Taking CSR to the next level with crowdfunding

For businesses today, it makes sense to maintain a corporate social responsibility program. Giving back to the communities where they operate increases the company’s value in the eyes of stakeholders. Majority of consumers admit that corporate philanthropy also affects their choice of brands and stores to support.

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While nearly every type of business, from small companies to large organizations, has sought to do its part in providing help to society through CSR projects, current methods can’t keep up with the pace of needed changes. Good intentions may not be enough when companies do not know the best, most direct way to give back to the community. Likewise, the intended beneficiaries of social responsibility may not always be able to communicate their needs to the entities that could provide the necessary aid.

This is why companies seeking greater impact of their CSR projects should look no further than the possibilities opened by modern technology. These days, an emerging method is through online fundraising. Through sites that call attention to social realities, individuals pool their resources and donate to support a proposed solution to problems.

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Companies looking for better ways to donate can turn to crowdfunding sites to improve their current CSR programs. Through available technology, the process of gathering donations and bringing people under a single cause has been made easier than it was before. What used to take months to complete can now be done in a matter of days.
 
In addition, crowdfunding allows companies to participate in worthy causes in a highly transparent channel. The other participants and recipients of the donations know exactly how companies have helped the cause and businesses get the immediate boost to their image.

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Alex von Furstenberg does his part to help communities through the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. Visit this website to learn about the organization’s goals and methods.

ACRIA: A recognized international leader on the issue of older adults with HIV

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 Although many Americans consider HIV/AIDS as an issue belonging to decades past, there are still so many adults who are living with the disease today and dealing with the AIDS stigma. Fortunately, many organizations, like The AIDS Community Research Initiative of America (ACRIA), recognize the struggle that AIDS/HIV victims battle against.


ACRIA, through its Center on HIV and Aging, has been recognized as a leading proponent on the issue of older adults with HIV. The Center examines, determines, and pursues solutions to a wide range of problems faced by aging adults living with AIDS or HIV. Its efforts are focus on research, education, and advocacy promoting information dissemination not only to lay communities but also to scientific organizations and various AIDS service providers. Furthermore, the Center seeks to conduct open exchanges or dialogues among these entities to support the development of public policy guidelines, identify needs that haven’t been addressed, enhance the delivery of healthcare services, and advance research efforts to fill in information gaps.

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Other initiatives that ACRIA has been involved in include the following:

• Participating in nationwide conferences on HIV and aging.
• Leading the move to save the New York State AIDS Institute.
• Partnering with other organizations, like the HelpAge International and Terrence Higgins Trust, in conducting a worldwide sign-on letter to UNAIDS on HIV and aging.

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ACRIA recognizes CDC’s predictions that half of those suffering from HIV in the US will be over 50 years old by 2015. With this data, consolidated effort from both government and non-government sectors should have a significant push to improve the quality of life of this underserved population.

Business maven Alex von Furstenberg serves on the National Council of ACRIA. Find more links to articles and discussions on various health advocacies by following this Twitter page.

The real solution to ending world hunger

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Eradicating world hunger is one of the dominant reasons for giving to charity. However, donating food may just be a stopgap solution to a growing problem. After all, when the giving stops, the eating stops as well.

The saying “…give a man a fish he is hungry again in an hour; if you teach him to catch a fish you do him a good turn,” written by Anne Isabella Thackeray Ritchie and now an oft-cited proverb, is one of the inspirations for sustainable solutions against world hunger and poverty. People in the most impoverished areas around the world are increasingly relying on government aid and charity donations for their daily rations instead of actually learning livelihoods.

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What governments and charitable organizations can do is create programs that teach self-reliance in subsistence. Education can be the key to end world hunger, not limited food handout programs. Technology on how to grow food faster and more efficiently already exists, but knowledge of productive use is still wanting. Giving access to such technologies provides subsistence and a renewable source of income, and the opportunity to grow further economically through the sale of surplus produce.

These reforms need to be cushioned by governments. Protecting small farmers from the agricultural monopoly of big corporations is crucial their survival in the market and in life.

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Alex von Furstenberg dedicates his life to many charitable institutions via the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. More information about the Mr. von Furstenberg’s work with the foundation is detailed at this website.

Ending malnutrition: Saving the children and the world

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In developing countries, child malnutrition is neither a choice nor a misgiving among parents. The problem is rooted on the absence of access to basic nutrition.

One in five children in the world succumbs to malnutrition everyday. In five countries in Africa and North Korea, the rates of hunger are higher than those of 20 years ago. These statistics are reported by Save the Children, an independent organization dedicated to bringing lasting change in the lives of children in need across the world. Two million children die each year from chronic malnutrition—a depressingly bloated figure that speaks to ineffectual effort in combating and prioritizing food distribution worldwide.

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Countries like Ethiopia and Bangladesh are singled out for their successful nutrition programs, which ensure that their next generation would be protected from this largely invisible crisis. However, many countries in Africa, particularly those north in the Sahel region, are still losing the battle against food crises. Last year’s ravaging famine in Somalia has so far taken between 50,000 to 100,000 lives. While famines are geographical consequences, greater political commitment from the affected countries’ governments to aid food production should align with more external aid from global charitable institutions and donors.

During famines, it is the children who are the first to go, as chronic malnutrition leaves them more vulnerable to the associated diseases of malnutrition. Malaria and pneumonia, causing permanent damage to their bodies and brains, have lifetime repercussions for victimized children.

The time to act against malnutrition is now.

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Alex von Furstenberg has been involved in various charitable pursuits in education, environmental advocacy, and childcare. Visit the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation website to learn how to help their cause.

Philanthropy for the love of sports

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Games and sports provide opportunities for the youth to mingle with other kids and get some exercise. Outdoor play should not be deprived from kids but rather encouraged among them. Engaging in games and sports not only contributes to a fulfilling childhood but also helps in developing a healthy body and mind.

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The Los Angeles Department of Recreation and Parks sees the importance of physical activity, which is why it partnered with humanitarians, including Alex von Furstenberg, Ali Kay, and The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, for the refurbishment of existing outdoor basketball courts in LA. Selected courts will benefit from the tie-up since it will sponsor and manage several court repairs and upgrades. The restoration of such courts will depend on the individual site-specific needs, which include improvement of goal posts, replacement of glass backboards and goal rings, and installation of asphalt court surfaces. The selection will be based on the courts’ usage and need for enhancement.

The organization understands that these basketball courts play a formidable role in inspiring the youth to get healthy, get smart, and get social.

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Business maven Alex von Furstenberg’s advocacy to help the youth through sports has been evident throughout his career. Find out more about his humanitarian efforts at AlexVonFurstenberg.com.

Heart of Los Angeles: College access to underserved kids

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What used to be a luxury reserved exclusively for the rich is now a right that everyone deserves to have—education. The Heart of Los Angeles (HOLA), an organization providing underserved youth with exceptional programs in academics, arts, and athletics, believes that kids belonging to low-income families should get an equal opportunity in attaining a college education from top-tier institutions.

HOLA attests that such kids have a low representation at top colleges and universities in the US but are overly represented at public access two-year schools. There are several reasons why it is such a struggle for underprivileged youth to get through elite colleges, and topping the list is the fact that low-income families can’t afford the cost of applying to more than one college. Kids also often face the pressure from their parents to stay local, or worse, to skip college. Moreover, the lack of outside support causes teens to not have a better understanding of their abilities and talents. Hence, they wouldn’t know what their choices are in college, which sometimes results to the decision of not going to college at all.

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HOLA understands that intervention is indicative of significant worth for all kids to have a bright future. It firmly values the need to strengthen more nationally recognized programs that exercise efforts of putting low-income youth in selective colleges. The organization appeals to these colleges to readdress their application and admission processes in order to widen their doors to low-income youth.

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Philanthropist Alex von Furstenberg’s advocacy to help the youth get access to education has been going on for years as evidenced by his support for the Heart of Los Angeles, among other organizations. Get to know more of his humanitarian efforts on this Facebook page.

Giving is an investment

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Many people believe that money is the root of all evil because it tests the limits of humanity. However, money is just a tool, and in the right hands, it can be a source of hope—an investment to a better future.

This thought might be what runs in the minds of those who have given away a significant portion of their hard-earned money to different causes, from saving rainforests to fighting drug abuse. These people view money as more than just a means for them to enjoy the good life. To them, it is a tool for making a difference by investing on relevant causes and leaving a legacy of hope for the betterment of their fellow men.

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Many people believe that the rich only give so that people will remember them. And while it is true that some give to charities or do volunteer work so they could be noticed, many have shunned the spotlight, preferring to remain unnoticed. Chuck Feeney, an Italian-American billionaire, is one such person. He spent the last 30 years giving away over $7 billion that he amassed from selling liquor, perfumes, and cigarettes in his empire of duty-free shops. His donations are aimed to support different causes in education, science, health care, aging, and civil rights in many countries around the world.

Mr. Feeney is a shining example than many young philanthropists should aspire to become. Giving should not only be seen as charity but also as an investment toward a bright future for all of humanity.

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Alex von Furstenberg is a member of the board of directors of the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, an organization that aims to positively impact the world by improving people’s lives and strengthening communities. You can visit this website to learn more.

Changing lives and improving oneself through giving

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There are many different reasons why people give. It may be because they want to genuinely help others, or they want to receive good karma. For some, it may even be because they just want to be noticed by their peers.

Whatever their reasons are, one thing is true: The act of giving gives pleasure and spiritual, emotional, and psychological benefits, which can improve one’s sense of well-being in the long run.

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Aside from this, giving also provides people the chance to learn about the social injustices around them. A lot of well-off people would not even bother looking at the condition of the masses. Giving provides them an opportunity to see firsthand what the less fortunate go through every day. This experience can help them learn and discover new viewpoints that can change how they see the world that they live in. As a result, their new awareness can help them convince others in their social circles to help out as well.

Contrary to what most people believe, giving is not just about money. It is also about important and immeasurable things, such as time and effort. Volunteering and becoming closely involved with a social cause can not only help the less fortunate but also give people a sense of inner peace and contentment, knowing that they have done their part in making a difference.

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Through the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation, Alex von Furstenberg is able to make a difference one cause at a time. Visit this website to learn more about the organization and its efforts.

Hedge funds and private equity funds: Becoming more accessible

A private equity fund is defined as an equity capital that is not publicized. Private equity funds come from private sources, including investors and funds that make investments directly into private companies or acquire public companies resulting to the delisting of public equity.

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Meanwhile, a hedge fund is an investment offered to a limited number of bigwigs. The risk involved in this type of investment is in counterbalancing potential losses by way of hedging investments in various approaches, such as short-selling.

Nowadays, small businesses have a rough time obtaining credit, much less acquiring hedge funds and private equities. This may be due to lenders’ tight credit policies or their refusal to take risks on small businesses. Fortunately, crowdsourcing and crowdfunding have become practices that small businesses can take for them to cope with financial struggles, Forbes Magazine explains. These practices avoid traditional capital sources and instead acquire financing from the masses. Because of the plausibility of these practices, Congress passed the Jumpstart Our Business Startups (JOBS) Act in 2012.

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This development eventually results to a liberal access to hedge funds and private equity funds to accredited investors. Although non-accredited investors would not be admitted here, many small businesses can benefit from this. It seems that capital-starved entrepreneurs have more options in gaining investments with less risk.

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Investment expert Alex von Furstenberg served as the co-managing member and chief investment officer of Arrow Capital Management, LLC, a private investment firm focused on global public equities. This Facebook page provides more updates about public and private equity markets.

Philanthropy: It's not all about the money

People who view philanthropy as a financial baggage or a last option for a wealth strategy could see this as a strain on their pockets. But for those inclined to charitable giving, philanthropy could mean more than an optional responsibility reserved for excess wealth and unwanted assets. However, by developing a systematic strategy that is integrated with personal and wealth transfer goals, giving could lead to a purposeful endeavor that is not focused on the idea of giving money.

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This is what philanthropy means for The Naples Trust Company. It is committed to using philanthropy not just as a means of donating money but as a way to solve problems in the society. For the past decade, the company has dedicated over $1 million to nonprofit organizations to make a difference in its community.

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Similarly, The Diller – von Furstenberg Family Foundation, headed by Alex von Furstenberg, addresses generosity as a gratifying feat. The organization is guided by the shared values, concerns, and passions of its members. Its main vision is to improve people’s lives and strengthen communities. Community building, education, human rights, arts, health, and the environment are the primary sectors that receive the foundation’s support.

In philanthropic acts, money can never be ignored when measuring its depth, but the effect always comes in boundless possibilities.

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Businessman Alex von Furstenberg is actively involved in a variety of philanthropic work. Among the organizations he supports are the Alliance for Young Artists & Writers, Literacy Partners, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America. This Twitter page provides more updates about him and his contributions to help others in need.

What businesses need to know about ObamaCare

The Affordable Care Act, also known as ObamaCare, has been the bane of businesses in the US. Many have fought against it and failed. And since it will fundamentally impact many US businesses, understanding it should be the number one priority for most entrepreneurs and businessmen.

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What is ObamaCare?

ObamaCare is a national health plan that aims to reform the US healthcare system. It focuses on providing Americans with affordable healthcare while regulating the health insurance industry, in order to reduce the country’s burgeoning healthcare costs.

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How will it affect businesses?

Businesses with more than 50 employees working have to provide their employees with healthcare insurance. Failure to do so would require them to pay around $2000 dollars per uninsured employee (after the first thirty employees). So, for a company that does not provide healthcare to its 100 employees, the penalty would be around $140,000. Companies that provide their employees with healthcare insurance that exceeds 9.5 percent of their employees’ household income and/or insurance with inadequate coverage will be penalized as well (around $3000 dollars per insured employee).

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However ObamaCare may seem to be a step into the right direction for the government, it is very important that businesses make sure that these additional tax and penalty burdens don’t cut into their bottom lines.

More business news and updates can be accessed by visiting this Facebook page for Alex von Furstenberg.

Charity ride for the benefit of Lebanon's DDS

June 22, Saturday -- Sunnyside Motorcycle Club bikers headed to the Developmental & Disability Services (DDS)-Alley Learning Center located at the 12th and Walnut St, Lebanon, Pennsylvania to hold their annual Sunnyside Charity Ride.

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At 11 am, the Bryan Stevenson Band, who made well-loved songs such as “Which Is Broken,” “Stay Young,” and “Long As I Can See The Light,” gave a free concert to entertain visitors and guests alike. Expected to arrive at around noon, the bikers then mingled with the visitors and gave them the opportunity to look at the motorcycles.

Furthermore, lunch was served by Morrisey’s Meats from 11am to 2pm. A full meal consisting of pulled pork or beef on a roll, chips, and a drink was served for only $6 per person.

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To cap the event, the club handed over a check to the Developmental and Disability Services of Lebanon Valley, funding its programs and services dedicated to helping both local children and adults with disabilities.

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The charity was supposed to be held on June 29th in the event of bad weather.

Those who joined the charity ride registered at the Myerstown Rod & Gun Club for a $15 donation.

More pertinent charity news and updates can be found by visiting this Twitter page for Alex von Furstenberg.

Strategic giving: Approaching philanthropy with a different mindset

In spite of the recession and the still recovering economy, generosity remained abundant in the US. The philanthropic community has been notably active in the previous year, with about 64 million volunteers and 65 percent of households donating to a charity or a specific cause. As a whole, foundations, corporations, and individuals gave about $298 billion.

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While philanthropic work in the US continues to be a strong driving force in promoting social change, Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen noted that there is still much that can be improved. Ms. Arrillaga-Andreessen, who teaches four philanthropy courses at Stanford, has made materials on studying and teaching philanthropy available online to encourage other learning institutions to start their own programs.

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Majority of the donors to philanthropic ventures are driven by emotion or a generous feeling. Therein lies a great but yet untapped potential because there are greater things that can be achieved when people take time to learn about the potential impact of their donations.

Shifting from emotion-driven giving to strategic philanthropy can empower the givers. The new generation of philanthropists is hungry for more information, and they want to know just how much impact their efforts and donations will have. In giving them the materials they need, they can go beyond being passive givers who are just hoping that their contribution will help and become effective planners and implementers of social change.

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This Twitter page on Alex von Furstenberg is regularly updated with links to stories about developments in philanthropy around the nation.

Comfort Zone Camp: Because grieving children need a fun and safe place to go to

Many children are left unaided and unguided following the death of their parents. Relatives may feel at a loss on how to help children who are experiencing grief. Fortunately, Comfort Zone Camp helps create a world where grieving children are not left to mourn alone. Instead, it provides a community that allows children to heal, grow, and lead fulfilling lives.

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Comfort Zone Camp is a nonprofit 501(c)3 bereavement camp open to children who have experienced the death of a parent, a primary caregiver, or a sibling. It transforms the lives of grieving children by understanding their needs, appreciating what they can do, and giving them a voice.

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The bereavement and therapeutic program at Comfort Zone Camp is unique from other therapeutic programs because of the following features:

• Year-round program. Issues may arise any time of the year for grieving children. Thus, the camp provides a strong program and a support community from which campers may draw strength from all throughout the year.
• Free for all children. Children don’t have to worry about the expenses as the program is free for all of them.
• Designed to suit children’s needs. The program is based on how children—not adults—actually grieve.
• 'Little Buddy/Big Buddy’ system. This is a matching system wherein a camper is paired with a volunteer (1:1). The pairing model provides each camper with a dedicated mentor or friend to help in the healing process.
• Opportunities for removing barriers. The camp uses loss to provide children with some ways to meet and bond with other kids who are experiencing the same situation. This makes them feel that they belong, which would help them bid goodbye to loneliness.

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Not all children affected by a death in the family are able to express this grief in the healthy way. At this point in their life, it is as crucial to show them how to do this as much as giving them the love and affection they so need.

Alex von Furstenberg helps children cope with grief by supporting Comfort Zone Camp. Visit this Facebook page to know more of his philanthropic efforts.

Lessons in philanthropy

Little by little, the world is changing its views on philanthropy. It is no longer the endeavor of wealthy individuals with cash to spare. With the advancements in technology and information, philanthropy has become a challenge to every individual to contribute to causes and programs that are geared toward solving some of the various problems that the world has today.

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In order to give more power to the act of giving and to have it make more of an impact, people will have to learn about modern philanthropy. There is a need for people to know about the various aspects of philanthropic work (what works and what doesn’t) for them to be able to formulate better solutions for the many problems of the modern world.

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Laura Arrillaga-Andreessen, who teaches philanthropic courses at Stanford University, has revealed in an interview that more than half of all individual philanthropists give to charity without knowing exactly how their contribution will impact the cause. She further goes to say that there is a massively untapped potential there and that results could be improved if the givers were better informed of how their generosity can be translated into something that affects the world in a more meaningful way.

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Recently, Ms. Arrillaga-Andreessen has shared her notes and syllabi on philanthropy online, in hopes that making educational material on charity easily available can spur other educational institutions to start offering their own courses on philanthropy and strategic giving.

Follow this Twitter page on Alex von Furstenberg to find more articles on matters related to philanthropic work.

Is everything you need to know about investing right?

Whatever you want to invest in—whether on stocks, mutual funds, annuity, or an IRA account—never plunge into it without having all essential questions answered. The government reminds every investor that every investment draws some risks at some degree. No matter how seasoned you are as an investor, there are ‘fine prints’ to consider when making a wise investment decision. For all you know, the things you might have picked up in the past may lead you to financial catastrophe today.

With this in mind, Forbes presents three rules that investors—even high-profile ones like Alex von Furstenberg and Jeremy Stoppelman—can benefit from.

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Rule # 1
Familiarize yourself with dollar-cost averaging. It emphasizes on the importance of periodic allocation of a certain amount of money into stock investments rather than investing it all at once, which has a lot of risks.

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Rule # 2
As you come close to retirement age, take it easy on aggressive investing. Moderation is the key as you would want to protect your assets.

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Rule # 3
Know that choosing a high-performing mutual fund in implementing your asset allocation makes sense since top raters tend to stay in control of the things they do best.

Don’t just take this advice as it is. Seek more answers from various resources. Understand that at the end of the day, the important things are those that make you comfortable and those that work best for you.

Alex von Furstenberg is the chief investment officer and founder of Ranger Global Advisors, a family office focused on opportunistic value-based investing. Learn more about investing by logging on to this Facebook page.

Scholastic Art and Writing Awards: 9 decades of creativity

For 90 years, Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have recognized some of America’s greatest figures during their younger years, like Truman Capote, Richard Avedon, and Myla Goldberg, for their artistic and literary talents. Several others more will be lined up to be given accolades by the 9-decade-old award-giving body.

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Encouraging the creative process since 1923, the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards have acknowledged the vision of the American youth and discovered students for their creative talents. In recent years, more and more young artists have submitted samples of their work to become part of this effort. Works in the areas of literature, film, photography, sculpting, and education have become significant in strengthening the organization’s vision.

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In 1994, the nonprofit Alliance for Young Artists and Writers was founded with the mission of discovering teenagers’ talents and maintaining the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards’ legacy of elevating creative talents to the national level.

The Awards’ alumni talents include artist Andy Warhol, photographer Richard Avedon, actors Robert Redford and Alan Arkin, and filmmaker Stan Brakhage. The Awards also helps the youth excel in other areas outside the arts, such as medicine, finance, and science.

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Business magnate Alex von Furstenberg is one of the supporters of the Scholastic Art and Writing Awards and the Alliance for Young Artists and Writers. This Facebook page shares more information about his philanthropic work.