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.

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.

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.

Fundraising for charities: Fun is the key

Fundraisers are how most charitable organizations raise money or other resources for the causes they represent. Traditionally, fundraising consists of people going door-to-door or roaming the streets and asking for donations.

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Nowadays, however, there are many ways to do a fundraiser, and while these can be tiring, the key to a successful fundraiser is fun. After all, a charity event that has guest enjoying their time is likely to generate more donations.

One important thing that people should remember when doing fundraisers is that the more unique and exciting they are, the more people will be encouraged to support them.

This website lists some great fundraising ideas:

• Slave auctions. While real slave auctions may raise some concerns, a slave auction fundraiser works like a traditional auction, where people can bid to have a “slave” (usually a volunteer) for a day. The highest bidder will have the volunteer cook, do the dishes, or perform other household chores for him or her.

• 24-hour event. A 24-hour event can be something simple, like a marathon or a basketball match, or something unusual, like video gaming or tea drinking. The participants will have to pay to join the event, the winner of which will receive an award or a prize.

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• Eating competition. People love to eat, and this may be the reason why people love attending eating competitions. Participants pay to eat hotdogs, pancakes, or even hamburgers for a certain length of time, and the winner gets an award.

A fundraiser is not just a great way to raise money for a chosen cause but also an opportunity for guests to get to know each other and have fun.

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Most of Alex von Furstenberg’s philanthropic efforts are done through the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. Visit the foundation’s website for more information.

Online vs. offline fundraising: The facts

A lot of organizations out there may be wondering what kind of fundraising they should do in order to get more donations. And with the advent of the Internet and social media, online fundraisers are fast becoming very popular.

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However, this question remains: Which of them is better?

An infographic by Connectad.ca provides the following facts:

• Offline fundraising is still the preferred vehicle, as 90 percent of donations come in offline.

• Online donations are growing at a very fast rate, with more people donating online every year. In addition, this growth represents both the total revenue and the amount of donors.

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• Online donors are younger (22 to 55 years old), have higher incomes (32 percent of them earn more than $100,000 a year), give more the first time (an average of $62), and give more over time ( at around $118 to $197) than offline donors, who are older (45 to 75 years and older), earn less (only 18 percent of them earn more than $100,000 a year), give less the first time (an average of $32), and give less over time (around $51 to $72).

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As donors acquired from online fundraisers who donate through multiple channels are worth more than thrice those who use only a single channel, perhaps it is safe to say that the best solution for charities wanting to maximize their cash flow is to use multiple channels, both online and offline.

Alex von Furstenberg is committed to changing lives and making a difference, and makes these possible through the Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation. You can find more information about Mr. von Furstenberg’s philanthropic efforts by visiting this website.

Investing in areas yet unexplored by for-profits and the government

Like investment expert and philanthropist Alex von Furstenberg, Bill Gates is a strong believer of philanthropic efforts from businesses to bring about necessary changes in society.

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Businesses are driven by aims for profit. Where there are free markets, there are also exchanges of ideas and products that bring about a better quality of life for consumers. The problem in this setup is that businesses that are concerned with profit alone tend to miss out on the needs of those that cannot pay.

The area that is commonly overlooked by for-profit organizations is where the government steps in and plays a significant role. With government investment in fields that serve the common good, like in medical research, aid and benefits can reach the people that need support the most.

Still, in spite of the business community and the government working on their own agendas, Bill Gates has shared that there still exists an area for innovations that can be ultimately rewarding for all. That space is what he calls the area for “catalytic philanthropy.”



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By reaching beyond market forces and investing in areas that are missed by government funding, society moves toward solving some long standing ills even when there is no apparent benefit to the initiators.

Profit may not come in the form of monetary gains for the companies that drive investments toward solutions for overlooked problems of society and the world at large. It may actually just come in the form of improvements in the status of society and in the form of benefits which may be enjoyed by all.

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Visit this blog for more stories on philanthropic ventures.

Boosting philanthropic efforts with limited resources

With the slow growth of the economy and with various industries striving to recover from the recession, many companies have also stepped up their efforts in order to keep up their philanthropic projects in spite of having scarce resources to spare.

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Certainly, the general opinion on donating one’s time and resources is that it is an integral part of a sustainable business strategy. It is something that must be included in business plans regardless if a business is booming or is experiencing financial difficulty, like the current situation faced by many.

The previous year, 2012, was a year of many difficulties for many companies. Philanthropic ventures have consequently suffered, and the Chronicle of Philanthropy has found that financial aid and donations from organizations in 2012 were significantly lower than in 2007, which is the period before the recession.

Still, financial difficulties have not stopped many companies and wealthy individuals from giving back to society. In the same way that they have let their companies to prosper in spite of several challenges along the way, many able business people have found ways to continue with their altruistic projects in spite of limited resources.

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Due to the economic downturn and the slow recovery, companies have become more focused in their charitable efforts.

Some have chosen to support fewer causes in a bigger way. Companies may emulate such a strategy by selecting and contributing only to a few causes. They can make their choices based on corporate values and the company’s image.

Employee engagement programs are also a wise choice to boost a company’s charitable ventures. Companies can match donations and encourage volunteerism among its ranks, a move which furthers the company’s philanthropic goals and may also be seen as an employee benefit.

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Check out on this Alex von Furstenberg blog for more stories on philanthropic ventures from around the nation.

Self-fulfillment: Why the rich really give

In a time filled with news about an unstable economy, unemployment, and terrorism, it is refreshing to see the following headlines: “Alex von Furstenberg supports American Tall Ship Institute,” “Warren Buffett and Bill Gates' ‘giving pledge’ gets 11 more billionaires to pledge half of wealth,” and “Former NFL team owner champions controversial causes.” Such good news reminds people that there is still something good happening amidst the chaos, and this includes the wealthy helping the less fortunate.

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But why do the rich support charity? The Wall Street Journal states that the rich may have an altogether different reason behind why they give.

A philanthropy study conducted by the Center on Philanthropy and Bank of America found that 46 percent of respondents said that giving to charitable institutions had a “greater impact on their own personal fulfillment” than on those who received the donations; only 20 percent believe that their contributions make a major impact on organizations they support, and only 6 percent believe that their contributions are going to help improve society.

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To make things simple, these people actually do not believe that their contributions will make a significant impact to the world; however, they still continue with their philanthropic efforts because it makes them feel good. The article notes that philanthropists are aware that “changing the world through charity can often be an illusion since the problems they’re trying to solve are so vast and complex” but they “feel better for trying, and charity makes them better people.”

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The Diller-von Furstenberg Family Foundation (DVFF) serves as the headquarters for Alex von Furstenberg’s philanthropic efforts. Visit this website for a list of the organizations DVFF supports.

Naked Heart Foundation: Transporting the children into the magical realms of play

“A child’s greatest achievements are possible in play, achievements that tomorrow will become her basic level of real action.” - Lev Vygotsky, Russian Psychologist, 1896 -1934

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In 2004, Russian model Natalia Vodianova set up the Naked Heart Foundation. Spurred into action by the Beslan tragedy, Natalia founded the charity with the mission of creating modern play parks in urban areas of Russia. These play parks were aimed to help the young survivors of the tragedy find healing. Moreover, they were aimed to help the underprivileged children of Russia in finding their creativity and in safeguarding themselves from the devastating consequences of being deprived of such a basic necessity. In the words of the American psychologist Stuart Brown, “play allows us to develop alternatives to violence and despair.” It is through play that children learn to engage in the world around them at an early age and become more confident and resilient.

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The first park built by the Naked Heart Foundation was in Nizhny Novgorod in 2006. Although the first park was not erected in Beslan because Natalia was not able to make contact with the Beslan authorities after the tragedy, she and the Naked Heart finally delivered their promise of escape from misfortune in 2009. Three years after the first park, Naked Heart has already constructed 40 play parks in various Russian cities including Beslan. And to date, it has accomplished 90 accessible playgrounds in 68 cities and towns across Russia.

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Naked Heart is still 410 short of its target of building 500 parks. But together with the support of businesswoman Silvana Armani and businessman Alex von Furstenberg, the organization can be assured that 410 parks is not hard to achieve.

More on philanthropy and the cause for children in this blog.

Forty-six million meals, sixteen thousand recipients, one mission

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Enfeebled by old age, crippled by recurrent mini-strokes, and disheartened by seclusion, 79-year-old New Yorker “Cono”* can barely move and leave his apartment. But even so, he asserts his preference for remaining at home, “For the rest of my life, I never want to see another ambulance or hospital,” he says. “I want to stay here, sitting on the porch; that’s my hangout 24 hours a day.”

Because of his infirmities, Cono has also been incapacitated from supporting himself nutritionally. Fortunately, Citymeals-on-Wheels has never missed out on providing him his daily fill, thus enabling him to stay within the comfort of his home for his remaining days.

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Now in its 31st year of operation, Citymeals-on-Wheels is a nonprofit organization that finances the preparation and delivery of meals to homebound and geriatric New Yorkers. It provides approximately 2.5 million free meals every year to Cono and 16,000 others.

Citymeals-on-Wheels thrives on the donations of philanthropists such as Martha Stewart, Alex von Furstenberg, and Lynda Resnick. Through their generous support, extraordinary people like Cono receive help every single day. More than the food being provided is the sense of hope that comes along with it—a priceless windfall to a noble mission.

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And with that, Cono, even in the eventide of his fleeting existence, will never go hungry or lonely ever again.

Alex von Furstenberg is a philanthropist who is currently affiliated with over 60 charitable institutions. More information on his supported organization may be accessed at his official website.

* true identity is concealed to protect subject’s privacy

Making the holiday season a little brighter for others

“If we have the opportunity to be generous with our hearts, ourselves, we have no idea of the depth and breadth of love's reach.” -- Margaret Cho

Giving back seems to be popular nowadays, and it’s a great thing to do all year round. However, the spirit of Christmas perks up the generous side in many people. The holidays give them a moment to think that this is not a joyous time for all people and that this is the best time to give back to the community. For families that want to make a difference this season, here are some ways to give back to the community:

Choosing a charity

Those who are not sure where to give this year can pick up from seasoned philanthropists who have been generous to a fault, such as the likes of Dame Elisabeth Murdoch (a prominent Australian philanthropist), Bill Clinton (founder and head of the Clinton Global Initiative), and Alex Von Furstenberg (a supporter of various non-profit organizations in the country).

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Travel philanthropy

Travel philanthropy has attracted many tourists, especially with various calamities that occurred in different countries. People invest time and money to help less-advantaged nations.

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Helping others in simple ways

Insignificant they may seem, small acts of generosity can go a long way for others. This may be in the form of sending a package to a soldier, visiting hospital patients, donating clothes, or joining a group that does outreach projects for the community.

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Giving reminds the people how blessed they are and that they can help in more ways than one. In helping others, the possibilities are endless.

Learn more about Alex von Furstenberg’s philanthropy from this Twitter account.