Global Philanthropy Group Announces Archbishop Desmond Tutu Once-in-a-Lifetime Conversation, Co-Hosted by Maggie and Trevor Neilson, Girard-Perregaux, and Elizabeth Wiatt

Event will take place May 16, 2012 at the Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), will also feature author Robert V. Taylor

Los Angeles, California (PRWEB) May 03, 2012 (Full Release)

This unique event will feature Nobel Peace Prize Laureate the Archbishop Desmond Tutu in conversation with Robert V. Taylor, author of the recently released book, ‘A New Way to Be Human.’ The focus of the discussion will be finding happiness and fulfillment, making the world a better place, and embracing a new, transformative way of feeling fully alive. The conversation will be moderated by Michael Govan, CEO of LACMA, with actress & philanthropist Jo Champa opening the evening on behalf of Girard-Perregaux.

“It is an honor for us to be part of this,” said Maggie Neilson, CEO of Global Philanthropy Group. “Events like this connect the vibrant creative and philanthropic communities in Los Angeles.” Global Philanthropy Group will also co-host a private reception for Archbishop Tutu and Robert V. Taylor following the event.

Pre-signed copies of ‘A New Way to Be Human’ will be available for purchase before the event; author signing with Robert V. Taylor immediately following the discussion. For tickets visit LACMA.org or call 323-857-6010.

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How to Be A Philanthropist

Brought to you by Global Philanthropy Group & Simpleshow.

Social Good Stars: Global Philanthropy Group’s Maggie Neilson, Huffington Post

by Amy Neumann

“The world is more malleable than you think and it’s waiting for you to hammer it into shape.” ~ Bono

When it comes to world-shaping, Maggie Neilson, Partner and CEO at Global Philanthropy Group, has tremendous insight. With a background including working with some of the world’s best-know philanthropies and brands with Social Good vision, she has first-hand experience with helping to shape and develop impactful projects globally. Many of her clients are celebrities with a wide reach and equally big passion to help. Additionally, Maggie was on the United Nations‘ International Year of Microcredit Leadership Team, Synergos Insitute‘s international development programs around child malnutrition in India, sustainable global food programs and health programs in Africa, and has been a featured speaker at Harvard and Columbia on microfinance. She weaves her love of helping into every aspect of her life and her work, and shares some of her wisdom below.

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Aspirational Altruism, Huffington Post

by Trevor Neilson

On the New York social scene, philanthropy is the primary organizing force. As any New Yorker can attest, it is very often causes that are the reason people gather in ballrooms and concert halls, and if managed correctly, these events can raise enormous amounts of money for important efforts, both in New York and around the world.

Why is it that philanthropy is at the heart of so many of these gatherings? I think the answer tells us a lot about human nature, and a lot about how smart companies will deepen their relationship with their most important customers.

Philanthropy feels good — and it should. While there is a certain school of thought that suggests that philanthropy should be anonymous, and sacrificial in nature, I disagree. Our brains and our bodies feel good when we help other people — it is a physiological fact. If you haven’t experienced it, go pick up some litter in the park, help an elderly person cross the street, or send a check to your local homeless shelter. You will feel good, and this is a profoundly good thing for our world. Altruism is embedded in our humanity.

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Facebook Is a Form of Philanthropy, Huffington Post

by Trevor Neilson

Buried deep within Facebook’s IPO documents, and largely ignored by media who are focused on the wealth that will be created by the IPO, is a startling letter from Mark Zuckerberg. It’s a letter that should make the entire corporate world stop and take note, and a letter that marks a major evolution in our modern understanding of philanthropy.

The letter says that Facebook “was built to accomplish a social mission” and goes on to say:

There is a huge need and a huge opportunity to get everyone in the world connected, to give everyone a voice and to help transform society for the future. The scale of the technology and infrastructure that must be built is unprecedented, and we believe this is the most important problem we can focus on.
We hope to strengthen how people relate to each other.

Even if our mission sounds big, it starts small — with the relationship between two people.

Personal relationships are the fundamental unit of our society. Relationships are how we discover new ideas, understand our world and ultimately derive long-term happiness.

I have never met Mark, I’m not invested in Facebook, I don’t work with Facebook and I believe him 100 percent.

But I would argue that Facebook itself is a form of philanthropy.

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Groups Will Help Celebrities Avoid Embarrassment on Human Rights, New York Times

By BROOKS BARNES

Two philanthropic organizations are uniting to save celebrities like Hilary Swank and Beyoncé from the embarrassment of getting caught taking money from people or groups that abuse human rights.

Global Philanthropy Group, a celebrity-focused advisory firm, and Human Rights Watch on Thursday announced a free, confidential service to help stars and their handlers verify the records of people who want to hire them to appear at birthday parties and other private events. Continue reading

Global Philanthropy Group Launches Human Rights Record Verification Service

Global Philanthropy Group announced today the launch of a free, confidential service aimed at providing leaders in the entertainment industry with information on the human rights records of people with whom they are considering doing business. Global Philanthropy Group will use information from Human Rights Watch, which works to end human rights abuses around the world, to inform artists about the records of potential employers.

Click here to read the full press release.

President Obama Appoints Shakira to Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics

Today President Obama announced his intent to appoint Shakira Isabel Mebarak Ripoll as a member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

Global Philanthropy Group would like to congratulate Shakira on her new role and commend President Obama for his decision to appoint her to the commission.

Shakira has been deeply engaged for over a decade in a number of global education efforts, including the Barefoot Foundation, which she founded in 1995 at the age of 18.  Since that time, she has not only built schools & created programs to support approximately 6,000 children in Colombia, South Africa and Haiti, but has also been an outspoken advocate for the power of education to create peace worldwide.

In short, we cannot think of a better person for the job and look forward to great things to come from the Advisory Commission, which will provide advice to President Obama on education issues related to Hispanics and address academic excellence and opportunities for the Hispanic community.

To read the full press release from the White House, click here.

To read “Education for Peace”, an editorial for the Huffington Post by Shakira, click here.

The Clinton Global Initiative: Making Progress Where Others Have Failed, Huffington Post

When it was first created in 2005 by President Bill Clinton and his top advisor Doug Band, the Clinton Global Initiative (CGI) announced that it would convene the world’s leaders to work collaboratively to create innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing challenges.

A lot of people had their doubts; could Clinton still bring leaders together without the power of the White House? Would partisan acrimony hobble CGI’s ability to accomplish its lofty goals? Did the world need CGI? Continue reading

Giving What It Takes, Departures Magazine

Philanthropy is no longer just checkbooks and charity balls. Celebrities and CEOs looking to
make a real impact hire strategist Trevor Neilson and his partners at the Global Philanthropy Group.

Click here to read full article.