One of the UK’s largest Cancer charities, Cancer Research UK, took a petition with 250,000 signatures to Downing Street last week, prompting the British government to take notice and act.

This led to the health secretary Patricia Hewitt acting upon the campaigners demands for an updated cancer place by confirming the place of cancer at the top of the government’s health agenda at the Britain Against Cancer conference in London.
Alex Markham, chief executive of Cancer Research UK, told the media that there were three main demands:

1. the plan must take account of the projected doubling in 15 years of people over 65, which will increase the number of cancer cases.

2. the issue of expensive medicines and screening techniques must be addressed

3. the impact of constant change in the structure of the NHS on patients must be assessed.

“This needs national debate about what value we place on increasing someone’s survival by a year. That requires some very open discussion. Also, how do we decide what a drug company is allowed to charge for a particular medicine?” he said.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Laws, News, Organizations

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In the next few weeks, I’ll be posting about several charities which can give you ideas for the Holiday season. Finding how and whom you can help is a good starting point if you want to GIVE at this very appropriate time, so read on.

Whatever The Need

Mission
“It is our priority to implement projects that will directly benefit individuals over the long-term in the most efficient way possible (‘direct action’). This enables sponsors of the charity to respond specifically to the needs of local people (rather than indirectly through Governmental or large Non-Governmental Organisations) thus enabling, where wished, a connection to be established between those making the donation and those benefiting from it.”

Focus
A holistic approach in the use and provision of water.

How They Help
In tandem with the provision of water is the building of houses and community centres in areas stricken by disaster. All projects are approached in the most environmentally sensitive manner possible to further the Trustee’s aim to safeguard the planet.

History
The charity began in 1997 and became a registered charity the following year. We began by delivering aid to the Chernobyl region in Ukraine, and later to the Balkans. In 2000 we turned our attention to HIV/AIDS stricken Africa. Over time we began to identify that the underlying problem facing many of the people we were helping was a shortage of clean water and toilet facilities, and the inevitable onset of intestinal problems.

The focus of our projects therefore turned to providing long-term water supplies, safe sanitation and irrigation systems over many parts of the world. This is evolving even further to incorporate ways of using water to benefit the environment as a whole, i.e. adopting a holistic approach whereby water can benefit people, livestock, crops and local habitat.

This work will include education on how vital the earth’s infrastructure is at all levels of life and how these environmental values can become part of day-to-day living.

Online Donations? Yes

Categories: Charities, Websites

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Christmas is coming!! People are in the mood for giving, and all around you there are more ways than ever to do so. At the office, in your neighborhood, at school….simply everywhere you look there is a good cause that becomes apparent during the holidays.

As wonderful as that is, there is unfortunately also reason to be wary. Just look at the recent death of the Crocodile Hunter. Sadly, some swindlers saw the opportunity to turn tragedy into cash, and the same rings true during this year-end yuletide season.

How do you see to it that you and your donations are protected?

Bennett Weiner of the Wise Giving Alliance, a national charity-monitoring organization affiliated with the Council of Better Business Bureaus gives some sound advice:

“The vast majority of charities out there are responsible and accountable, but people shouldn’t forget that while everyone is thinking about helping the needy and charitable giving, there are cons out there who hope to take advantage of them”

Weiner said con artists will try low- and high-tech means to get people’s money. One old con that’s still around involves someone calling on the phone and asking for money for a known charity and emphasizing that they accept credit card donations.

“Normally you wouldn’t think of giving your credit card number to a stranger on the phone,” he said. “But this is for charity. So people get taken in every year by this gimmick.”

The way to avoid such a scam is to ask for printed material about the charity. That will give you time to check out the charity — and confirm the address — before you send a donation, preferably by check, he said.

A high-tech scam generally involves an e-mail that contains a link to a named charity.

“If you open the Web site, it looks like the charity’s Web site, but it’s a false front,” Weiner said. “The con artist is trying to get your credit card number or other information for ID theft.”

Jody Wahl, president of the National Association of State Charity Officials, which is made up of state government officials who oversee charities, said a major concern at the holidays involves solicitations by lesser-known charities. Sometimes these groups adopt a name or slogan similar to a well-known group or a logo that mimics one from a better-known charity.

Weiner of the Wise Giving Alliance said there are a number “red flags”

Excessive pressure. Someone demanding an on-the-spot gift should raise concerns.

Overly emotional appeals. The solicitor brings tears to your eyes but doesn’t tell you much about the charity.

Unknown appealer. You don’t recognize the name of the money-raising group. Before giving any money, check out the charity, both Weiner and Wahl advise. Go to the charity’s Web site and find out exactly what it does, who serves on its board, how it spends its money.

Then go to the Web site of a private monitoring group such as the Wise Giving Alliance and read their report on the charity, or try a national site like Guidestar, which keeps track of the Form 990s that charities must file with the Internal Revenue Service.

Categories: Campaigns, Charities, Holidays, Ideas, Tips

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Have you ever wanted to start your own foundation or charity? Perhaps there was already a charity close to your heart, an issue you’ve always felt strongly about, or even something which involves a family member or friend?

Well heres a great idea I stumpled upon - you can now start your own private and personal foundation, complete with website, with easy ways for people to donate online. And you need much money to do it. Read on:

At Independent Charities of America, you can now set up your own personal, private, online foundation.

Through a simple process, you will be able to:

* Deposit contributions to your own foundation by credit card, check, or securities transfer at any time. The deposits you make to your foundation are charitable gifts, fully tax deductible to the extent permitted by law at the time you make the deposit.

* Nominate gift distributions from your foundation to charities, churches, or schools of your choice at any time. You are not limited to the charities found on this site.

* Accept email “proposals” from charities seeking funds, an option you can turn on or off at any time.

* To see an example of how this works, you can take the tour at the organization’s website here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the required contribution to my donor advised fund?

A: Your initial contribution to open a donor advised fund is $250. There is no minimum requirement for subsequent contributions.

Q: How often may I contribute to my fund?

A: As often as you like.

Q: What is the minimum requirement for recommending grants from my fund?

A: $25.00 per recipient.

Q: How do I receive a receipt for my contribution to my fund?

A: A receipt is issued by email. The summary report of all transactions in your account is also printable.

Q: May I allow funds to accumulate in my account in order to grow into a substantial amount?

A: Yes, and many donors do so. You can wait up to five years between deposits and nominations, providing you nominate at least 5% of the balance every year.

Q: Can someone other than myself or my family make a contribution to be credited to my personal/family foundation?

A: Yes, they can.

Q: If our club creates a foundation, who will get the tax deduction?

A: The club itself, if the club is the entity that makes the gift to ICA. The members receive the tax deduction if it is the individual members who make the gift to ICA.

Q: Can I contribute non-cash or non-stock gifts, such as real estate?

A: No, ICA can only accept check, credit card, or securities contributions.

Q: Can someone other than myself make nominations for distributions from my fund?

A: Yes, anyone with whom you share your email address and Personal Giving Number.

Q: I’m an employer. Can I have an at-work fund drive using the ICA system and let my employees fund their accounts by payroll deduction?

A: Yes. The employer needs to make special arrangements with ICA to facilitate reporting. This is easily done. Inquire by email to info@givedirect.org.

Categories: Charities, Families, Fundraising, Ideas, Inspiration, Tips

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The Wolong Nature Reserve in China’s southwestern Sichuan province, panda conservationalists were thrilled at the results of their 2006 breeding program, with no less than 16 totally adorable pandas born this year (see pic above).
The Sichuan Wolong Nature Reserve, China’s largest artificial breeding centre, implement many of the programs of Pandas International, the largest organization dedicated solely to the giant panda, considered to be among some of the most endangered animals in the world, with only around 1,000 left in the wild.

Pandas International supports panda nature reserves in their native China through medical research, breeding programs, veterinary care, medicine and medical equipment. Pandas International also focuses on habitat preservation and education programs to increase public awareness of the panda as a highly endangered species.

Part of the Independent Charities of America, the website of Pandas International is a great resource to get ideas on how to help. If you have children (who I am sore will have a soft spot for these cuddly animals), a kit can be purchased for $25 which can help them and their friends or class do a fun fundraising project to help save the pandas.

The website also has a shopping area with all sorts of both useful and fun panda items - proceeds of which go to help the pandas. A good way to start Christmas shopping!

Categories: Animals, Charities, Children, Environmental, News

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