Topic: Charitable Giving

Buffett rule: Five questions about Obama's plan answered

President Obama wants a proposed "Buffett rule" to make sure that millionaires pay at least a 30 percent federal tax rate. Here are five facts that shed light on the Buffett rule and the debate surrounding it.

Americans are the most generous, global poll finds

Americans are more apt to donate to a charity, volunteer, or help a stranger than residents of 152 other countries.

How much will charity help your tax bill?

Charitable donations are a great thing and they do offer some tax savings, but you don’t save $1 for every dollar you donate. You often reduce your tax bill roughly 25 cents  for every dollar, which is still a great little bonus.

The philanthropy of Steve Jobs

Philanthropy isn't just giving to charity; it's improving society through business

Texas wildfires leave survivors with little but gratitude to be alive

Texas wildfires that spread across Bastrop County this week have forced many residents into shelters, where they recount narrow escapes and retain an enduring hope for the future.

To give or to save?

A reader wonders how to balance setting money aside for the future with the desire to help those less fortunate

Shake off 'donor fatigue' to end famine in Somalia

The UN, for the first time in decades, had declared a famine alert. Millions in Somalia face starvation. The West cannot be stuck in its own woes.

Harry Potter is just like ... what? Five leading templates for comparison.

Harry Potter fans just know they love the record-breaking series of books. But everyone from academics to mythologists, classicists to historians, and literary critics to, well, geeks have a special “template” they perceive at the heart of the tale.

From positing Albus Dumbledore as the infamous Richard III to taking us aloft the scaly back of St. George’s dragon, here are five of our top takes on what’s going on behind the scenes in the Harry Potter narratives.

Americans dig deep to give more to charities

Though still far below 2007 levels, charitable giving in the US rose 2.1 percent in 2010.

Giving Pledge: A big-hearted billionaires club keeps growing

The Giving Pledge, founded by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett, has signed up 69 billionaires who promise to give away most of their fortunes to charity.

Top 5 nations working the most hours

Americans might like to think of themselves as the world's hardest workers, but a new report ranks them ninth in terms of working hours when placed alongside 28 nations, including China, India, and South Africa. Here's a quick glance at the longest-working nations.

Top 5 on Forbes rich list? Bill, Warren ... and Carlos!

Forbes came out with its annual ranking of the world's richest people Thursday. This year's Top 5 billionaires made their money in software, luxury goods, investments, and telecommunications. But the No. 1 has pulled far ahead of his rivals. Here's how the Top 5 stack up:

Tax breaks for wealthy donors: Schools struggle, while the rich fund golf tourneys

Tax deductions for charitable giving mean the rich can fund their pet causes while the government loses vital tax revenue. This loophole effectively takes the public good out of the hands of voter-elected representatives and subjects it to the whims of wealthy donors.

Letters to the Editor – Weekly Issue of December 13, 2010

Readers write in about charity, wealth, taxes, and the housing crisis.

Doing good by doing well

Entrepreneurship inherently helps everyone by raising the overall economy and providing employment.

Charities: Donations fall by record amount for top nonprofits

Charities' donations in 2009 fell 11 percent for the largest 400 US charitable groups.

Gallup poll: Degree of one's charity depends on happiness more than wealth

A Gallup poll done for the Charitable Aid Foundation finds more correlation between happiness and giving than between wealth and giving. The survey's ranking of countries puts America as number five. Many poor nations are high in giving of one type or another.

How to donate stocks and mutual funds to charity

Here are some tips on how to donate stocks and mutual funds to charity.

Chile earthquake relief: Cellphone donations struggle compared to Haiti

While $21 million in cellphone text-message donations poured into Haiti in the first 48 hours after the earthquake, only about $100,000 in total phone text donations have gone to Chile since the Feb. 27 earthquake.

Obama's right: The wealthy don’t need a huge tax break to support charity

Nonprofits are worried that lowering the tax deduction given to the very wealthy for donating to charity would hurt them. But there's no conclusive proof of that.

American generosity can defy this recession

Charitable giving is down, but small donors are making a big impact. Will you join them?

Financial Q&A: Some price advice for investors about to join the gold rush

Submit your questions to Steve at: money@csmonitor.com

'Tis the season ... for giving

Charities are bracing for lean times. Generous Americans can prove their fears groundless.