Aggregated External News

One of the paradoxes of engaging in social media is that the busier you are doing things that are actually worth blogging or tweeting about, the less time you have to blog and tweet.

These past 4 months I have been immersed in rich data on rich givers – writing up a year of in-depth study of UK philanthropists for a new book Richer Lives: why rich people give, co-authored with the wonderful Theresa Lloyd, which thankfully – after many many late nights of writing and re-writing – was sent off to the printers last week and will be published on the 30th September.

I’ll write more about the findings once I don’t risk spoiling the media embargo, and once I’ve got off my chest all the things I’ve wanted to write about but have been too busy to breathe never mind blog.

The first ‘something worth blogging about’ is a new effort to encourage more open data on philanthropic activity. The Indigo Trust  is helping to promote an important initiative to encourage UK donors to be more transparent in their grant making. As a researcher, I’m obviously all for people sharing the detail of how much they give and to what causes, but there is a much more important agenda at stake here than making the lives of researchers that bit easier. Opacity favours none and causes concern to many – we all know there is a climate of suspicion about philanthropy and philanthropists in the UK, so why not dispel some misconceptions about the shady goings-on of rich givers and cast a light on what they actually do, rather than what the cynics think they do?

In a note of the first meeting to discuss this initiative, Indigo explain the benefits better than I can:

We believe that being transparent in itself is the right thing to do, but the reasons for encouraging openness go far beyond this.  In summary, openness makes grant making better.  We believe that opening up grant data will enable more effective collaboration amongst funders and between civil society and funders, allow for more effective strategic planning which will ensure that money gets to where it’s needed the most, enable grant-makers to assess their impact and demonstrate this to the public and enable analysis of interventions across a whole sector such as health or higher education.

If you want to keep up with developments then check out the Open Philanthropy UK blog  – and if you’re a philanthropist keen to emerge from the shadows and shine a spotlight on your giving decisions, then do get in touch!

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Forty years ago on August 15, 1973, the U.S. military ceased all military actions and airstrikes in Vietnam, ending the war for the United States. Four decades later, the war is still not over. Unexploded bombs and landmines left over from that conflict still claim lives and limbs.

Since 1973 there have been over 40,000 civilian deaths and 60,000 injuries. Just this month a nine-year-old boy is lucky to be alive after he was burned from head to toe and broke his arm from an encounter with a piece of war-era unexploded ordnance.

To mark this anniversary with a call for action and more funding to address this issue, a group of celebrities and other notable professionals are collectively saying, “40 Years is Too Long, But Not Too Late.” They are supporting a campaign to benefit Mines Advisory Group America (MAG) and Clear Path International (CPI) in their work to remove unexploded ordnance from Vietnamese soil and assist accident survivors.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10593-stars-speak-out-on-impact-of-unexploded-bombs-on-civilians-in-vietnam

On September 24th, 2013 Padres Contra el Cancer (PADRES), a non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life for children with cancer and their families, will celebrate its 13th annual fundraising gala, “EL SUENO DE ESPERANZA” in partnership with AEG Live and Club Nokia at L.A. LIVE.

Actress, Activist, Philanthropist and PADRES National Spokesperson, Eva Longoria will serve as Gala Chair, as the star-studded celebration honors two of the largest names in Latin music and entertainment, Alejandra Guzman and Joan Sebastian. These multiple award-winning artists will be recognized with the organization’s Champion of HOPE Award, for personifying courage against cancer with strength, determination, dignity and most of all HOPE.

The Spanish-themed evening will also include special performances by world renowned flamenco singer and percussionist, Antonio Carmona and international flamenco entertainers Manuel Gutierrez and Fanny Ara. More than 400 celebrities and leaders in business, entertainment and philanthropy are expected to attend as the event has garnered a stellar roster in previous years which include: Alejandro Fernandez, Andy Garcia, Daisy Fuentes, George Lopez, Demi Lovato, Derek Fisher, Edward James Olmos, Eva LaRue, Felicity Huffman, Kerri Walsh Jennings, Marcia Cross, Mario Lopez, Matt Barnes, Paulina Rubio, Sugar Ray Leonard and many others.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10592-eva-longoria-chairs-padres-contra-el-cancer-gala

Retired NBA Legend Shaquille O'Neal and his mom Lucille sounded the morning alarm — literally — as part of one of the Largest Wake Up Calls on Thursday, August 1st in New York City.

Shaq O'Neal runs the obstacle course

It was a signal to the start of a unique event where hundreds of teenagers competed in a creative obstacle course designed to dramatize the daily activities of all kids getting ready for their school day. But… they were challenged by difficulties, distractions and disturbances that made their attempt to get to school and receive that final diploma a huge undertaking.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10591-shaq-oneal-runs-obstacle-course-for-charity

Actor and Musician Jencarlos Canela returned this week from a trip to Haiti with the International Rescue Committee – an organization in which he is very involved.

Jencarlos Canela Visits Haiti
Credit/Copyright: Eugene Maurice / International Rescue Committee

While there, he performed at the opening of Haiti’s Carnival of Flowers before an enthusiastic audience that included Haiti’s president, Michel Martelly. Jencarlos also visited a number of International Rescue Committee programs in Port-au-Prince to see how the IRC has been helping communities as they recover from the devastating earthquake of 2010.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10590-jencarlos-canela-visits-haiti-with-international-rescue-committee

SodaStream, whose mission is to eliminate bottles and cans to significantly reduce our global carbon footprint, awarded environmentalist, author and fashion designer Lauren Conrad with the SodaStream UnBottle the World Award.

SodaStream Honors Lauren Conrad with the first SodaStream UnBottle the World Award for her environmental commitment to creating solutions for a more sustainable tomorrow at the Young Hollywood Awards

Conrad was honored at week’s Young Hollywood Awards for her environmental commitment. Her XO (eco) accessories line has upcycled more than three million bottles and kept over 128 million disposable alternatives out of landfills.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10589-lauren-conrad-honored-with-sodastream-unbottle-the-world-award

Jimmy Carter has written about hope in the Middle East in an email sent to supporters of The Elders.

“Anyone who pursues a career in politics is no stranger to making unpopular decisions – as a former President, I know this very well,” he wrote. "There are times when you will suffer vociferous opposition for doing what you believe is right and just. Putting aside the short-term political advantages in favour of serving the broader interests of humanity takes enormous courage.

“Courage is what the Middle East needs today. In Washington DC last week, we heard from Secretary of State John Kerry directly about his impressive work bringing the Israelis and Palestinians together. Later, in London, we had long discussions with Palestinian leaders. The two sides have the opportunity now to resume negotiations in what is almost certainly their last chance to secure peace.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10588-jimmy-carter-writes-about-hope-in-the-middle-east

Foreigner and the Grammy Foundation have launched a Public Service Announcement campaign in support of music education!

High schools across the United States. can submit a 15-30 second PSA stressing the importance of music in schools and the great music teachers who have encouraged them along the way.

The background music of the PSA should be a Foreigner song of the school’s choice, performed in any style by the school choir. Suggested talking points are:

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10587-foreigner-launches-psa-campaign-to-support-music-education

The role for the voluntary sector must be to bridge the gap between education and employment, experts say

The 'lost generation' seems an apt moniker for today's young jobseekers. Recent ONS figures show 1.09 million young people aged 16 to 24 in the UK are not in education, employment or training (Neets). Just over half (53%) are classified as unemployed.

At a recent event hosted by the Guardian in association with NPC, 'Can we prevent a "lost generation ?: the role for the charity sector', Paul Gregg, professor of economic and social policy, University of Bath, explained that from the 1980s and 1990s recessions, "we have learnt that a young person who has accumulatively had a year out of work by the time they are 24 are 70% more likely to have a further spell of unemployment five years later [...] roll on a further 10, 15 years, and you get a lost generation [...] they never really catch up."

The role for the voluntary sector, experts speaking at the event agreed, must be to bridge the gap between education and employment. Currently, said Gregg, "There is no single government department responsible for this transitional period [...] between leaving school and entering work, and that gap has widened for a lot of people. Half of Neets have never worked at all [...] This is where the charity sector can do a lot of good work, to keep them active, keep them connected and bridge that space."

However despite the vast array of voluntary organisations and public sector bodies attempting to do just that, it often proves frustrating. Cllr Rachel Heywood, cabinet member for children and families, Lambeth, informed that working in one of the country's most deprived areas, "the landscape is incredibly complicated. We have hundreds of different providers in Lambeth and something more is needed around co-ordination and making a more coherent offer... I can say to a young person that there are 500 organisations out there, and they reply 'but I have not been able to get any advice or help whatsoever'. That's absolutely got to change."

As part of its co-operative council model Lambeth has set up the Young Lambeth Co-operative (YLC), a youth-led committee to review and design youth initiatives. Abraham Lawal, a young representative of the YLC, said, "the previous way of youth service provision, as I have seen things, has been top-down, council-led, dictated at times, a lack of dialogue, and tokenistic – this has produced services that young people don't want or, worse, are not aware of [...] This is where the YLC comes in. As a membership organisation, young people are represented at all levels [...] acting as a nexus through which all parties interested in young people can enter."

The Princes Trust, working with 58,000 young Neets this year, focuses on bridging the gap through a portfolio of programmes designed to cover all stages from 13 to 30. "This takes young people from our education programmes right up to accessing employment", informed Richard Chadwick, the Trust's director of central operations. "A 13-year old might take part in a Prince's Trust XL club in a school, all the way up to our Enterprise programme for self employment." Each programme aims to provide quality work experience opportunities, typically in partnership with private sector employers such as RBS, M&S and HSBC.

Rhian Johns, director of policy and campaigns, Impetus - The Private Equity Foundation, provided the funders' viewpoint, agreeing that, "if a young person can recall four or more employer contacts whilst they are at school, they are five times less likely to be Neets [...] however many donors and businesses often comment that they want to work with schools, they want to work with young people and provide mentoring opportunities, but they find it quite difficult – sometimes schools are quite reticent, or they don't have a dedicated member of staff to do that. So organisations like us play an important bridging role, speaking the language of both business and charity." Johns also suggested that every school should have a governor dedicated to providing a link to local employers.

However some delegates argued that current funding mechanisms do not encourage cross-sector partnerships. "It can be difficult to work in partnership with the voluntary sector, we all have different expectations", said Heywood. "We've got to stop trying to carve out a chunk for ourselves, guarding it fiercely, and then saying 'let's try and work together'." Similarly, said Rosie Ferguson, a delegate from London Youth, "funding-specific interventions incentivise us in the voluntary sector to claim that we have magic bullet interventions, whereas actually what's really going to work is funding cross-sector partnerships to deliver against a set of principles that we know to work."

Sasha Leacock, a delegate from Forest Hill School, also responded, "I'm from a school, my role is to develop projects and partnerships for exactly this kind of thing. But funding is hard to access and if you want to make partnerships and join networks, because we're small we're a nobody [...] we've got a music project at the moment where we tried to develop some work experience and get young people learning about the music industry, [but] when I approach funders I was told 'oh, we only work with this set of schools in this area'... we talk about scaling up but its really difficult when the support isn't there."

Chadwick conceded that approaching large employers is easier for large charities such as the Princes Trust, but stressed that the biggest drivers of growth for new jobs are small to medium-sized local businesses. Also, he warned against chasing funding. "In the old days I would say we were quite funding-driven, looking for opportunities and adapting our programmes to those; we are more outcomes driven now. We've found that if you find those outcomes from the start, then the funding will often follow."

There was also some frustration in the room over the loss of effective policy measures such as the Future Jobs Fund and the Education Maintenance Allowance. Dan Corry, chief executive, NPC, and former head of Number 10 policy under Gordon Brown, offered an effective summary: "I feel very strongly that the voluntary sector mustn't lose its advocacy and campaigning role over issues it cares about, whether funders or providers. And the phrase the 'lost generation' – although I totally understand why people resist it – at the moment we need a bit of anger about the situation we're in... frankly there's not enough decent jobs that pay decent wages with decent progression opportunities. It is the voluntary sector's role to say, 'we will try and help these young people, but we [also] need the right policies to create more jobs and more hope'."

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Thursday’s mid-year release of the Blackbaud Index shows overall charitable giving up 2.2% and online giving up 14% for the first six months of 2013. More importantly, it should remind us all that now — today, or tomorrow at the latest — is the perfect time to get started planning for online year-end fundraising, tuning up your donation pages and learning more about best practices so you’re ready to act when December rolls around. More on year-end preparation in a moment. First, a look at overall fundraising trends for the first half of 2013 compared to last

In order to survive—and thrive—nonprofits need to diversify their funding sources. In addition to individual giving, grants are another piece of a well-rounded funding plan. Of course, the best way to succeed in getting grants for your organization is to have a solid plan in place for securing them. Creating a calendar, having a documented grantseeking process, and using a decision-making matrix can help you to identify the right grants for your organization.

So, what if you don’t have a solid grants strategy in place? You’re in luck.

Cynthia Adams, CEO of GrantStation, will be our special guest at 1pm EDT on Tuesday, August 6, 2013 for Network for Good’s next free webinar, Building a Powerful Grants Strategy.  Register for this free webinar on creating your grants strategy and make a plan for securing the right grants for your projects. I hope you’ll join this session—Cynthia is sharing useful worksheets and will be answering your questions to help you target and win the grants your nonprofit needs.

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The folks at PETA have proclaimed Kristen Bell and Dax Shepard 2013’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrities — but what about peta2, PETA’s youth division?

Young people are flocking to peta2.com to cast their votes and help peta2 decide whom it should name as the winners of peta2’s Sexiest Vegetarian Celebrity 2013 contest. This year’s teen-friendly nominees include heavy metal rockers, MMA fighters, drag queens, and a whole host of Hollywood favorites. The winners — one male and one female — will be announced August 19.

This year’s winners could be film stars such as Anne Hathaway, Alicia Silverstone, Kristen Wiig, Natalie Portman, or Jason Schwartzman, or top honors could go to TV’s Daniella Monet, Tia Mowry, or Rocsi Diaz. Big Bang Theory costars Johnny Galecki and Kaley Cuoco could sweep the male and female categories, or it could come down to a run-off between country starlets Carrie Underwood and Kellie Pickler. And when it comes to double threats, actor and musician Jared Leto faces fierce competition from comedian and actor Russell Brand.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10586-petas-youth-division-launches-2013-sexiest-vegetarian-celebrity-contest

The TJ Martell Foundation is proud to announce the addition of Greyson Chance and Emblem3 to their impressive lineup of artists for its 14th Annual Family Day on Sunday, September 15th, 2013 at Roseland Ballroom in New York City.

“I am honored and excited to be performing for an organization that truly helps our society,” says Greyson Chance who, at fifteen years old, has already had a number one single, performed live on Ellen and Good Morning America and has shared stages with iCarly’s Miranda Cosgrove and Big Time Rush, previous Family Day honorees.

As the breakout band on the hit show X Factor, amassing over 15 million YouTube views, Emblem3 is another amazing addition to this year’s event. According to the band members, “We are so excited to be performing at this year’s Family Day with such an incredible lineup of artists supporting the T.J. Martell Foundation. We are stoked to be able to do our part to help in the fight against leukemia, cancer and AIDS.”

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10585-greyson-chance-to-join-ed-sheeran-and-jason-mraz-at-charity-family-day

E-commerce startup Traina Interactive Corp. today announced the launch of IfOnly, an online charitable platform that connects users with their favorite luminaries in a way never dreamt possible, while benefitting trusted charities.

A private dinner party hosted by famed chef Michael Chiarello, three days in Aspen with golf legend Greg Norman, and a Las Vegas weekend getaway with tennis superstars Andre Agassi and Stefanie Graf are just a few of the dream experiences available at any price point to those passionate about food, wine and spirits, sports, entertainment and travel.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10584-hang-out-with-the-stars-and-help-charity

Rugby star Danny Cipriani and TV presenter Rachel Riley have put their best feet forward in neon footwear to ‘walk all over cancer’ by supporting Cancer Research UK's night-time walking marathon, Shine.

Cancer Research UK Shine Danny Cipriani
Credit/Copyright: Cancer.org.uk

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10583-danny-cipriani-walks-all-over-cancer

Scores of superheroes are set to flood the streets of Salt Lake City. USANA Health Sciences Inc., a global nutritional company, is hosting its annual superhero-themed USANA Champions for Change 5K charity event on Saturday, Aug. 17, at 7 a.m. at the Energy Solutions Arena (100 S. 300 West).

Dr. Mehmet Oz, two-time Emmy Award-winning host of the three-time Emmy Award-winning The Dr. Oz Show, will serve as the master of ceremonies for the event. He will also lend his superpowers to lead a warm-up and run alongside supporters of the USANA True Health Foundation, which will receive 100 percent of all proceeds.

“USANA’s relationship with HealthCorps, the charitable foundation created by Dr. Oz and his wife, Lisa Oz, developed out of a shared commitment to promoting health and wellness," said Dave Wentz, USANA’s chief executive officer. “USANA and HealthCorps are both advocates of healthy living. In fact, I had the honor of recently speaking at a wellness event Dr. Oz hosted in New York City. USANA is thrilled to support HealthCorps and as a measure of gratitude, Dr. Oz has graciously accepted our invitation to run in honor of our charitable foundation.”

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10582-dr-oz-to-mc-champions-of-change-event

Here is your chance to go on an “all-you-can-eat” tour of See’s Candy Factory in Los Angeles plus meet business magnate, investor, and philanthropist Warren Buffett! And as an added bonus, Mr. Buffett will demonstrate the only acceptable way to eat a bonbon!

A charity auction is giving you this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to benefit Communities in Schools, the largest dropout prevention organization in the US.

Warren Buffett is widely considered the most successful investor of the 20th century. Buffett is the primary shareholder, chairman and CEO of Berkshire Hathaway and consistently ranked among the world’s wealthiest people. He was ranked as the world’s wealthiest person in 2008 and as the third wealthiest person in 2011. In 2012, Time magazine named Buffett one of the most influential people in the world.

More: http://www.looktothestars.org/news/10581-eat-bonbons-with-warren-buffett