John has much experience working in the philanthropic world, and takes great interest in charitable goings on today.

Will Smith & Jada Pinkett Smith Travel to Ethiopia for Charity

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By JohnPosted In: PovertyTagged: , , , , ,

It’s nice to see some celebrities putting their money in the right place. On July 6, 2012, Will and Jada Pinkett Smith traveled to Ethiopia with charity:water.  Their plan started in 2010 when, rather than having birthday presents that year, they donated money to charity:water. They asked their fans to do the same and they vowed that they would take the top fundraisers on a trip to Africa.

With 2013 separate campaigns, they raised more than $789,000. The Smiths also raise another $109,000 on their own and all of this money was given to charity.

Along with top fundraisers, The Smile Generation and Authentic Jobs, Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith traveled to Ethiopia, spending two days in Tigray visiting communities and schools. They were able to witness the inauguration of one new well called Yellow Thunder in Meago village as part of charity:water’s 31st dig. Just in Tigray, charity:water has funded over 1000 water projects with its partners, A Glimmer of Hope, and Relief Society of Tigray.

As Will Smith told US Weekly,

“Our trip to Ethiopia with charity: water was an incredibly eye-opening and authentic experience. It was extraordinary to meet and spend time with the people of Tigray and to see first-hand how clean water changes everything for these communities.”

Kate Middleton Camps Out with ARK Organization Kids

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Kate Middleton’s love of nature is well known; her and Prince William’s definition of a perfect getaway consists of a romantic lodge with no electricity and lots of campfires and candles.

A source once described their engagement spot as “the safest place in the world for William. It is the one place he can be by himself. And he does not have to be guarded because the wildlife there are his guardians.”

It’s no surprise then, that the Duchess of Cambridge recently joined a group of 28 children in a campout as part of an ARK ‘Expanding Horizons’ primary school camp project that works to connect inner-city kids in an outdoor setting. ARK is one of the charities that Kate is supporting this year.

Kate joined the children in teepee building, a cookout and a bonfire, later sharing about her new life with royalty.

“Well, it’s been very busy and great fun,” she said. “but I am very well looked after. William is very sweet and kind of spoils me.”

One Charity is Cashing in on Federer’s Win

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A non-profit never knows where its next big check might come from. And little did Oxfam, an international charity that fights poverty, know that Roger Federer’s win at Wimbledon would bring them $157,750. But that’s exactly what happened this week.

Nine years ago when Federer won Wimbledon for the first time in 2003, Nick Newlife of Oxfordshire, England made a bet. He bet approximately $2000 that Federer would set the all-time record for the most victories at Wimbledon. His odds were 66/1 that he’s win seven titles by 2019.

Unfortunately, Newlife didn’t live to see his prediction come to fruition. Dying at the age of 59, he left his betting slip in his will to Oxfam. And they did get to reap the reward after Federer defeated Andy Murray on Sunday.

Oxfam’s Andrew Barton saw the cash windfall as a bittersweet financial gain for his charity. As he explained, “It’s just so unfortunate that he nailed it against Murray. I was just sitting there watching the tennis and I kept finding myself calling for Murray, particularly in that long game in the third set.”

Fortunately for Oxfam England’s hero didn’t win it this time.

Gates Foundation Puts Birth Control at Top of Its Priority List

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Bill and Melinda Gates are able to put significant sums of money towards causes of their choosing. For the last 15 years, they have been working to create and distribute vaccines in under privileged areas of the world through their Gates Foundation.

Now, Melinda Gates has recently announced that they plan to put birth control on their international agenda by making it her signature issue. This week, the Gates Foundation and the British government plan to convene a summit of world leaders in London. Their goal is to raise $4 billion to offer contraceptives to another 120 million women in the poorest of countries.

A Catholic, Melinda understands that her efforts are going to pit her against the Catholic Church. She is trying to explain her goals and diffuse that controversy. When she kicked off her initiative at the Berlin TEDxChange talk, she explained that,

“We’re not talking about abortion. We’re not talking about population control. What I’m talking about is giving women the power to save their lives, to save their children’s lives and to give their families the best possible future.”

The Catholic world has accused Belinda of mounting a “blatant attack on Catholic sexual morality.” The Gates Foundation has created a website where they are asking people to share their personal stories about birth control and offer their support to the effort.

Get Down with Music in Action

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If you love music, then “Music in Action” is a concert series that you won’t want to miss. In addition to the music that you’ll be able to enjoy, you’ll also be supporting quite an interesting cause. ProtestTunes.com has just announced the series of live shows that they’ll be putting on, starting with a kick-off performance at Echoplex in Silverlake, California that will take place on Thursday, July 12th.

Bands that have confirmed their attendance at this show include: Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses Guitarist) Jill Sobule (Singer/Activist) Corey Parks (Nashville Pussy Bassist) Cody Marks (Singer/Songwriter) Zach Blair (Rise Against Guitarist) QBN Montana (Latin hip-hop DJ) And very special guests from Austin, Texas — English Teeth w/singer Elijah Ford.

Tickets will cost $25 and all proceeds will go directly to Jail Guitar Doors, founded in the US in 2009, and intended to help to rehabilitate prisons through music.

Wayne Kramer from the rock bank MC5 started Jail Guitar Doors in the US with singer-songwriter Billy Bragg. Kramer called their organization “the loudest charity on earth.” As singer-songwriter Jill Sobule explained,

“In prison, we always think of it as punishment. But we forget the rehabilitation and redemption.”

Taking his idea and turning it into action, co-founder of Jail Guitar Doors Wayne Kramer will now join with co-creator of ProtestTunes.com Adam McKay to create this new project.

“Music and activism have always gone hand in hand from Woody Guthrie to the Clash to Rage Against the Machine. With ProtestTunes.com, we’re hoping to provide some of the background score for a new age of civic involvement. Plus, it’s fun as hell and the tunes rock.”

As Wayne Kramer explained the joint project, “Adam McKay and his wife Shira Piven were JGD’s first board members and the first to step up to support justice reform. They are themselves artists and activists and they understand that there is a connection between our shared missions: A message of education, action and expression for social change. Now, let’s make some noise together.”

No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament for a Great Cause in Vegas

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Things are heating up in Las Vegas at the moment (aren’t they always?) for a good cause. The World Series of Poker taking place right now includes a no-limit Texas hold ‘em tournament that will last until Tuesday. The tournament has, to date, raised $5.5 million for One Drop, a Montreal charity that supports clean drinking water.

The tournament requires a $1 million buy-in and grew out of a conversation that Guy Laliberte, the founder of One Drop, and Mitch Garber, the chief executive of Caesars Interactive Entertainment had.

Many heavy-hitters are taking part in the tournament, including hedge fund manager David Einhorn. He has staked $1 million of his own money on the charity tournament, which will be awarding $18.3 million to the winner.

Mr. Einhorn’s goal is to donate any proceeds that he wins towards City Year, a Boston-based organization that works with public schools to prevent dropouts.

Other entrants at the tournament from the investment realm include Daniel Shak of SHK Asset Management and Chamath Palihapitiva, a venture capitalist. Last year, Mr. Einhorn lasted until day two of the tournament; in 2006 he managed to finish in 18th place and to earn $600,000 for a charitable cause. As a spokesman for Mr. Einhorn, Jonathan Doorley, said, “David believes that to solve the education crisis, public schools have to succeed through creative and proven initiatives. City Year is at the forefront of making needed improvements within the education system.”

Be Bold, Be Bald! with Small Army for a Cause

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Small Army for a Cause has just opened an invitation to all cancer-related 501c3 organizations to benefit from its 4th annual fundraiser that will take place on November 2nd. This event called Be Bold, Be Bald! Has already raised almost $500, 000 and has had more than 4000 participants across the U.S. The event is a day when participants all wear a bald cap all day to honor cancer patients and to raise money for charities that are related to cancer.

During the 3rd annual event, they raised money for 25 cancer related charities. Beneficiaries included The Jimmy Fund, The Lance Armstrong Foundation, UCLA Jonsson Cancer Center and Aimee’s Army, among others.

As Jeff Freedman, the founder of Small Army for a Cause explained, “Be Bold, Be Bald! is an opportunity for all cancer organizations – large and small – to join together for one day to honor those that they are fighting for, and raise money for their organizations. We are honored to be able to help so many great organizations accomplish their unique missions.”

One of the brilliant things about Be Bold, Be Bald! is that there are no physical or time constraints on the activity. Anyone, anywhere can participate as long as they are willing to wear a bald cap for one day and to raise money through their action.

501c organizations can request to be a beneficiary of the event just by going to the event website. Learn more about the Small Army for a Cause and about their Be Bold,Be Bald! program today.

Duet Between Warren Buffet and Jon Bon Jovi for Charity

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The Forbes 400 Summit on Philanthropy got some surprise entertainment this week as Warren Buffet and Jon Bon Jovi joined together for a duet. The Berkshire Hathaway chairman pulled out his ukulele on Tuesday to sing Bette Midler’s song, “The Glory of Love.” Mr. Bon Jovi, when getting ready for the duet, admitted that, “I’m more nervous now than I’ve been on stadium stages.”

Their performance was intended to emphasize the main points of the private meeting about charitable giving. The lyrics began, “You’ve got to give a little…” Mr. Buffett, with a net worth estimated at $44 billion has encouraged many other wealthy families to give away most of their fortunes to charity.

Jon Bon Jovi, similarly, has done a great deal of charitable work. He heads the Jon Bon Jovi Soul Foundation which offers food and affordable housing to the needy.

Ryan Zimmerman Honored with the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award

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Ryan Zimmerman, Nationals third baseman, is going to be honored with the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. This award is presented each year to the major league player who best shows the character of the Hall of Famer – both in his playing and off of the field.

On July 6th, Zimmerman will be honored before the Nationals game against Colorado. He’s being honored for his charitable work with his ziMS Foundation which raises money for multiple sclerosis.

One night a year, Zimmerman is given the stadium to raise money for his charity by hosting a yearly event at the Nationals Park. The event raised more than $300,000 last year.

Zimmerman will actually be the first National or Expo who is being given the Lou Gehrig Memorial Award. The award is handed out by the Phi Delta Theta Fraternity at Columbia University.

Elton John & Tennis Joining Together to Fight AIDS

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Smash Hit from 2010

If you enjoy tennis, Elton John or assisting foundations that combat AIDS, then you may just be in luck. On October 16th, the 20th annual night of Smash Hits tennis to benefit the Elton John AIDS Foundation and the Pittsburgh AIDS Task Force at the Peterson Events Center in Pittsburgh.

In addition to the concert by Sir Elton John, there will be 43 Grand Slam singles championship player in attendance including Billie Jean King, Andre Agassi, Steffi Graf and Andy Roddick. As Pittsburgh Mayor Luke Ravenstahl said when announcing the event this week at City Hall, “We’re really excited about this and we look forward to welcoming fans from all over the country and the world this October. It’s another opportunity for us to showcase our great city, specifically around a sports event. This is clearly a sports town.”

As World Team Tennis commissioner Ilana Kloss joked, “The most interesting thing you’ll see is Elton John playing tennis. He does play in a pro-celebrity set to kick off the evening. … He has a huge forehand, but I always joke with him, saying it’s a good thing he’s got a music career as a backup.”
After Elton John shows the audience his tennis moves, the event will include five sets of tennis: men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles, women’s doubles and mixed doubles.

Watch out for ticket sales starting July 16th. And seats are limited with a capacity of about 7000.