Charity A or charity B?
There are many charities to choose from and also a few that will not forward your support and money to where they say they were. Even though these organizations are few it is necessary to do a background check just to be sure. The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) states that donating to a charity where at least 60% goes to the endeavor itself is going to make the greatest difference. Furthermore, making sure that the privacy policy should entail that your information will not be shared with other companies or non-profits is something else to look out for in order to avoid those charities that, according to the charity analyzer keep 25 till 95 cents of every dollar for themselves.
Lastly, where do your employees or co-workers want their support to go? The inclusion of them in the choice process might also stimulate their efforts and morale because they see how and where they make a difference.
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Fed’s Program to Buy Government Bonds Leads to Large Investment Changes
Cantillon Capital Management has changed from “long-short” investing to safer options, such as buying company shares that are expected to rise. Cantillon sold its hedge funds and gave back $3.5 billion to its investors decreasing their standard hedge-fund investors and funds of hedge funds close to zero. One of the only ones left is the New York fund of funds, EnTrust Capital Inc. Entrust Capital’s managing partner Gregg Hymowitz takes Cantillon’s William von Mueffling’s move into account, but justifies his company’s choice as well. Gregg Hymowitz commented in an article from the Wall Street Journal, "I think his analysis of securities is very disciplined. We're not getting the short exposure, but we're also not paying the hedge-fund fees.”
In addition to the pros and cons of his decision to sell its hedge funds, Mr. von Mueffling points out the challenges all investors are faced with influencing the current negative 14% average return of hedge funds specialized in short selling. "There are (overvalued stock), but trying to short them when the government is printing money is a very, very challenging game," he said, pointing at the Fed’s programs to buy government bonds.
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Netflix comes out with new service
On Monday, Netflix started its plan for an online future, increasing all rates for its DVD plans, but coming out with an Internet streaming-only service. It will allow members to watch videos online on computers or Internet-connected televisions. This convenience is overshadowed by the fact that due to licensing deals its streaming-content library is a lot smaller than its offerings via mail.
Netflix’s streaming service will not provide members with movies by three of the major six Hollywood studios until these movies are released on HBO. Even though this is the case, demand for their new service has grown so fast that it delivers more movies online than movies via mail. This might also be because its new plan is targeted at a younger crowd, which spends a lot of its time with digital media.
Source: LA Times
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Dance Students Raise Money for Charity
The Waldwick In the Spotlight dance studio has set its own new record. On Saturday, Nov. 20, students and dancers, who range between ages of 3 and 18 years performed at the annual recital that is used to raise money for Holley Center, a semi-permanent home in Hackensack for children in need. This year they were able to crack and go beyond the $50,000 donation mark. Owner Tom Karaty is very proud and grateful. "It has been an amazing 10 years. This is a labor of love by the parents and all the dancers."
The first performance was almost 10 years ago and was intended for helping the families of September 11. Since then the dance studio has not shown any intentions to stop giving back. They put all their heart and practice six to eight hours every weekend for the recital held the Saturday before Thanksgiving.
For more information check out the NorthJersey website.
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Fire Fighters Fight Policemen To Benefit Charities
Fire fighters and Policemen are usually on the same side. They fight for the good and defeat the bad. On the night of the 12th of March this was different. The Guns, which is the law enforcement team, fought against the Hoses, the fire department, in a game of hockey. All proceeds from the event will go to the support of charities throughout the year. Local firefighter Mike McIntosh explained which local charities the proceeds would go to as both departments make an effort to get involved in multiple organizations. "Both the police department and fire department have charitable funds, and the money raised from the hockey game gets donated out through the course of the year to multiple charities," he said. Among others, St. Thomas Child Family Center and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, Girl Scouts of America, Big Sisters, the Big Sky State Games, Special Olympics, Little League Baseball, and the Boys & Girls Club will be thankful for any support they get from the two teams.
According to players, the hockey game is a great way to give back to the community and help those out that are in need. Since 1999 policemen and firefighters have raised approximately $90,000, topped almost $10,000 during last year’s competition.