Charitable Giving

They may build skyscraper mansions, travel by private jet and throw sumptuous wedding parties, but it seems India's super-rich are much slower at opening their wallets for charity.

Indian software tycoon Azim Premji said Saturday he has given $2.3 billion to an education charity that he controls, reportedly the biggest charitable donation in the country's recent history.

Russia's Vladimir Potanin and Ukraine's Victor Pinchuk pledged Tuesday to give half of their fortunes to charity, becoming the first tycoons from ex-Soviet Union to join a global drive by the world's richest people to share their wealth.

South African mining billionaire Patrice Motsepe announced Wednesday he would give half his family's fortune to charity, becoming the first African to match a pledge made by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.

Mining billionaire Patrice Motsepe announced Wednesday he would give half his family's fortune to charity, becoming the first African to match a pledge made by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett.

Amid a scrap in Congress over whether to raise taxes, advocates for the poor are lobbying for America's rich by seeking to preserve a mutual benefit: tax deductions for charitable contributions.

Eleven billionaires added their names Tuesday to the effort by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett to donate half their fortunes to charity, bringing the total to 92.

Eleven billionaires added their names Tuesday to the movement led by Bill Gates and Warren Buffett for rich executives to donate half their fortunes to charity, bringing the total to 92.

American charitable giving showed modest growth in 2011, in a reflection of a subdued economic recovery, a survey showed Tuesday.

Prime Minister David Cameron has pledged to listen carefully to charity's concerns over plans to cap tax relief on donations amid fears the reforms could deter wealthy donors.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - CME Group Inc, which has given $22 million to Chicago-area schools and charities over the past five years, has stopped making grants through its main foundation, citing the collapse of MF Global Holdings Inc.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - CME Group Inc, which has given $22 million to Chicago-area schools and charities over the past five years, has stopped making grants through its main foundation, citing the collapse of MF Global Holdings Inc.

CHICAGO (Reuters) - CME Group Inc, which has given $22 million to Chicago-area schools and charities over the past five years, has stopped making grants through its main foundation, citing the collapse of MF Global Holdings Inc.

Rock-bottom interest rates and forecasted higher future tax rates are creating attractive opportunities for donors.. Rock-bottom interest rates and forecasted higher future tax rates are creating attractive opportunities for donors.

Chinese artist Ai Weiwei said Wednesday supporters had travelled thousands of kilometres to his Beijing studio to express their support and donate money towards a huge tax bill he has to pay.

South Korea's top automaker Hyundai Motor said Sunday its chairman would give $462 million to charity, partly fulfilling a pledge made in 2006 while being investigated for corruption.

Charitable giving rises but doesn't cover insufficient social service budgets. Charitable giving is an integral part of the American spirit, whether it is a donation of canned goods to the local soup kitchen, volunteer work to help rebuild a community ravaged by a tornado or hurricane, or financial aid and medicine sent overseas to stem the spread of hunger and disease. This generosity has its limits, especially during trying economic times. But there is fresh evidence that the nation's economy is gradually emerging from the Great Recession, at least as far as donations are concerned.Proof of that was reported Monday by the Giving USA Foundation in Chicago and its research partner, the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University. They found that charitable contributions from American individuals, corporations and foundations in 2010 totaled more than $290 billion, a 3.8 percent increase over the prior year in actual dollars and a 2.1 percent increase when factored for inflation.

LONDON (Reuters) - More than one million pounds ($1.62 million) has been contributed to a gift fund set up by Britain's Prince William and Kate Middleton ahead of their wedding, the couple's office said on Wednesday.

LONDON (Reuters Life!) - More than one million pounds ($1.62 million) has been contributed to a gift fund set up by the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge ahead of their wedding, the couple's office said on Wednesday.

US charitable giving rebounded in 2010 after a horrific slump stemming from the global economic downturn, a survey showed Monday.