House paid and estimated $7.5 million for his book, “A Journey”.

Best Quote

“I am delighted to accept this very generous donation.” – Chris Simpkins, General, Royal British Legion

Philanthropy As A Badge Of Wealth

Monday, August 16th, 2010

Philanthropy becomes a symbol of wealth as more billionaires pledge their fortunes to charity.

  • Warren Buffet and Bill Gate’s philanthropic challenge to the wealthy encourages more wealthy families to give.
  • As a result, philanthropy is rapidly becoming a status symbol.
  • Not only is there a growing expectation for wealthy families to give their money away, they are expected to be actively involved in philanthropy.
  • Some are worried that if philanthropy is seen as a privilege of the wealthy, it will devalue the charity endeavors of regular Americans.

Facts & Figures

  • Individual Americans gave more than $227 billion in 2009.

Best Quote

“Clearly pressure on the elite is high right now to say that they are giving money away and that will make it trendy. People who have enough money to give away but maybe haven’t thought about that… those folks will want to do what Warren Buffett and Bill Gates are doing.” – Stacy Palmer, Editor, The Chronicle of Philanthropy

Floods Bring Displacement And Disease To Pakistan

Friday, August 6th, 2010

In a country thats infrastructure is already unstable, a disastrous flood seems like the last straw.

  • The worst floods in the history of Pakistan have devastated the country, killing thousands and leaving millions homeless.
  • Many fear that the lack of clean drinking water and the close quarters of survivors is the perfect breeding ground for lethal diseases such as cholera.
  • The flood came at a time when the Pakistani government was already struggling under a weak economy and a brutal war against Taliban militants.

Facts & Figures

  • The flood has forced 2 million people from their homes.
  • The death toll from the flood has ranged from 870 to 1,200.

Best Quote:

”We are reaching people at their doorsteps and in the streets, especially women and children who are stuck in their homes.” – Saqib, Activist, Falah-e-Insaniat charity

He Will Walk 500 Miles And More For Charity

Thursday, August 5th, 2010

A twelve-year old boy who chooses philanthropy over video games makes an epic impact in the world of charity.

  • Twelve-year old Zachary L. Bonner intends to walk from his home in Tampa, Florida all the way to the Pacific Ocean to raise money for his charity The Little Red Wagon Foundation.
  • Bonner founded The Little Red Wagon Foundation when he was only six years old. It raises money for homeless children across the United States, providing them with school supplies, food, clothing and toys.
  • Zachary tries to cover at least twenty miles a day and has already walked 1,950 miles. He is accompanied by his mother and friend and followed by 1,600 people via Twitter.

Facts & Figures

  • This year, Zachary raised $120,000 dollars for The Little Red Wagon Foundation.
  • Elton John pledged $50,000 to The Little Red Wagon Foundation if Zachary makes it to Los Angeles.

Best Quote

“He’s just like every other kid, except he likes to do community service work for some odd reason. He likes doing it. It’s weird.” – Laurie Bonner, Mother, Zachary Bonner.

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

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

« Older Entries