November 2011
N7 Fund and CAFAmerica:
Making a difference in Native Communities
In September 2007, Nike unveiled its Air Native N7 shoe, the first shoe designed specifically for American Indians. All profits from the sale of the shoe are reinvested in health programs for tribal lands, where problems with obesity, diabetes and related conditions are near epidemic levels in some areas. The N7 shoe was designed with a larger fit for the distinct foot shape of American Indians, and has a culturally specific look. Today, it is one of the most sought after shoes as both the look and story appeal to consumers.
Nike established the N7 Fund at CAFAmerica to collect the proceeds from the sale of N7 products. The Nike N7 Fund is a DAF that provides funding to Native American and Aboriginal communities and organizations in the US and Canada in support of sports and physical activity programs for youth.
The last weekend in October, Nike held its first annual Nike N7 Sport Summit. The summit brought together experts in sport and wellness to share best practices with nonprofit and tribal organization representatives from across both countries. As a valued partner, Nike asked CAFAmerica to attend and co-host one of the sessions. This provided a fantastic opoprtunity for Tyler to represent CAFAmerica on a panel and learn more about the challenges the Nike N7 Fund is looking to address.
Summit Speakers including Nike CEO, Mark Parker, White House Chef Sam Kass, Nike N7 Ambassadors Waneek Horn-Miller and Craig Robinson, and Nike N7 General Manager Sam McCracken all shared words of support and inspiration with the 350 attendees over two days of learning. Everyone Tyler spoke with left the conference at Nike's Beaverton, Oregon headquarters rejuvenated and excited to return to their communities and continue their vital work.
While through this partnership CAFAmerica has become more aware of some of the issues plaguing Native communities, the Sports Summit gave Tyler the opportunity to speak with organizations that work daily to combat these problems: 39% of Native Americans residing on a reservation live in poverty; 32.4% of Native Americans are obese; and 68.1% are living with diabetes. Perhaps most distressing is the suicide-rate among Native Americans, which is 127% times the national average.
Though addressing these issues in different ways, most attendee organizations face the same challenge that nonprofits all over the country are dealing with: ensuring they have enough funding to continue their work. Many Native organizations in the US however, are not registered 501(c)3s, and as a result find attracting institutional funders difficult. As the administrator of the Nike N7 Fund, CAFAmerica was invited to the Sports Summit to offer solutions to this very problem. Along with Mike Roberts of the First Nations Development Institute (FDNI), we answered the question, "Do I need to be a nonprofit to receive funding?"
Ultimately the answer was that an organization needs to be charitable, but that "charitable" and "501(c)3" are not necessarily equivalent. The Federal Government recognizes donations to tribal organizations as tax deductible under Section 7871 of the IRS tax code. Unfortunately, a lack of understanding amongst funders - and even among Native groups themselves - has become a roadblock to fundraising. Fortunately, CAFAmerica works with organizations like these to bridge the gap between traditional funding practices and nontraditional organizational structures such as 7871s.
Funding domestic organizations is not normally within our scope of work, but given the broad reach of the Nike N7 program, and it's funding of nontraditionally charitable organizations, CAFAmerica is able to leverage its core expertise to serve as Nike's partner. Last year 38 grants were made from the Nike N7 Fund to organizations in US and Canada, and we hope that this number will grow as awareness of these issues, and the work that Nike is doing, grows.
For more information on the Nike N7 Fund, click here. To learn more about Native issues and supporting Section 7871 tribal organizations, visit the FNDI website here.
Sex and the City Star’s Donation Helps Keep
Vancouver Youth Theatre Going
Last year (March, 2010), Kim Cattrall, famous actress well-known for her role in the glamorous TV show Sex in the City, made a generous donation that helped buy British Columbia’s Vancouver Youth Theatre (VYT) what it needed: time. The donation, facilitated by CAFAmerica, went to many un-glamorous, but necessary, expenses such as utility bills and computer equipment. Thanks to Kim Cattrall’s donation, VYT’s Board of Directors was able to make the decision to keep going. The donation also supported goals for 2010-2011, such as: the continuation of long-standing VYT projects like Kids’ Writes, which promotes literacy in elementary schools, acting programs for teens and links with VYT Alumni.
VYT has long been a staple of Vancouver’s robust arts community. Founded in 1983, the organization’s members, ages 7-18, partner with professional directors to create, perform and tour original plays and musicals in their community and elsewhere. In the wake of provincial funding cuts for both arts and education budgets, VYT’s collaboration with local schools is a vital partnership for both.
“It’s really important that we work together, share space, focus on collaboration and work to pool our resources,” says Heather Duff, VYT’s Artistic Director. “This is a key period of re-evaluation requiring a new vision about how VYT connects with the arts community and with the larger community.”
Although VYT has modified its programming to fit budget constraints, Duff notes that Kim Cattrall’s donation was critical and helped maintain the integrity of the theatre. “We may not have some of the fancier things this year, but even if the program is modified, we still maintain our mission statement about creative partnership with youth and a sense of inclusiveness for a diverse population.” Through VYT, children gain confidence, self-esteem and leadership skills that stick with them throughout adulthood.
During her visit to Vancouver for the screening of her latest film Meet Monica Velour (May 19, 2011) Kim Cattrall spoke out about BC’s arts-funding cuts. In an interview with The Georgia Straight,Cattrall also remarked on the subject: “You know, I was paid $50,000 to appear in a commercial for the Olympics and I don’t need that money, thank God, and I gave that money to a theatre in Vancouver (Vancouver Youth Theatre) and I did it because I wanted everybody else to do it…And our legacy as Canadians is the Canadian way of life and how we see the world, which I think is very relevant. And we have brilliant writers, performers, actors, directors and I just want to say that we need to support that, especially in British Columbia.”
Despite its recent challenges, VYT continues to soldier on, making a difference in the lives of youth, carrying out performances in donated spaces and looking towards the future with enthusiasm and determination. To make a donation to the Vancouver Youth Theatre, please click here.
To watch Kim Cattrall speak out against B.C. arts-funding cuts, click here. To view Shaw TV’s news segment on VYT and the arts cuts, please click here.
October 2011
An Impressive Year For Global Giving
Thanks to the continued investment of our Donors, the fiscal year ending April 30, 2011 was nearly a record setting year for CAFAmerica, with more than $26 million in donations raised to serve the needs of communities globally. Ranging from conserving natural resources in the Lower Zambezi to meeting the needs of Mongolian orphans, CAFAmerica continued its work across six continents and in more than 85 countries (click here for highlights).
Perhaps most significant, we responded to the destructive floods and cyclone in Australia, and devastating earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. In partnership with organizations on the ground in these countries, CAFAmerica was able to provide immediate support to assist in disaster relief efforts.
As the barriers to global giving continue to shrink, our donors and the nonprofit partners we serve are realizing the important impact that support from the US can have. Charitable giving to international affairs was the fastest growing philanthropic subsector last year (15.3%) according to Giving USA 2011. As more donors become aware of their options for effectively supporting foreign nonprofits, we believe this number will continue to grow.
Throughout our work, CAFAmerica prides itself on being a careful and conscientious steward of its donors' money. As a result, in FY 2010/11 over 97% of CAFAmerica's total income went towards programs, with only 2.7% covering management and fundraising expenses.
To get a sense of the impact our donations made, click here.
Julian Taplin: Making a Difference in Rural China
In 2005, Julian Taplin, an American educator and philanthropist, first laid eyes on the run-down, leaky, drafty school buried in the mountains of Southwest China's Sichuan province.
Thanks to his hard work, and a close partnership with CAFAmerica, a completely refurbished and reinvigorated school was open to students just two years later in 2007.
Four years on and with the transformation of the school complete, fundraising for Phase Two is underway to support the addition of an art and physics lab and expanded living facilities for staff.
It is a philanthropic success story than spans two continents, and underscores the foundation of CAFAmerica's mission: offering expertise for global giving solutions.
To Read more, click here.
December 2010
CAFAmerica in the News
Launch of US/Dutch giving solution
DUTCH TAXPAYERS BENEFIT FROM CHARITABLE GIVING TO CAF AMERICAN DONOR FUND
Gifts Now Through CADF Recognized as Tax Deductible by Both U.S. and Dutch Tax Services; New 5-Year Giving Contract Allows for More Flexibility with Personal Philanthropic Goals.
ALEXANDRIA, VA///December 8, 2010///CAFAmerica annnounced today that Dutch taxpayers -- including Dutch workers in the U.S., current and former Dutch attendees of U.S. college and institutions, and dual Dutch/US citizens - can now make tax deductible gifts through the CAF American Donor Fund (CADF), which is recognized as a ANBI (Algemeen Nut Beogende Instelling) by Dutch tax authorities.
CADF operates as a charity in the US, the UK and Holland and gifts made to it are simultaneously tax deductible in all three countries. Therefore, a Dutch or Dutch/US donor who pays tax in either or both the US and Holland may make a gift to CADF that will be permitted by both US and Dutch tax authorities. CADF was recognized as an ANBI in 2009 but the service was only launched by CAFAmerica in 2010.
This service primarily benefits Dutch taxpayer donors, which includes the Dutch expat working in the US as well as the US expact working in Holland. However, it can also assist Dutch-only taxpayer donors who want to make a donation to a charity that is not itself an ANBI. Read more... To read other stories related to this news please click here.
October 2010
CAFAmerica's Review 2007-2010
CAFAmerica's Annual Review for 2007-2010 is now available online. CAFAmerica would like to thank all of our grantees that help so many people around the world. To read the review, please click here.
September 2010
CAFAmerica in the News
World Giving Index
See How Countries Rank according to the World Giving Index. Please click here.
The recent World Giving Report was mentioned by several organizations. A short list of the stories can be found below.
For a full list, please click here.
Listen to a live feed of CAFAmerica’s World Giving Index teleconference on September 8, 2010 – click here
WGI 2010 Measures Charitable Behavior of World in Three Major Categories: Personal Giving, Volunteering Time and Number of People Willing to Help a Complete Stranger
WASHINGTON, D.C.///September 8, 2010//The United States ties for fifth place with Switzerland in a new “World Giving Index 2010” (WGI 2010) report issued today by the Charities Aid Foundation America (CAFAmerica), a member organization of the United Kingdom-based Charities Aid Foundation international network of offices. The review of the state of giving in 153 countries representing 95 percent of the globe’s population is the most ambitious study of its kind to have ever been attempted.
The U.S. posted impressive numbers in all three WGI 2010 categories – with 60 percent in the U.S. giving to an organization, 39 percent volunteering time and 65 percent willing to help a complete stranger. The Index ranked Australia and New Zealand as the most charitable nations in the world, followed by Ireland and Canada in third and fourth place respectively. Read more... To read the full report please click here.
August 2010
Devastating Monsoon Flooding in Pakistan
Flooding in northern Pakistan, which began nearly a week ago, is estimated to have killed as many as 1,500 people. As floodwaters recede, the count may surge higher. Nearly 2.5 million people have been affected by the floods including more than a million displaced Afghan refugees who have been living in this region due to unrest in their home country.
Roads, highways and bridges have been washed out leaving many out of the reach of assistance. Lack of clean water is putting people at high risk to water-borne diseases. Moreover, forecasters envision more rain this week. Monsoonal rain in the region typically lasts through mid-September.
If you are interested in supporting organizations responding to this disaster, CAFAmerica recommends the following relief organizations: Disasters Emergency Committee, OXFAM Great Britain, Medecins Sans Frontieres, and Save the Children UK. To make a donation now, please click here.
March 2010
MASSIVEGOOD
CAFAMERICA announced on March 4, 2010 that it has partnered with the Millennium Foundation to establish the “MASSIVEGOOD America Fund”. The new fund will channel contributions to Millennium Foundation’s MASSIVEGOOD charitable campaign, designed to mobilize new sources of innovative funding to achieve the three health-related UN Millennium Development Goals: fighting HIV/AIDS, malaria and tuberculosis.
Travelers in the United States will be able to “click” on MASSIVEGOOD on commercial travel websites like Travelocity and Accor Hotels and through travel agents, and contribute $2 or more to the Fund.
For more details, please see below.
Masterpieces- A Film By Spike Lee
Directed by Spike Lee and featuring Mary J. Blige, Samuel L. Jackson, Professor Brian Greene, Susan Sarandon and writer Paul Auster, this film - entilted Masterpieces - explains the simple idea behind the MASSIVEGOOD movement.
Spike Lee's Masterpiece - Making of a Massive Film
will.i.am and Yvonne Chaka Chaka Click for Good
will.i.am and South African diva Yvonne Chaka Chaka record the MASSIVEGOOD anthem in New York City.
January 2010
Earthquake Devastates Haiti
At 5:14 p.m. on Tuesday, Jan. 12, 2010, a magnitude 7.0 earthquake struck southern Haiti, the U.S. Geological Survey reported. According to the Red Cross, the earthquake affected roughly one in three Haitians -- about 3 million people. A number of humanitarian aid organizations have initiated a search and rescue response. Most are seeking monetary donations rather than material items or volunteers at this time.
CAFAmerica recommends that donors consider supporting U.S. and Canadian relief and development organizations. The Red Cross of Canada and Canada CARE are currently eligible with CAFAmerica. If you would like to support victims of the Haitian earthquake, please click here.
For a full list of organizations assisting in the search and rescue response, please click here.
  
Photo - Reuters / Daily Mail
December 2009
CAFAmerica in the News
CAFAmerica's recent press release about a Donor-Advised Fund run by CAFAmerica that will manage donations from sales of Bob Dylan's new Christmas album, "Christmas in the Heart" was mentioned on several websites. The full list of the stories can be be found below.
September 2009
Earthquake Rock Sumatra
News wires and the Associated Press reported on September 30, 2009 that, a massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake devastated Western Indonesia. Thousands have died and hundreds are trapped under rubble. Heavy rainfall, blocked roads and damaged telecommunication lines have hindered search and rescue efforts.
The Red Cross Red Crescent Movement and the U.S. have already pledged relief supplies and support. CAFAmerica works with the Red Cross Red Crescent as well as other humanitarian relief nonprofits that are supporting response efforts. If you would like to support the victims of the earthquakes please click here.
Photo - J. Adiguna / Jakarta Post
Tsunami in the Pacific
News wires and the Associated Press reported on September 29, 2009 that, a massive tsunami triggered by an 8.0-magnitude earthquake devastated Samoan villages and swept cars and people out to sea, killing many and leaving dozens missing Wednesday. In some instances, entire villages were flattened or submerged by the tsunami.
New Zealand and Australia along with U.S. have already pledged relief supplies and support. CAFAmerica works with the Australian Red Cross as well as other humanitarian relief nonprofits that are supporting response efforts. If you would like to support the victims of the tsunami please click here.
Photo - Raj Borsellino / Reuters
July 2009
CAFAmerica in the News
CAFAmerica's recent press release was recently mentioned on several websites. The full list of the stories can be be found below.
Barclays Wealth Survey 2009
75% of wealthy individuals (UK & US) haven’t reduced their giving despite the recession - Barclays Wealth Survey 2009. If you would like to read the entire survery, please click here.
Earthquake in China
An earthquake recently struck the Yunnan Provice of China, killing over 350 and destroying thousands of homes. If you would like to support the victims of the the recent earthquake in China, please click here.
CAFAmerica is on Twitter
June 2009
CAFAmerica and the One Women Initiative
The One Woman Initiative today publicly announced its first grants, totaling more than $500,000 to five grassroots organizations in Azerbaijan, Egypt, India, Pakistan and the Philippines. The grants are being made though CAFAmerica to locally focused organizations with results-oriented programs providing women access to legal rights, political participation, and economic development. To listen to the teleconference, please click here.
CAFAmerica in the News
CAFAmerica's work with the One Woman Intiative was recently mentioned on several websites. The full list of the stories can be be found below.
March 2009
CAFAmerica in the News
CAFAmerica's March news release was recently mentioned on several websites. The full list of the stories can be found below.
Slumdog Millionaire
The recent success of the Oscar winning film, Slumdog Millionaire, has aided charities working to improve the quality of life for the children of India according to the CAF Press Office. CAFAmerica works with many non-profits, including Railway Children, SOS Children's Villages of India and Save the Children as well as other organizations who work in the "slums" of India. If you would like to help the children of India to escape poverty, please click here.
February 2009
Australian Bushfires
The Australian Government is asking people who wish to help the victims of the recent bushfires to do so through the Australian Red Cross. CAFAmerica works with the Australian Red Cross as well as other humanitarian relief and nature conservation nonprofits that are supporting response efforts. If you would like to support the victims of the fires, please click here.
Photo -- Koala by Mark Pardew / Associated Press
October 2008
CAFAmerica Announces New Fee Structure
CAFAmerica is in the process of amending its fee structure. As information available on the website may be outdated, please contact info@cafamerica.org for current fees associated with the Single Donor Advised Gift (DAG), Donor Advised Fund (DAF) and Friends of Charity Funds (FOCF).
A message from CAFAmerica's Chief Executive Officer
Message from CAFAmerica Chief Executive Officer, Susan Saxon-Harrold: "CAFAmerica has no exposure to U.S. and international banks that are currently in difficulty or to the stock market. Donating to Donor Advised Funds, Matched Donor Advised Funds and 'Friends of' Charity Funds remains unaffected and CAFAmerica is continuing its grant making as normal."
August 2008
CAFAmerica Sets New Record for Borderless Giving
Borderless charity giving leader CAFAmerica is reporting today that donations topped $30 million for 2007-2008, a 53 percent increase from the previous fiscal year. The rise in donations included a $2 million donation from the PepsiCo Foundation – the largest ever of its kind for CAFAmerica – and a high-net-worth individual contribution of $5.5 million, another record for the organization.
MORE
May 2008
CAFAmerica responds to and engages in worldwide disaster relief efforts. For more information, please see below.
Cyclone in Burma - Take Action Now
Susan Saxon-Harrold, CEO of CAFAmerica, comments on the need for immediate response in Burma. "The recent cyclone has brought untold devastation on the people of Myanmar (Burma) with the UN's humanitarian agency indicating there was a risk of an humanitarian catastrophe unless a massive operation began. As we know from the news, international aid is being impeded from reaching people on the ground, which makes it difficult for donors to make gifts that will reach those in need. Whilst this is undeniably a challenge, CAFAmerica encourages donors to support charities with direct experience working in the country and an understanding of its culture.
According to John Holmes, United Nations Humanitarian Chief, the death toll could be 'in the region of 100,000 or even more.' Millions more are homeless.
Below is a list of nonprofits that meet the specification above and who are working with the UN and others to direct aid to the estimated 1.5 million survivors in need. I hope you will feel compelled to assist any of our charity partners' work to deliver effective and immediate aid to the region."
British Red Cross N Wales
British Red Cross Society
Canadian Red Cross
Canadian Red Cross Society - Ontario Zone
Canadian Red Cross Society Ottawa
CAF Australia - Burmese (Myanmar) Cyclone Appeal
CARE Canada
CARE France
CARE UK
Medecins Sans Frontieres Australia
Medecins Sans Frontieres Canada
Medecins Sans Frontieres UK
OXFAM Australia
OXFAM Hong Kong
OXFAM Ireland
Red Cross of NIS
Red Cross Victoria
Rode Kruis-Vlaanderen International VZW (Belgian Red Cross, Flanders)
Save the Children Australia
Save the Children Canada
Save the Children UK
Singapore Red Cross Society
World Vision Ireland
UNICEF Australia
UNICEF Canada
UNICEF France
UNICEF UK
In addition, our colleagues at Give2Asia have a 'Disaster Recovery Fund for Burma Cylone Efforts.' Funds raised for the relief efforts will be granted to organizations on the ground in Burma working directly with affected communities. For donors interested in supporting this recovery effort in Burma, you may contribute online at: www.give2asia.org/burma-cyclone.
To find out how US grantmakers are responding, learn more.
Earthquake in China - Take Action Now
"As China reels from the deadly earthquake in Sichuan province on May 12th that left up to 50,000 dead and 25,000 people trapped, there is no time to lose to save the lives of survivors. Whilst the relief effort from the Chinese authorities has been swift and extensive, thus far it is clear that needs range from shelter for survivors, to funds to re-build schools, hospitals and community infrastructure," says Susan Saxon-Harrold, CEO of CAFAmerica.
CAFAmerica works with a number of international humanitarian relief nonprofits that are supporting response efforts. If you would like to make a donation to CAFAmerica for the benefit of these organizations, please see the list below.
Find a Nonprofit and Donate Now
China Youth Development Agency
Disasters Emergency Committee
International Rescue Corps
Medecins Sans Frontieres of Australia
Medecins Sans Frontieres of Canada
OXFAM Australia
OXFAM Hong Kong
OXFAM Ireland
Red Cross of Australia
Red Cross of Canada
Red Cross of Singapore
Red Cross of UK
Save the Children Canada
December 2007
Charities Aid Foundation America launches new website to help US individuals, families, foundations, corporations, and non-US nonprofits step up "borderless" philanthropy.
Trends in online giving
The internet is helping to connect nonprofits with donors in virtually every corner of the world, demonstrated by a dramatic rise in online donations in 2006. Online giving solutions are not only convenient for donors, they also save time and resources for nonprofits.
MORE
CAFAmerica releases Issue Brief on HIV/AIDS
Nearly 40 million people around the world are infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, and that number is growing each year. In 2006, 2.9 million people died of the disease, 95 percent of them in the developing world.1 The U.S. philanthropic community is also responding with funding. According to a recent Funders Concerned About AIDS report, estimated funding commitments by U.S.-based philanthropies grew to $979 million in 2006 (an increase of more than 177 percent from 2005).
August 2007
CAFAmerica’s presentation at Third Hemispheric Congress on Fundraising
Denise Simpson, Director of Donor Advised Giving, presented at The Third Hemispheric Congress on Fundraising – Latin America. Over 400 Latin American nonprofit organizations attended the Congress in Mexico City, which was hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.
View Denise’s presentation on ‘Fundraising Opportunities from the US – Cross border Philanthropy’.
September 2011
An Impressive Year For Global Giving
Thanks to the continued investment of our Donors, the fiscal year ended April 30, 2011 was nearly a record setting year for CAFAmerica, with more than $26 million in donations raised to serve the needs of communities overseas. Ranging from conserving natural resources in the Lower Zambezi to meeting the needs of Mongolian orphans, CAFAmerica continued its work across six continents and in more than 85 countries (see below for highlights).
Perhaps most significant, we responded to the destructive floods and cyclone in Australia, and devastating earthquakes and tsunami in Japan. In partnership with organizations on the ground in these countries, CAFAmerica was able to provide immediate support to assist in disaster relief efforts.
As the barriers to global giving continue to shrink, our donors and the nonprofit partners we serve are realizing the important impact that support from the US can have. Charitable giving to international affairs was the fastest growing philanthropic subsector last year (15.3%) according to Giving USA 2011. As more donors become aware of their options for effectively supporting foreign nonprofits, we believe this number will continue to grow.
Throughout our work, CAFAmerica prides itself on being a careful and conscientious steward of its donors’ money. As a result, in FY 2010/11 nearly 95% of the organization’s operating budget funded programming with only 5.5% covering CAFAmerica’s operating expenses.
To get a sense of the impact our donations made, here are some highlights of this past year’s grantmaking:
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