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☆ As a mom, I think gift cards are terrible gifts. I never have the time to book an appointment.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-11 | by ( Jenn Morson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It's still sitting unused in a drawer, with other gift cards that I haven't touched. "Oh, I will," I responded, thinking of the other massage gift certificate from my birthday that was still tucked in my desk drawer, gathering dust. The massage gift card from last year sits on my dresser in a pile of other plastic cards that were cluttering my purse. Well-meaning gift-givers bestow us with restaurant cards, manicure gift cards, and even more grandiose gestures such as weekend getaways. For all gift-givers looking to show their mother how much they love them with such a gift, think of it like an all-inclusive resort.

Persons: It's, —, she's Organizations: Service

☆ 'Dollars up, donors down': More charity money is coming from the ultra-wealthy
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-14 | by ( Robert Frank | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +5 min

While donations to charity have been rising, the pool of donors is shrinking, as philanthropy becomes hyper-concentrated among a small group of ultra-wealthy mega-donors, according to a new study. While women make up11% of the ultra-high-net-worth population, they account for 22% of the larger givers, according to the study. Today’s ultra-wealthy donors also prefer to give through private foundations and donor-advised funds — which give them more control — rather than simply writing checks to the Red Cross or United Way. The top charitable cause for ultra-wealthy donors was education (at 54%), according to Altrata. "There is some evidence that the ultra-high-net-worth population has different skews from the broader population," Pasic said.

Persons: Melinda Gates, Robert Frank, Mark Suzman, Amir Pasic, Indiana University Lilly, ”, “, Altrata, Pasic Organizations: Gates Foundation, Indiana University, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Cross, Federal Reserve Locations: Khayelitsha, Cape Town , South Africa, Altrata, North

☆ Oh No! It’s Valentine’s Day and Flowers Just Won’t Do.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-10 | by ( Victoria Gomelsky | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: 1 min

If Valentine’s Day sneaked up on you this year, do not worry. With overnight and even same-day shipping now commonly available, last-minute givers have plenty of options. To help spark your ideas, we asked nine tastemakers around the world to offer some 11th-hour recommendations. Their replies, edited for clarity, included experiential gifts ideal for romantic partners and practical items that could easily double as birthday presents for family and friends. A couple of suggestions, provided by Liesl Clark, don’t involve spending money at all.

Persons: Liesl Clark

☆ I'm trying to have a less wasteful holiday season. I've asked for no new gifts, and I'm decorating with natural things.
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-08 | by ( Kim Dinan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Suddenly, the holidays morphed from a string of cozy celebrations with friends and family into a smorgasbord of plastic toys, plastic packaging, plastic decor, and plastic everything. Despite my best efforts, every holiday season I struggle to keep a stream of unwanted stuff from entering my home. But through trial and error, I've learned some skills that have helped my family make the holiday season less wasteful but no less fun. AdvertisementSustainable gift-givingMy kids want nothing and need very little, but they're showered with gifts during the holiday season. The cheaply made plastic holiday decor on sale this time of year is tough on the planet, too.

Persons: I've, I'm, Kim Dinan Organizations: Service, Business, Center for Biological Diversity, Thrift, Museum

I didn't grow up giving a lot of gifts, and I've never been excited about getting more things. I spend my gift giving budget on big experiences, like a trip to my fiancée's favorite Broadway show. I spend my money on a big experience instead of small giftsI take inspiration from my fiancée. I found a $99 flight to New York and got us tickets to see the Waitress together, which ended up being our last big trip before the pandemic. When the pandemic hit, I still wanted to provide special experiences for my fiancée.

Persons: I've, —, I'm, Lush Organizations: Service, Quicken Locations: New York

☆ All kids want for Christmas this year … Robux and gaming subscriptions
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-29 | by ( Samantha Murphy Kelly | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +6 min

CNN —Nicole Randol — a Missouri-based mother of two boys, ages 6 and 10 — recently posted a message on a popular Facebook parenting group about Robux, the virtual gaming currency for the platform Roblox: Target was having a 40%-off sale for Robux. “I expect it to be the most exciting thing they open [on Christmas],” Randol, who bought two $100 Robux cards, told CNN. Gaming subscriptions continue to gain popularity, too. “What’s changed, naturally, is the games that families are playing.”According to ESA, more than 212 million Americans play video games on a regular basis. Still, with the rise of subscriptions and gaming currency, what lands under the Christmas tree may be smaller in size than years before.

Persons: CNN — Nicole Randol —, —, ” Randol, Fortnite, trumping, ”, Christopher Byrne, Guy, “, ” Roblox, Robux, Michael Inouye, Cozy, Byrne, “ What’s, ” Byrne, Jim Silver, Bitzies, ” Bryne, Parija Kavilanz Organizations: CNN, Robux, Entertainment Software Association, Epic Games, PlayStation, Pro, Apple, ABI Research, National Retail Federation, ESA, Gaming Locations: Missouri

Republican presidential candidate and former U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during a campaign rally in Claremont, New Hampshire, U.S., November 11, 2023. The unprecedented legal turmoil has prompted questions about what would happen to Trump's campaign if he was convicted or jailed. Asked in an interview with Reuters whether he would still support Trump if he were convicted, Marcus replied, "I think so. "I never discussed his legal fees or his legal problems," Marcus said, adding that Trump was "very happy" about his support. Marcus said he thought Trump was a "fixer" who would be beneficial to the U.S. economy and strong on Middle East foreign policy.

Persons: Donald Trump, Brian Snyder, Bernie Marcus, Donald Trump's, Marcus, Democrat Joe Biden, Trump, Trump's, Wilma Marcus, I'm, that's, Nikki Haley, Ron DeSantis, Alexandra Ulmer, Andrew Goudsward, Ross Colvin, Jonathan Oatis Organizations: REUTERS, Republican, Trump, Democrat, Reuters, Trump's White House, Business, Forbes, Biden, South, Thomson Locations: Claremont , New Hampshire, U.S, Iowa, South Carolina, Florida

☆ Black Friday shoppers spent a record $9.8 billion in U.S. online sales, up 7.5% from last year
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-25 | by ( Rebecca Picciotto | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +4 min

Black Friday's spending spike reflects a consumer who is more willing to spend than in 2022, when gas and food prices were painfully high. Pandya noted that impulse purchases may have played a role in the Black Friday growth since $5.3 billion of the online sales came from mobile shopping. A Mastercard analysis of this year's Black Friday sales found that in-store sales rose just over 1% versus online sales, which grew by over 8% compared to last year. Black Friday kept the momentum going from the day before on Thanksgiving when online sales totaled $5.6 billion, according to a prior Adobe analysis. The report forecasts that online shoppers will spend roughly $10 billion over the course of Saturday and Sunday, and a record $12 billion on Cyber Monday.

Persons: they're, Vivek Pandya, Pandya Organizations: Woodbury, Adobe Analytics, Adobe Digital, Adobe, Mastercard, Target Locations: Lacoste, Central Valley , New York, U.S

For people who don't need more things, buying experiences is a great way to feel good giving a gift. While I don't throw budgeting out the window around the holidays, I do prioritize feeling good about how I'm spending my money. This way, I'm all ready to shop those good, good markdowns. Even if I'm not spending money on the item, someone is. I'm taking my Dad out for dinner and a dance performance as the main part of his Christmas gift this year.

Persons: —, I've, I'm, thrifting Organizations: Service, Christmastime, Quicken

☆ Donor revolt at Harvard and UPenn over Israel shows big checks often have strings attached
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-24 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +8 min

New York CNN —Big money donations are booming at America’s colleges, helping fund higher education for millions of students. The biggest donors often sit on universities’ board of trustees, which governs the university and selects university leadership, priorities and direction. The donor backlash at the University of Pennsylvania and uproar at Harvard University over Israel and Palestine highlight how big donations often come with demands for changes to university policy and politics. The backlash has raised questions about the influence big donors wield and pressure donors may exert over leadership, hiring decisions and academic affairs. Restricted giftsMore donations are coming with strings attached, rather than letting schools spend their donations however they want.

Persons: ’, ”, Cliff Asness, James Finkelstein, David Callahan, George Mason, Nikole Hannah, Jones, Rob Reich, “, Ann Marcus Organizations: New, New York CNN, University of Pennsylvania, Harvard University, Harvard, George Mason University, Faculty Senate Tri, Council, Advancement, “, ”, Aid, Education, Critics, Indiana University, George, Koch Foundation, Yale University, University of North, Chapel, Michigan State, Stanford University, Universities, New York University, NYU’s Steinhardt, of Higher Locations: New York, Israel, Palestine, University of North Carolina, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait

NEW YORK (AP) — To appeal to a new generation of philanthropists, the Brooklyn Community Foundation is ditching the word “foundation” and establishing itself with a new name: Brooklyn Org. “The point isn’t lost on Rainey, who says that no matter what people call it, Brooklyn Org is still a foundation. But she said the new name reflects different practices the foundation has put in place that let residents steer the course of the institution. All of the foundation’s discretionary grantmaking, Rainey says, uses a participatory approach, where residents research and pick nonprofits to receive grants. The AP and the Chronicle receive support from the Lilly Endowment for coverage of philanthropy and nonprofits and are solely responsible for this content.

Persons: Jocelynne Rainey, grantmakers, ’ ”, ”, Edelman, Sruthi Sadhujan, Sadhujan, ” Sadhujan, isn’t, Rainey, Alex Daniels Organizations: Brooklyn Community Foundation, Brooklyn Org, Brooklyn Museum, Brooklyn Academy of Music, Independent Sector, Edelman Data, Intelligence, Ford Foundation, Associated Press, The, AP Locations: Brooklyn

Big donors to universities have long expected special treatment, like preference for their children’s applications. Universities helped create the expectation that donations come with influence. Like most nonprofits, U.S. universities foster relationships with some donors by offering them seats on the board of the trustees. The job comes with real power: Trustees vote on decisions like tenure and the selection of the university president. The question is how far the influence of individual donors should extend.

Persons: don’t, ” Edward Rock, “, Yale, ” Organizations: Universities, New York University

☆ Reactions to strike on Gaza hospital killing hundreds
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/2] An Injured child is taken into a hospital after Israeli air strike hit a hospital, according to Gaza Health Ministry in Gaza City, Gaza Strip, in this screen grab obtained from video, October 17, 2023. Following are reactions to the bombing:WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION"WHO strongly condemns the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip. "The hospital was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military. International humanitarian law must be abided by, which means health care must be actively protected and never targeted. ISRAEL PRIME MINISTER BENJAMIN NETANYAHU"The entire world should know: It was barbaric terrorists in Gaza that attacked the hospital in Gaza, and not the IDF.

Persons: ISMAIL HANIYEHI, BENJAMIN NETANYAHU, Al, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Dan Whitcomb, Cynthia Osterman, Sandra Maler Organizations: Gaza Health Ministry, REUTERS, Reuters, Jihad, WHO, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Intelligence, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Gaza City, Israel, Al Ahli, ISRAEL, Syria, United States of America

☆ QUOTE BOX-Israeli Air Strike Hits Gaza Hospital, Hundreds Dead
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-17 | by ( Oct. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

Following are reactions to the bombing:WORLD HEALTH ORGANIZATION"WHO strongly condemns the attack on Al Ahli Arab Hospital in the north of the Gaza Strip. The hospital was operational, with patients, health and care givers, and internally displaced people sheltering there. "The hospital was one of 20 in the north of the Gaza Strip facing evacuation orders from the Israeli military. "WHO calls for the immediate active protection of civilians and health care. International humanitarian law must be abided by, which means health care must be actively protected and never targeted.

Persons: ISMAIL HANIYEHI, Al, TAYYIP ERDOGAN, Dan Whitcomb, Cynthia Osterman Organizations: Reuters, WHO, Al Ahli Arab Hospital, Israel Defense Forces, Intelligence Locations: Israeli, Gaza City, Israel, Al Ahli, Gaza, ISRAEL

Those findings come from a study released last week by Hispanics in Philanthropy, an organization that works to advance Latino giving, and the Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy. How long immigrants lived in the United States also affected giving rates: Long-established immigrants largely gave at higher rates, especially to religious congregations, than recent immigrants. The importance of relationshipsAna Gloria Rivas-Vázquez, who directs Hispanic giving at Catholic Relief Services, says that while all fundraising is about building relations, it’s particularly important for Latino donors. Though there are commonalities among Latino donors, nonprofit professionals stress U.S. Latinos are highly varied in culture, politics, education, and income. “There was a time when people thought that engaging Latino donors meant: OK, we need to do this in Spanish,” Rivas-Vázquez says.

Persons: Indiana University Lilly, Una Osili, ”, Osili, Lilly, Gigi Pedraza, “, Armando Zumaya, Somos El, aren’t, Ana Gloria Rivas, Vázquez, ” Rivas, Ana Marie Argilagos, ” Argilagos, Zumaya, it’s, Kay Dervishi Organizations: Indiana University, Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, Lilly School, Bank of America, Latino Community Fund, Catholic Relief Services, Associated Press, AP Locations: United States, Georgia, Somos El Poder

☆ Nobel Prize award raised to nearly $1 million for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

The Nobel laureates and King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden attends the Nobel Prize award ceremony at the Concert Hall in Stockholm, Sweden, December 10, 2022. TT News Agency/Christine Olsson via REUTERS/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSTOCKHOLM, Sept 15 (Reuters) - Winners of this year's Nobel Prizes will get an extra 1 million crowns, taking the total financial reward to 11 million Swedish crowns ($986,000), the Nobel Foundation, which administers the awards, said on Friday. In 2012, prize money was reduced from 10 million crowns to 8 million as the Foundation looked to shore up its finances. The prize amount was increased to 9 million in 2017 and in 2020 to 10 million - where it was prior to 2012. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the first of this year's prizes and will be announced on Oct. 2 followed by Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Peace on the following days.

Persons: King Carl XVI Gustaf, Queen Silvia, Prince Daniel, Crown Princess Victoria of, Christine Olsson, givers, Simon Johnson, Essi Organizations: Concert Hall, TT News Agency, REUTERS, Rights, Nobel Foundation, Physics, Thomson Locations: Crown Princess Victoria of Sweden, Stockholm, Sweden, Rights STOCKHOLM, Swedish

☆ Nobel Prize Award Raised to Nearly $1 Million for 2023
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-15 | by ( Sept. | At A.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

STOCKHOLM (Reuters) - Winners of this year's Nobel Prizes will get an extra 1 million crowns, taking the total financial reward to 11 million Swedish crowns ($986,000), the Nobel Foundation, which administers the awards, said on Friday. In 2012, prize money was reduced from 10 million crowns to 8 million as the Foundation looked to shore up its finances. The prize amount was increased to 9 million in 2017 and in 2020 to 10 million - where it was prior to 2012. In 2013, the prizes for achievements in science, literature and peace - which were first awarded in 1901 - were worth around 1.2 million dollars, despite the cut in the Swedish currency sum to 8 million crowns. The Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine is the first of this year's prizes and will be announced on Oct. 2 followed by Physics, Chemistry, Literature and Peace on the following days.

Persons: givers, Simon Johnson, Essi Lehto Organizations: Nobel Foundation, Physics Locations: STOCKHOLM, Swedish, Sweden

NEW YORK (AP) — Another top executive at the failed FTX cryptocurrency exchange is scheduled to appear in court in New York Thursday afternoon to face undisclosed criminal charges. Ryan Salame, the former co-chief executive of FTX Digital Markets, was set to appear before a judge at 3 p.m. at the U.S. district court in Manhattan. Federal prosecutors didn't immediately disclose what charges Salame is facing or reveal details about the case. Before FTX collapsed and declared bankruptcy in November, Bankman-Fried had been one of the best-known U.S. crypto entrepreneurs. Bankman-Fried and people associated with his companies, including Salame, were also heavy givers to political campaigns.

Persons: Ryan Salame, didn't, Jason Linder, FTX, Sam Bankman, Caroline Ellison, Nishad Singh, Gary Wang, Fried, Larry David, Salame Organizations: FTX, Alameda Research Locations: New York, U.S, Manhattan, Bahamas, Alameda, Bankman

☆ The 16 Best Items to Add to Your Registry—and Where to Register
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-17 | by ( Erika Veurink | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +17 min

By Erika VeurinkA wedding registry is a couple’s chance to creatively express the kind of life you hope to create together. If you’re a bride or groom to be, you can easily add a link to these eye-catching utensils to your Zola registry. Add the link to the multipurpose pressure cookware to your registry on Zola, or shop it at Amazon or Walmart. Add this link to your Zola registry (and browse other local gift options) and your guests can send a wedding-week-pick-me-up or gift an ongoing subscription. And if you don’t know where to start, Bloomingdale’s wedding registry checklist will help you narrow down what you need.

Persons: Erika Veurink, Zola, ”, Maria Del Russo, servingware, Simone Silverman, Silverman, Del Russo, “, Margaux, Alexandra Daniel, Daniel, Dyson, Holly Liss Jammet, Jammet, Jones, Great Jones, Tricia Lowenfield, Sarah Swann, napkins Swann, Gregory Blake Sams, You’ll, you’d, Sams, Christolfe, Coffee, Anbouba, Neiman Marcus, Delaney Lundquist, she’s, Lundquist, Lily Sullivan, ” Sullivan, Hawkins, Food52, Sullivan Organizations: New, Margot Magazine, Designs, Zola, Elle, Walmart, ” Investment, ”, Farmers, tote, Courtland, Co, Target Locations: Zola, New York City, Florida, Italy, Flamingo, Los Angeles, Great, York, City, Charleston, S.C, Sur, Charlotte, N.C, Brooklyn, N.Y

☆ ‘Strange Planet’ Review: Alien Characters, Human World
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-09 | by ( John Anderson | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

A scene from ‘Strange Planet’ Photo: AppleTV+To paraphrase another famous comic strip, we have met the strangers of “Strange Planet,” and they are us. That, as becomes abundantly clear, is the Jupiter-size joke in Nathan W. Pyle ’s webcomic-cum-series on Apple TV+. The more immediate, Mars-equivalent gag is the translation of very earthy reality into absurdist techno-speak: Parents are “life-givers”; years are “revolutions”; unwanted cilantro in your “swaddled mush” is “soap leaf.” You may find your mouth stones on edge before episode 3, and it won’t be from too much jitter liquid.

Persons: Nathan W, Pyle, givers Organizations: Apple

☆ Nonprofit funded by GOP donor Thiel apparently donated to left-leaning group, records show
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-28 | by ( Brian Schwartz | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The New Venture Fund raised over $950 million in 2021, according to the group's records. The listed donation to the New Venture Fund coincided with Thiel helping Republican candidates during the 2022 midterms. Massoglia suggested another scenario: that accountants for the Thiel Foundation may have filled out the forms incorrectly. The New Venture Fund is part of a network of left-leaning nonprofits guided by philanthropic advisory firm Arabella Advisors. Just like the New Venture Fund and the Donors Trust, the Sixteen Thirty Fund does not publicly disclose its donors.

Persons: Peter Thiel, Republican megadonor Peter Thiel, It's, Thiel, Anna Massoglia, OpenSecrets, Massoglia, Mitch McConnell, Brendan Fischer, Thiel Foundation hadn't, George Soros, Arabella Advisors Organizations: PayPal, Palantir Technologies, Founders Fund, Miami Beach Convention Center, Republican, Democratic Party, CNBC, The Thiel Foundation, New Venture Fund, D.C, New Venture, Thiel, Thiel Foundation, The New York Times, Donors Trust, Washington D.C, Google, America, Democratic, America Votes Locations: Miami , Florida, Washington, OpenSecrets, Ky

☆ 19 Best Gift Ideas for the Dad Who Has Everything
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-06 | by ( ) www.wsj.com time to read: +10 min

To help, we tapped a coterie of expert gift-givers to share the best gifts for dads who have everything. For the dad who loves to relaxFor the dad who’s always moaning about his aching feet, gift him this top-rated foot massager, which uses a mix of Shiatsu, compression and vibration to provide an effective and thorough massage. For the dad who loves to napFor fathers who enjoy an afternoon snooze or have trouble sleeping at night, these wireless sleep headphones are a solid bet. New York City-based Greenberg loves the space-saving aspect. If he’s even “slightly handy,” says Greenberg, he’ll appreciate this addition to his gadget arsenal.

Persons: Sarah Grossbart, Rachel Simon, “, ”, Josh McBride, Bad Birdie, Hannah Redmond, that’s, Steve Greenberg, wouldn’t, Greenberg, I’ve, —, Redmond, Elisabeth Jones, Hennessy, Dad, Alison Deyette, Paul Zahn, won’t, Zahn, ” Greenberg, he’ll, Roberts Schey’s, Francisco Corvi’s, Keys, Roberts Schey, Pam Blondin Organizations: Bluetooth, VR, Scout Locations: New York City, York City, Florida, . New York City, Los Angeles, Argentine, Raleigh, North Carolina

Our experts answer readers' credit card questions and write unbiased product reviews (here's how we assess credit cards). However, some vendors make that cost explicit by tacking on a fixed fee or percentage of the transaction to credit card payments. To avoid getting scammedMany credit card scams involve cardholders being victimized after willfully handing over their card or account information. To buy cash equivalentsMany credit cards offer cash advances, which allow you to borrow cash against your credit limit. Her credit history was pristine, but she only had two credit cards with low credit limits that she nearly exhausted each month on business and personal expenses.

☆ Need motivation for 2023? Here are three ideas from scientists and coaches on how to make it your best work year yet.
▼ + stars: | 2023-01-03 | by ( Rebecca Knight | Shana Lebowitz | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

Use the fresh slate of a new year as an excuse to rev your motivation. We scoured Insider's trove of content for the best tips, tricks, and strategies to rev up your motivation at work in 2023. Gabriele Oettingen, a psychology professor at New York University and the University of Hamburg, calls it "WOOPing." Fishbach, the author of "Get It Done: Surprising Lessons From the Science of Motivation," told Insider. Knapp and Zeratsky helped set up the design-sprint process at Google, so they know a thing or two about time management.

☆ Now's the 'perfect storm' to ask for a raise, an MBA professor says. She shares 5 tips for negotiating — including giving a precise salary number.
▼ + stars: | 2022-12-29 | by ( Leigh Thompson | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

She said it's a great time to ask for a raise and you should quantify your achievements when you do. Gather your dataJust because it's the year's end or inflation is high doesn't ipso facto entitle you to a raise. Two weeks ago, a young woman who'd just received a promotion and small raise sought my advice on how to "raise the raise." Don't get emotional or demandingLet's face it: Salary and raise negotiations are about us — specifically, our worth. In the end, Eric put together an assertive yet reasonable bonus and raise ask, to which the company agreed.

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