CAF America Celebrates UN Day
On October 24, 2017, the CAF America team gathered in our headquarters in Alexandria, Virginia to celebrate the 72nd birthday of the United Nations. As an organization that helps Americans support important causes across the world, CAF America has been aligning our grantmaking with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) since 2016. As a staff,… CONTINUE READING >>
IRS Publishes New Guidelines for Equivalency Determination
Many international grantmakers in the U.S. were very pleased when in 2015 the Department of Treasury published its final regulations called “Reliance Standards for Making Good Faith Determinations.”
Philanthropy and the SDGs: A Real Opportunity or Just Another Set of Buzzwords?
In September 2015, the 193 Member States of the U.N. unanimously adopted the new global agenda. These 17 goals and 169 targets will decide the world’s common action towards tackling some of the most encumbering problems of humanity during the upcoming 15 years. But who, exactly, is this world that is taking action? The proponents… CONTINUE READING >>
Aspen Institute transitions the Diaspora Investment Alliance to CAF America
Washington, DC, February 17, 2016 – The Aspen Institute today announced the transfer of the Diaspora Investment Alliance (DIA) to Charities Aid Foundation of America (CAF America), the nation’s leader in global giving. The DIA will reside independently under CAF America who will evolve the initiative under its leadership and unique global footprint. DIA’s… CONTINUE READING >>
Gross Domestic Philanthropy: An international analysis of GDP, tax and giving
Out of 24 countries representing 75% of the world’s GDP, the U.S. has ranked #1 in generosity. A recent paper published by Charities Aid Foundation — Gross Domestic Philanthropy: An international analysis of GDP, tax and giving –– looked at data provided by the selected countries to determine whether a correlation existed between GDP growth… CONTINUE READING >>
The Sustainable Development Goals: A Plan for 2016 and Beyond
As we find ourselves only a number of days into 2016, it’s the time of year when many of us commit to altering our lifestyles in an attempt to abide bold resolutions. The beginning of this year, however, marks an important benchmark for humanity itself. The world — under the auspices of the United Nations… CONTINUE READING >>
Latest from the IRS: Proposed Rule for Gift Substantiation Withdrawn
As of January 2016, the IRS proposal on gift substantiation has been withdrawn. The proposed regulation would’ve resulted in nonprofits collecting, storing and reporting donors’ Social Security numbers. The Substantiation Requirement for Certain Contributions, a voluntary reporting regime proposed by the IRS, has been one of the most recent victims of public outcry. In line… CONTINUE READING >>
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 >>
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 >>
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
Year End Giving
When deciding to make a tax deductible donation, many philanthropists limit their gifts to domestic charitable organizations that are registered as 501(c)(3) non-profit corporations. International giving is an option…Learn more.
Hungary’s Crackdown on NGOs—Part of Global Trend
CAF America’s John Holm co-wrote this insightful article on the trend of countries, like Hungary, cracking down on foreign NGOs claiming they need to limit foreign interests and influence. Read the full article.
Soliciting Tax Deductible Donations in the US: Do I Need to be a 501(c)(3)?
In 2005, philanthropic contributions by individuals reached an all-time high, accounting for 2.4% of disposable income. In the subsequent decade we have seen that number fluctuate due mostly to economic hardship and general financial volatility worldwide. Despite facing many of the same issues that can negatively affect American non-profit organizations, however, foreign charitable organizations have enjoyed a rapid increase in giving over the last decade.
» Featured Article: Leading the Way to Greater Global Giving
Featured in the Stanford Social Innovation Review, this article by our CEO Ted Hart discusses how celebrating collective generosity in the United States can boost philanthropy worldwide.
» Blog: The Intersection of Philanthropy: Shared Value – An NGO Perspective
This is the first article in a series entitled “The Intersection of Philanthropy.” The series will focus on the changing notion of ‘corporate social responsibility’ in the private sector and how businesses are moving toward a more integrative and strategic approach.
