philanthropy

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Oprah Makes Giving Competitive
Oprah Makes Giving Competitive
Mar 2, 2008 12:42 PM CST

Oprah Makes Giving Competitive

New show's contestants will compete to be the best philanthropist

(Newser) - Heavyweight philanthropist Oprah Winfrey will outsource giving to a whole new level tonight: Her new ABC reality show, “Oprah’s Big Give,” makes charity a competition. Contestants compete to raise money for needy folks and causes, and each week the lowest-earner is given the boot, reports the New ...

The House of Mirthlessness
The House of Mirthlessness
Feb 28, 2008 12:19 PM CST

The House of Mirthlessness

Drowning in debt, Edith Wharton's Mass. estate faces foreclosure

(Newser) - Edith Wharton's masterpieces include The House of Mirth, but the story of her own house is much less joyous. Her estate in the Berkshires of Massachusetts, currently a museum called the Mount that chronicles her life and career, is drowning under some $9 million in debt. Now, writes the Berkshire ...

Microsoft Pioneer Leaves $65M to Gay Rights Groups

Gates' high school pal leaves a record gift

(Newser) - One of the first five Microsoft employees has left $65 million of his estate to gay rights groups, the Seattle Times reports. Ric Weiland, who helped high school friends Bill Gates and Paul Allen launch Microsoft, committed suicide in 2006 at age 53. His donation is believed to be the...

New Breed of Billionaire Rises in Third World

Moguls turn into philanthropists to fund education, health care

(Newser) - A new type of billionaire with a philanthropic bent for social causes is emerging from once-poor nations such as Turkey, India, and Mexico, the New York Times reports. The billionaires, who generally made their money through investment in surging local markets, draw comparison to American titans of old such as...

You, Too, Can Donate Online
You, Too, Can Donate Online
Dec 13, 2007 10:07 AM CST

You, Too, Can Donate Online

AOL founder Steve Case hopes web will democratize philanthropy

(Newser) - AOL founder Steve Case’s foundation is launching a major online charity drive today, aimed at using social networks and encouraging small-scale donors to join the ranks of millionaires. The drive consists of a new app, “causes” on Facebook, and a spread in this Sunday’s Parade Magazine. Facebook...

Ditka Versus Da Charity
Ditka Versus Da Charity
Dec 11, 2007 11:45 PM CST

Ditka Versus Da Charity

Dissolves fund he established for ex-players

(Newser) - Hall of Fame Assistance Trust was little more than friends "just mailing out checks to Hall of Famers we knew were having problems," according to the legendary player, coach and founder of the organization, Mike Ditka. Ditka announced yesterday that he will dissolve the charity, which gave away...

Gates Aims $100M at Polio
Gates Aims $100M at Polio
Nov 27, 2007 4:30 AM CST

Gates Aims $100M at Polio

Foundation aims to eradicate disease

(Newser) - The world stands at the brink of eradicating polio, Bill Gates says, and his foundation yesterday awarded $100 million toward that end. One of the foundation's largest challenge grants will fund programs in four countries where the disease is still epidemic, notably Nigeria. The Rotary Foundation received the grant and...

He Quietly Gave Away Billions
He Quietly Gave Away Billions
Sep 29, 2007 10:39 AM CDT

He Quietly Gave Away Billions

But now the secretive philanthropist spills the beans behind his generosity

(Newser) - Chuck Feeney’s foundation gave $458 million in grants last year—third only to Ford and Gates—but very few know the secretive philanthropist’s name. Having thus far shielded himself from fame, Feeney gets some star treatment in a new biography that sheds light on his good deeds and...

Clinton Summit Pulls in Billions
Clinton Summit Pulls in Billions
Sep 27, 2007 7:19 AM CDT

Clinton Summit Pulls in Billions

Norway, Netherlands, Brangelina vow to help

(Newser) - Over 1,000 philanthropists pledged billions of dollars at this year's Clinton Global Initiative, where the ex-president annually brings together world leaders, corporate biggies and change-minded celebs. Angelina Jolie plans to educate 1 million children in conflicted areas; Brad Pitt pledged $5 million to build homes in New Orleans, and...

The Heart of Geekness Will Save Us All

Nerds grasp large-scale human suffering much better, Wired says

(Newser) - Why is Bill Gates, “practically a social cripple,” going to save the world? Because of numbers, says Clive Thompson in Wired. More than most, the Microsoft maverick -- who spearheads tireless crusades against poverty and AIDS -- can comprehend large quantities, while research shows that most of us...

Mystery Man Dumps Cash in Bathrooms
Mystery Man Dumps Cash in Bathrooms
Jul 12, 2007 12:02 PM CDT

Mystery Man Dumps Cash in Bathrooms

Flush benefactor has Japanese investigators following the money

(Newser) - The yen is in the toilet once again. Someone has left over 400 bundles, each containing about $80 worth of the stuff, in men's bathrooms all over Japan. The cash is being discovered in the powder rooms of government offices, along with notes enjoining the lucky gentleman who finds the...

Golf Tourneys Putt Short for Charity

Biggest beneficiaries are golfers, not philanthropies

(Newser) - As Tiger Woods's AT&T National tournament gets underway in Bethesda, corporate types are opening their wallets for the charity event—but, the Washington Post reports, their money may not go where they expect. Only about 15 cents out of every dollar raised by charity golf tourneys makes it to...

Philanthropist Bets $40M on Eco-Tourism

Greg Carr would put nature back in Mozambique nature preserve

(Newser) - Philanthropist Greg Carr wants to turn an African ecosystem around—and he’s willing to pay to do it. The tech-bubble whiz kid will spend $40 million over the next 30 years to restore Mozambique's Gorongosa National Park, destroyed during the country's 16-year civil war. Stephanie Hanes follows Carr as...

Kim Jong-Il Ate My Giant Bunnies!
Kim Jong-Il
Ate My Giant Bunnies!
Apr 5, 2007 9:24 AM CDT

Kim Jong-Il Ate My Giant Bunnies!

And German rabbit farmer is hopping mad...

(Newser) - Karl Szmolinsky sent giant rabbits to North Korea to alleviate hunger, and Kim Jong-Il ate them. The German rabbit farmer suspects that the twelve "German Grey Giants" he sent to the country were eaten at a birthday banquet for the dictator instead of being used in a breeding program...

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