Latest from Congress: IRA Charitable Rollover is Now Law
Just in time for your year-end giving, Congress has passed and the President has signed, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act of 2015. The Act has rendered the once temporary and subject to yearly renewal, IRA Charitable Rollover, permanent law. In line with the Act’s “Incentives for Charitable Giving” section, US citizens over… CONTINUE READING >>
Charity in the Checkout Line
As the holiday season hits its full stride and a new year looms on the horizon, many consumers watch the dollars fly out of their wallets as quickly as the calendar counts down the remaining days of 2015. Many of us even begin this sprint before we’ve had the chance to recover after our Thanksgiving… CONTINUE READING >>
Giving the Gift of Time
‘Tis the season, to be thankful, to go shopping…to volunteer? After Black Friday, Cyber Monday, and Giving Tuesday — just a few days later we have International Volunteer Day. Taking place on December 5th, International Volunteer Day is the next big event during the holiday season (for those curious, the full name is International Volunteer… CONTINUE READING >>
Thankful for Family Giving
As Thanksgiving approaches and we dream about just how high we can pile food on our plates, we also reflect on what this day means to us. Giving to others has been scientifically proven to bring us happiness. Many choose to make giving to charity a core tenet of their family values and structure, and… CONTINUE READING >>
Flushing Away the Issues, One Toilet at a Time
SDG #6: Ensure availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all Pehle Shauchalaya, phir Devalaya (peh-lay shah-cha-lay, fir they-va-lay). This might not say much to the those who don’t understand the Indian national language, Hindi, but the phrase – which translates to “Toilets First, Temples Later”- speaks volumes about the sanitation initiative sweeping… CONTINUE READING >>
A New Canadian Stereotype Worth Having: L’esprit de Générosité
O, Canada. There are many things that come to mind when people hear your name. A list of common stereotypes about Canadians could follow this sentence, but instead of rehashing tired generalizations, how about adding a new one? After all, not all stereotypes are negative. With the release of the 2015 World Giving Index (WGI),… CONTINUE READING >>
Cheers for Charity: Celebrating Veterans
This piece is presented by CAF America as part of the “Our Stories” series, which features personal stories and interviews with CAF America staff. The following is an interview with Ron Crognale, Director of Marketing and Communications, about his nonprofit, Party For A Purpose (DC). With the pillars of Friendship, Charity, and Community as their… CONTINUE READING >>
Does Prosperity Lead to Charity? Re-visiting the 2014 World Giving Index
Providing a “global view on giving trends” is the aim of the World Giving Index (WGI), the annual report of the Charities Aid Foundation that explores questions defining charitable behaviour across the world. As the release of the 2015 WGI quickly approaches, it is an opportune time to revisit last edition’s most memorable findings. Highlighting… CONTINUE READING >>
Trends in Diaspora Giving and Global Impact
Diaspora giving is not a novel idea or an emerging movement. Recent technological innovations however, have made it easier than ever for donors to support causes in their countries of origin. Historically, it has been common for immigrants and their descendants to maintain close ties to their native communities by sending money to family members… CONTINUE READING >>
Dollars to Rupees: When Diaspora Interests and Corporate Philanthropy Align
Over the past decade, international corporate philanthropy has undergone a significant transformation. Overseas gifts by U.S.-based companies were once made only in the face of natural disasters or violent conflicts. However, the globalization of business and the burgeoning zeitgeist that corporations must not only do well – but also do good – has led influential… CONTINUE READING >>
Latest from the IRS: New Standards for Equivalency Determination
Effective September 25, 2015, the IRS and the Department of Treasury have published final regulations concerning the practice of Equivalency Determination (ED). The Reliance Standards for Making Good Faith Determinations is welcomed news for grantmakers, as it clarifies the standards to be applied by international grantmakers in the process of making a good faith determination… CONTINUE READING >>
Cocoa to Commerce: When Challenges Become Opportunities
This piece was originally featured on the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation’s blog here. A simple paradox has presented itself across the globe in the realm of rural farming: How can smallholder farmers increase their productivity and incomes, when they do not have the financing and training needed to grow a substantial yield in the… CONTINUE READING >>
Searching for the Good in the Migrant & Refugee Crisis
On Thursday, September 24, 2015, Pope Francis addressed a joint session of the U.S. Congress for the first time in history, and made a “radical” statement about the dire circumstances that refugees are facing across the world — “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you”. Yes, that’s right, the Golden Rule…. CONTINUE READING >>
Partnering for Peace: Building Bridges and Burgers to Connect Cultures
We can all stop holding our breath — the much anticipated McWhopper is not going to happen.[1] The proposed jointly- created “peace burger” between Burger King and McDonald’s to celebrate the International Day of Peace on September 21st seems to have eluded us this time around– instead McDonald’s and Burger King… CONTINUE READING >>
Cross-Border Grant Making by Private Foundations
by JANE PEEBLES, J.D. As the world becomes increasingly globalized, international charitable giving by Americans has been steadily, and dramatically, increasing. Contributions by U.S. individuals and private foundations to fund charitable projects abroad are subject to complex tax rules. However, there are several of alternatives to effectuate international charitable giving while ensuring tax deductions… CONTINUE READING >>
The “What” of Millennial Giving: The Rise of Social Media Giving
Honoring the International Day of Charity on September 5th, CAF America published an article last week titled “Generation G: The Millennials and How They Are Changing the Art of Giving”, which explores the giving habits of the three biggest generations: Baby Boomers, Generation X, and the Millennials. With a focus on the tools popular with … CONTINUE READING >>
Generation G: The Millennials and How They Are Changing the Art of Giving
A great deal has been written about how Millennials fit in (or don’t) with their Generation X and Baby Boomer co-workers. We’ve heard how they are often pegged as being entitled and distracted, and the lengths employers go to in order to keep them engaged. We have also seen, however, that Millennials – using the… CONTINUE READING >>
Giving in the Spirit of Mandela Day: The State of Charity and Development in South Africa
Ted Hart, CEO – CAF America Nelson Mandela International Day, launched by the UN General Assembly in 2009, is a global call for service inspired by the legacy Nelson Mandela left behind. Celebrated annually on July 18 in honor of Nelson Mandela’s birthday, it is important to remember the message that led to its creation…. CONTINUE READING >>
PYXERA Global: Igniting CSR Innovation with Global Pro Bono: Part Two
PYXERA Global helps global companies design and implement a different kind of CSR initiative – global pro bono. Multinationals such as IBM, Google, SAP, The Dow Chemical Company, and dozens of others deploy their employees into emerging markets from one week to many months to work on pro bono assignments with influential NGOs, social enterprises, local… CONTINUE READING >>
Equivalency Determination vs. Expenditure Responsibility: Which is right for you?
Ted Hart, CEO – CAF America In an ever-shrinking world, U.S. grantmakers are increasingly turning their attention to charitable organizations beyond our borders. Before seeking to expand one’s philanthropic vision to include foreign organizations, it is important to understand the complexities that accompany giving internationally. Between the intricate nature of the tax code and the… CONTINUE READING >>
Charities Aid Foundation America Expands to West Coast, Led by Paul Kalomeris
Charities Aid Foundation America (CAF America), the nation’s leader in global giving, today announced the opening of a West Coast office to meet increasing demand from individuals, foundations and corporations for support on strategy and delivery of their worldwide charitable goals. Read More
#DefeatMalaria on World Malaria Day
Spring! Warm weather, sunshine, flowers, and… mosquitoes. In many parts of the United States, these annoying creatures come sooner than people would like. Fortunately, they’re usually no more than a nuisance. But what do they mean for people in other parts of the world?
Imagine a mosquito. It bites you. You get a bump, it itches, and a few days later it’s gone. That’s it, the end.
Except when it’s not. In many countries, that bite can mean so much more. It can mean malaria- illness, oppressive medical expenses, and death.
However, did you know that malaria is preventable and curable?