The Non-Profit Motive
Big donors on why they give
Bill Clinton
K'naan
Belinda Stronach
Peter Buffett
Clara Hughes
Guy Laliberté
Bill Clinton
Since leaving the White House, former U.S. president Bill Clinton has focused on philanthropic and humanitarian work through the William J. Clinton Foundation. The foundation focuses on several key areas: economic empowerment, education, environment, health and nutrition. One of the foundation's programs, the Clinton Global Initiative, launched in 2005, brings together business, government, NGO and philanthropic who have committed $63 billion over the last six years to take action on issues like climate change and poverty alleviation. The CGI has a long list of distinguished attendees including President Barack Obama and Nobel Laureate Desmond Tutu.
K'naan
JUNO-winner K'naan is probably best-known for his song "Wavin' Flag," but the Somali-born Canadian artist leveraged his celebrity status to shine a spotlight on this summer's famine in the Horn of Africa. The rapper, who grew up in Toronto's rough Rexdale neighbourhood, returned to Africa and visited hospitals and refugee camps in Somalia and Kenya, teaming up with fellow pop star and anti-poverty advocate Bono to raise awareness of the crisis. K'naan has also championed Bill C-393 in Parliament, which is designed to assist the developing world in getting access to affordable medicine for treatable diseases.
Belinda Stronach
In another life, Belinda Stronach was a party-switching politician and CEO of her father's auto parts company, Magna. She has since left both roles behind and now focuses on philanthropic work through the Belinda Stronach Foundation, which provides educational opportunities for young Canadian women and aboriginal youth, and youth in developing nations. In 2005, she teamed up with comedian Rick Mercer to launch the Spread the Net campaign, which has raised $5-million to buy insecticide-treated bed nets for children and pregnant women in Liberia and Rwanda.
Peter Buffett
Warren Buffett is one of the world's wealthiest men, but his children have long understood most of his fortune wouldn't be coming their way. In 2006, the senior Buffett gave his second son, Peter, $1-billion earmarked for charity. Since then, Peter Buffett has focused his giving on women and girls in developing nations through the NoVo Foundation, providing approximately $55-million in grants annually. The younger Buffett is on Barron's list of top 25 most effective philanthropists.
Clara Hughes
After her gold medal win at the 2006 Turin Olympic Games, Clara Hughes donated her $10,000 prize to Right to Play, an organization that brings sports to children in developing countries. The act was a first for a Canadian Olympian and Ms. Hughes has encouraged others to follow suit. She also donated her $10,000 Vancouver 2010 Olympic bronze medal winnings to the city's Take a Hike program, an alternative school that organizes camping trips for students who have dropped out of regular schools. A speed skater and cyclist, Ms. Hughes has won six Olympic medals and is the co-chair of Right to Play's Canadian advisory board.
Guy Laliberté
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté covers the operating costs of his foundation, One Drop, with a $100-million contribution over 25 years. The charity, which he founded in 2007 in Montreal, helps fight poverty by providing access to clean water worldwide. Mr. Laliberté, a well-known poker player, also created the "Big One for One Drop," a $1-million dollar buy-in tournament billed as the largest charity initiative in poker history. The tournament will be featured at the 2012 World Series of Poker and part of the prize pool will be donated to the One Drop Foundation.
Video
The life of a charity canvasser in Toronto
Robyn Connolly, 26, is a former student at Queen's University who now she works as a charity canvasser on the streets of Toronto. She explains what works and what doesn't when soliciting spontaneous donations from strangers.
Governor-General David Johnston explains why he gives
Canada's Governor General the Right Honourable David Johnston talks about how tithing practice among Methodists influenced his philanthropic habits.
Craig and Marc Kielburger explain why they give
Marc and Craig Kielburger talk about how parents and teachers can motivate young people to develop an interest in philanthropy.
Paul Haggis explains why he gives
Canadian director Paul Haggis explains how a visit to Haiti changed his life, motivating him to give time and money to the world's poorest country.
Olympian Jenn Heil explains why she gives
Jenn Heil, Olympic Gold medalist for freestyle mogul skiing, talks about how she got involved with charities like Because I'm A Girl.
Donald Johnson explains why he gives
Donald Johnson, a philanthropist and banker, talks about how his roles in advocacy campaigns and charitable ventures have been more satisfying than his business career.
Joe Jonas explains his motivation for giving
Joe Jonas of The Jonas Brothers talks about why he and his brothers give back through groups like Free the Children, Run for the Cure and the Special Olympics.
Bill Clinton explains why he created his foundation
The former U.S. President and founder of the Clinton Global Initiative discusses his motivations behind the Clinton Foundation and what he hopes to achieve.
K'naan explains how Islam shaped his giving
JUNO-winner K'naan talks about how the study of Islam influences him to give in an inconspicuous, direct manner.
Clara Hughes explains how sports motivates her giving
Olympic gold medalist Clara Hughes talks about giving back to sports programs so kids can experience the joy of movement.
Guy Laliberté explains why he gives to charity
Cirque du Soleil founder Guy Laliberté talks about how his interest in philanthropy was fostered by his history in busking and by his loving mother.
Peter Buffett explains how his father influenced his giving
Peter Buffett, son of Warren Buffett, talks about how his father's decision to give away his wealth began a lifelong commitment to philanthropy.
Belinda Stronach explains why she gives
Belinda Stronach, a former MP and CEO of Magna, talks about why she started the Belinda Stronach Foundation, which aims to improve the lives of girls, women and aboriginal youth and to stem the spread of malaria.
K'naan talks about charities competing for money and attention
K’naan, a Somali-born Canadian rapper, talks about the relationship between charities and the money they seek.
Jennifer Buffett discusses why helping girls pays dividends
Jennifer Buffett, wife of Peter Buffet and co-Chair of the NoVo Foundation, explains how the initiative helps women and girls in developing nations by providing $55-million in grants each year.
How Kardinal Offishall chooses the charities he supports
Canadian hip-hop artist Kardinal Offishall explains how learning more about charities and the changes they've made motivates him to provide support.
Nina Dobrev talks about why she gives
Actress Nina Dobrev talks about her experience in Africa and getting involved with events like WE Day.
Bill Clinton describes the power of small donations
The former U.S. President and founder of the Clinton Global Initiative says that small donors play an increasingly vital role in global philanthropy thanks to technology and the Internet
Guy Laliberté explains why everyone should give 1 per cent
Cirque du Soleil founder and CEO Guy Laliberté talks about what a difference it would make if everyone gave one per cent of their income to charity.
Sir Ronald Cohen explains how he got involved in philanthropy
Sir Ronald Cohen, social finance pioneer and co-founder of Apax Partners, talks about how social investing began and how he got involved in developing new tools for philanthropy.
Governor-General David Johnston discusses his causes
Canadian-Governor General the Right Honourable David Johnston explains why he supports issues like education, equality of opportunity and the status of Aboriginal peoples.
Peter Buffett discusses a global desire for a more fair, just world
Peter Buffett, son of Warren Buffett, talks about how philanthropy and the Occupy movement must both demand change from a system responsible for the very problems they're trying to solve.
K’naan talks about cutting out the charity middle man
K’naan, a Somali-born, Canadian rapper who leveraged his celebrity status to shine a spotlight on crises in Haiti and the Horn of Africa, talks about donating more directly.
Bill Clinton's approach to working with foreign governments
The former U.S. President and founder of the Clinton Global Initiative says that it is vital that philanthropists respect the objectives of the people they are trying to help, otherwise their efforts will not take root.
Craig and Marc Kielburger explain how giving has changed
Craig and Marc Kielburger, co-founders of Free the Children, talk about the dramatic increase in youth volunteering and how the definition of philanthropy is changing.
Belinda Stronach talks about the causes she supports
Belinda Stronach, a former MP and CEO of Magna, explains how she got started in philanthropy. It started with Spread the Net, a campaign she began in 2005 with Rick Mercer, which has raised $5-million to buy insecticide-treated bed nets for children and pregnant women in Liberia and Rwanda.
Guy Laliberté explains why his cause is clean water
Cirque du Soleil founder and CEO Guy Laliberté talks about why he contributed $100-million over 25 years to start One Drop, an organization that helps fight poverty by providing access to clean water worldwide.
Paul Haggis explains how Hollywood giving has changed
Director Paul Haggis explains how giving has become more personal over the years, something he's noticed during visits to Haiti with other philanthropists and Hollywood stars.
Donald Johnson explains a new way to expand charitable giving
Donald Johnson, a philanthropist and banker, discusses how the Canadian government can facilitate fund-raising by changing how donated shares are taxed.
Sir Ronald Cohen explains how social investing works
Sir Ronald Cohen, social finance pioneer and co-founder of Apax Partners, talks about the intricacies of social investment, which offers both financial and social returns for investors.
Gordon Nixon explains how philanthropy has changed
Gordon Nixon, President and CEO of RBC, talks about how individual giving has increased dramatically over the years.
Donald Johnson explains how philanthropy has changed
Donald Johnson, a philanthropist and banker, discusses how he helped convince the federal government to update the tax code to benefit charities.
Craig and Marc Kielburger on We Day
The founders of Free the Children discuss WE Day and why it is important to empower youth to become involved in helping others.
Bill Clinton explains a new approach to global giving
The former U.S. President and founder of the Clinton Global Initiative discusses how governments, aid groups and business are working together more efficiently to the benefit of those in need.
Olympian Jenn Heil talks about the charities she supports
Jenn Heil, Olympic Gold medalist for freestyle mogul skiing, talks about her trip to Africa, where she met the first generation of girls from the community to receive an education.
Video: Guy Laliberté explains how philanthropy has changed
Cirque du Soleil founder and CEO Guy Laliberté talks about how charity has changed in Canada – especially in Quebec – due to the Church's decline in prominence.
Sir Ronald Cohen explains social investing
Sir Ronald Cohen, social finance pioneer and co-founder of Apax Partners, talks about the history of social investing, which offers both financial and social returns for investors.
How your giving has changed
A Globe reader charts their giving - Click to read more
