Category Archives: Finance

Educathalon Sets New Record

Educational, Finance,

According to the Moodie Report, DFS raised a record $450,000 in support of educational

DFS raised a record amount at this year's educathalon
DFS raised a record amount at this year’s educathalon

charities all over the world. Events took place in Hawaii, Guam, New Zealand, and Okinawa in support of over 15 different charities that help children.
DFS stated an an internal memo that:

“As a major partner of The Moodie Report’s Great Travel Retail Educathlon 2013, DFS employees around the world walked, ran, biked, bowled, danced and swam in support of great causes. Thanks to the generosity and ‘can do’ attitude of our employees, vendors, and other partners.”

Close to half of the money raised, about $225,000 is earmarked for Hand in Hand for Haiti, an organization that supports the Lycée Jean-Baptiste Pointe du Sable, a school that was built and is funded by the travel retail industry. The remainder of the funds will be donated to support children’s education in DFS communities around the world.

“This amount raised globally significantly breaks the record set last – and Macao has yet to hold their fundraiser which is planned for this month,” said DFS.

Educational Charities 101

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Dontated Classroom Chairs Can Make A School Beautiful
Dontated Classroom Chairs Can Make A School Beautiful

Educational charities from the western world adopt a variety of ways of helping educational institutions in third world countries.  First, they help to raise the funds to erect school buildings. Once that has been taken care of, the schools need furniture in line with 21st century learning (including computer tables, computer chairs, books, etc.).  Next, these organizations provide scholarships for students so that they do not have to pay school fees.  There are also the charities that train new teachers and help upgrade the skills of current teachers.

Given that we are in the 21st century and education is moving toward a more computer-based structure, there are certain educational charities that specifically raise money for computer equipment in schools as well.  They will also offer extra-curricular computer-based training classes.  The library is important as well, but again, that requires funding to be properly equipped.

Education Going Green

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Recycling Furniture is a Great Way to Save the Environment
Recycling Furniture is a Great Way to Save the Environment

Edu-Care Recycling UK recycles items for charity.  In so doing, it provides work experience and volunteer opportunities for the unemployed, supplementing their skills to offer potential employers.  The organization has a whole array of used computer tables, computer desks, and other education-based furniture for firms or individuals to purchase. As well, there is catering equipment, exam desks, podiums, library furniture, etc. Edu-Care is a low cost high quality alternative to purchasing educational furniture and equipment.

To find out more about the work of Edu-Care Recycling, join the organization for an open day on September 20, 2013 from 10am to 4pm.  There, visitors will be able to meet the team, learn more about the organization’s work and how the environment and communities benefit from it.  One hundred percent of its profits are given to charity to help the local community.

Twenty-Six Non-Profits and Charities You Can Find on Twitter

Educational, Finance

Looking for a great charity to either support or learn more about? Twitter is a great resource to do just that.

The following list is just a small sample of the diversity of charities found on Twitter:

• The 1010 Project: “The 1010 Project is a nonprofit organization that provides income-generating grants to indigenous development partners in Kenya and raises awareness in the United States on behalf of the global poor.”

• The Anita Bork Institute: “The Anita Borg Institute seeks to: Increase the impact of

Educational Charities Help Children Learn
Educational Charities Help Children Learn

women on all aspects of technology, and increase the positive impact of technology on the world’s women.”

• Appropriate Infrastructure Development Group: “Boston-based nonprofit working in Guatemala & Haiti to get communities affordable renewable energy, sanitation, and clean water. Friend us. We’re nice.”

Follow the link to learn more about charities on Twitter.

Spotlight: Furniture for Education Worldwide

Educational, Finance, , , , ,
Surplus Furniture Can Help Underprivileged Schools
Surplus Furniture Can Help Underprivileged Schools

Given that some schools have so much money, resources and furniture and other schools around the world have little or close to none, Furniture for Education Worldwide (FEW) was established to help readdress the balance.  Launched in London at the end of 2008 by Ed Balls, Secretary of State for Education, this national charity seeks to “send all the surplus and redundant furniture from the Building Schools for the Future project (BSF) to Schools in deprived countries around the world that have very little or no facilities.”  This includes:  computer tables, classroom tables, computer chairs, classroom chairs, folding chairs, folding tables, school cafeteria tables, podiums and anything else that falls into the category of school furniture.

At the time of this writing, FEW had already sent 40 feet worth of containers filled with all types of school furniture as well as school books, blackboards, etc., to the Asian region. This furniture has completely enhanced the learning experience of these less-fortunate children around the world.  For example, those kids who previously had to use their bags for support when sitting can now use a school desk and are thus able to work in a much more structured environment.  In addition, the work of FEW has been having a very positive impact on the environment, promoting green living.

Donate Items to an Educational Charity

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donateMany people do not have that much extra cash around to give to charities, but they may have tons of really great possessions which they no longer need, which would make fantastic donations for many educational charity groups. When organizations receive things they need instead of cash they then can use the cash they do raise for other things they need. From cars to church furniture to pet food, there is a charity somewhere that will accept your stuff.

Here is a very partial list of educational organizations in the Washington DC area which will accept all kinds of items including cars, computers, clothes, and much, much more:

•    Four Paws Rescue Team- This organization saves abandoned, neglected and generally unwanted cats. They have an aggressive adoption policy which is promoted hand in hand with humane education to end pet overpopulation. They accept hand towels and sheets, cat litter and/or cat food, cat carriers, cat beds, small cardboard boxes (used as litter boxes at adoption fairs), cat toys, stamps, calling cards, gift cards.

•    Rebuilding Together- Montgomery County: This group rehabilitates homes of low income families and educates people about the plight of the elderly and disabled. Beneficiaries of this organization are mostly disabled, elderly or both. The rebuilt homes can then offer warmth and safety, and a greater level of independence and dignity to homeowners. Rebuilding together accepts: pick-up trucks, new hand tools, new power tools, printing services, graphic design services and warehouse space in Montgomery County.

•    Neighbors’ Consejo- This group seeks to educate the public about the problem of homelessness end to try and end it among Latinos. They offer a large list of services, including outreach to the street, treatment for addiction, job training, mental health care and help finding permanent housing. The consejo will accept household appliances and furniture, household items, toiletries, glassware and landscaping services.

Accountants for Charities and Education

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Non-Profs need accounting services too.
Non-Profs need accounting services too.

Not only do businesses need accounting support: non-profits are also in need of competent accounting. In steps James Cowper, a firm which has a long history of involvement with charities, schools, academies and other non-profit groups.
According to their website, James Cowper

“is committed to high standards of technical expertise, whether focused on audit, tax or other advisory services.  Members of our team have a strong charity sector focus, and receive training and support to make sure that they are aware of changing technical, tax and other issues affecting charities and educational organizations.  Key individuals are members of the ICAEW charity group and a number have specialist charity accounting qualifications.”

This UK-based firm is a member of the Kreston UK charities group, an organization that supports independent accounting firms which share an interest and a specialization in charity accounting.

James Cowper offers the following services to charities and non-profits.
•    Accounting
•    Audit
•    Tax
•    VAT
•    Outsourcing
•    Payroll
•    Restructuring and insolvency
•    Mergers and collaboration
•    Governance advice and trustee training

Easily Find the Educational Institution You Want to Support

Educational, Finance, ,
Donate a Cafeteria Table to a School You Love
Donate a Cafeteria Table to a School You Love

Whether a student is 3 years old or 103, there are organizations which will help less well-off prospective students pay for their education. These various groups help fill the gap where government falls short. That is where the public, people like you, come in. Here are some facts about education and its support in the United States:

•    The difference between the money the poorest and the richest districts have to spend on education per child annually is over $1,000 per child.

•    Nevertheless, there is an excellent rate of young adults between the ages of 18 and 24 who have either a high school diploma or its equivalent alternative credential such as a General Educational Development (GED) certificate. In 2009 the rate was 90 percent.

•    Unfortunately, despite the excellent rate of finishing high school or getting a GED, over 70 percent of Americans between 18 and 24 years old cannot find New Jersey on a map, and 11 percent cannot even find the United States.

Charity Navigator is a website which helps people learn about institutions which require public support to operate successfully. With the aid received from generous people schools can afford basic items such as cafeteria tables and classroom chairs, and other equipment essential to the successful operation of any school. This website makes it easy to give to exactly the type of school you believe in, and wish to support.