philanthropyOz Blog

Australia & NZ top the ‘World Giving Index’

The “World Giving Index”, the largest study ever carried out into charitable behaviour across the globe, which ranked the Australia and New Zealand the most charitable nations in the world, has found that happier people are more likely to give money to charity than those who are wealthy.

The “World Giving Index” used a Gallup survey on the charitable behaviour of people in 153 countries representing 95% of the world’s population. The survey asked people whether they had given money to charity in the last month and to rank how happy they are with life on a scale of one to ten.

The study also measured two other types of charitable behaviour alongside giving money – volunteering time and helping a stranger. The “World Giving Index” combines the levels of each charitable behaviour to produce a ranking of the most charitable nations in the world.

In Australia, 70% of the population have given money, and 38% have given time; in New Zealand the figures are 68% money and 41% time. This compares with the USA where 60% of the population have given money and 39% time; and the UK which scored 73% and 29%.

Malta was found to be the country with the largest percentage of the population (83%) giving money, the people of Turkmenistan are the most generous with their time with 61% having given time to charity and Liberia was top of the list for helping a stranger (76%).

You can read more on the CAF UK website

ABS Not-for-profit Sector Draft Information Development Plan

The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) has the published a Draft Information Development Plan for the Not-for-Profit Sector. This publication outlines the ABS’ response to recommendation 5.1 of the 2010 Productivity Commission Report on the contribution of the non-profit sector to Australia’s economy and wellbeing.

The Productivity Commission made several recommendations to effect the collection and dissemination of data relevant to the non-profit sector, and also recommended that the ABS was best suited to draw up an information development plan that addressed statistical information needs for the non-profit sector, a measurement framework, the availability of statistical information, and avenues of future data development.

This Draft Information Development Plan is released to help guide discussion of the statistical needs and priorities for the sector and also to draw attention to the statistical potential of information held in government administrative systems.

Comments can be made on this publication, which should be addressed to Derick Cullen (d.cullen@abs.gov.au), Director, Macroeconomics Research Section Australian Bureau of Statistics.

» Download the Draft Information Development Plan for the Not-for-Profit Sector document here

Gandel’s $7m donation to the arts

Melbourne property magnate John Gandel and his wife Pauline have donated $7 million to the National Gallery of Australia, to be used to buy artworks and to help fit out a new reception hall that will open next month as part of the gallery’s $107 million redevelopment.
NGA Council Chairman Rupert Myer said the gallery’s new function space had been named Gandel Hall in perpetuity in recognition of the gift from a couple who were among the gallery’s founding donors when it opened its doors in 1982.
Australian donors used to loathe being named for fear of appearing boastful but in recent years they have adopted the American attitude that, by being outed, they might foster greater philanthropy here.

» Read the Australian Financial Review article, 26 August 2010 (Link available for AFR subscribers only)

» This story has been added to our Major Donations page

Billionaires commit to give half their wealth

As a result of launch of “The Giving Pledge” by Warren Buffett and Bill & Melinda Gates, some forty American billionaires and their families have pledged to give away at least 50% of their wealth. Each person making the plege has written a letter describing why they have done so, providing a fascinating insight into the philanthropic impulse.

» Read the full story on the Sydney Morning Herald website here
» Visit the Giving Pledge website to view the pledges

Transatlantic Community Foundation Network’s focus on Australia

Recently the Transatlantic Community Foundation Network (TCFN) spoke with Philanthropy Australia’s Andrew Lawson, to discuss issues and developments affecting Australia’s community foundations.

Their July 2010 newsletter featured this discussion covering historical development and sustainability of community foundations, Victorian State Government initiatives, as well as outlining formative stages of the emerging Fremantle Foundation.

You can read the article on the Community Foundations Gateway, download the full newsletter here, or visit the TCFN website to download this and other recent issues of their newsletter.

Change at Philanthropy Australia

After nearly five years as Chief Executive Officer of Philanthropy Australia, Gina Anderson has decided to step down from her role.

In thanking Gina for her contribution, the President of Philanthropy Australia, Mr Bruce Bonyhady AM, said “ I wish to place on record the appreciation of Council for the dedication and verve with which Gina has served Australian philanthropy while our Chief Executive.  Gina has ably overseen the development of Philanthropy Australia into an organisation with a truly national focus. She can be justifiably proud of the progress and achievements that have been made under her leadership and the Council wishes her well in her future endeavours.”

The effective date for Gina’s resignation is 30 September 2010, and the Council of Philanthropy Australia has appointed a search firm, Boardroom Partners, to handle the process for the recruitment of Gina’s successor, which is anticipated will take several months.

Download the media release on Gina Anderson’s resignation

Towards a Manifesto for a Thriving Not for Profit Sector

“Just as Governments depend on a thriving Not for Profit Sector for community well-being, so the Sector depends on Government for policy, regulation and funding support.”

Pro Bono Australia are urging the not-for-profit sector to take advantage of this election period to send a clear message to Julia Gillard, Tony Abbott and Bob Brown about how the Australian Government can improve and strengthen its support for the not-for-profit sector. To this end they have developed a short survey for you to express your opinion.

The survey, developed in collaboration with the Centre for Social Impact, is based on the recent Productivity Commission report on the Contribution of the Not for Profit Sector. It asks which Productivity Commission recommendations you would like the next Government to implement and, for some, how you would like them implemented. It includes questions about sector wages, funding, and regulatory burdens.

The deadline for completing the survey is 3 August 2010. Find and fill out the survey on the Pro Bono Australia website.

Asian Venture Philanthropy Network to launch

The following news appeared in the July Alliance e-bulletin:

Doug Miller and Rob John, two of the architects of the European Venture Philanthropy Association, are launching the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network. The network will be a pan-Asian organization, with headquarters in Singapore and local chapters covering India, Greater China, Japan and ASEAN countries. AVPN is currently recruiting for the post of executive director, to be based in Singapore with substantial regional travel. In addition to extensive Asian experience, candidates should have an entrepreneurial approach and be fluent in one or two Asian languages.

For more information go to: www.avpn.asia
For enquiries about the executive director post, contact doug@avpn.asia or rob@avpn.asia

The Giving Pledge: Buffett and Gates encourage wealthiest Americans to give

Warren Buffett has joined Bill and Melinda Gates in a new campaign urging billionaires to pledge the majority of their wealth to philanthropy, either during their lifetime or after death. The campaign follows meetings they have been holding across America to encourage other billionaire donors to commit at least 50% of their wealth to philanthropy.

Warren Buffett, who has committed to pledging 99% of his wealth to philanthropy either during his lifetime or at death, explains his reasons in his own Philanthropic Pledge:

Millions of people who regularly contribute to churches, schools, and other organizations thereby relinquish the use of funds that would otherwise benefit their own families. The dollars these people drop into a collection plate or give to United Way mean forgone movies, dinners out, or other personal pleasures. In contrast, my family and I will give up nothing we need or want by fulfilling this 99% pledge.

The reaction of my family and me to our extraordinary good fortune is not guilt, but rather gratitude. Were we to use more than 1% of my claim checks on ourselves, neither our happiness nor our well-being would be enhanced. In contrast, that remaining 99% can have a huge effect on the health and welfare of others.

More information is available at The Giving Pledge website: http://givingpledge.org/

Inquiry into Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010

Philanthropy Australia has submitted comments in response to the Inquiry into Tax Laws Amendment (Public Benefit Test) Bill 2010.

Excerpt:

We would direct the Committee’s attention to recommendation 7.1 of the Productivity Commission Report into the Contribution of the Not-for-Profit Sector as a more comprehensive and efficient way of ensuring clarity around the definition of charitable purposes.

RECOMMENDATION 7.1
The Australian Government should adopt a statutory definition of charitable purposes in accordance with the recommendations of the 2001 Inquiry into the Definition of Charities and Related Organisations.

» Download the letter to the Senate Economics Legislation Committee
» Available on the submissions page