Rwanda

NASHVILLE, Tenn., November 19, 2009 — Synergy Production Group today announced the 2010 launch of the Hoops of Hope All-Stars Tour to raise funds for projects benefiting AIDS orphans in Africa. Deemed "the world's largest free throw festival," the events will take place across 12 cities throughout the United States, beginning in April through August 2010.

OAK BROOK, IL, June 16, 2009 — Liesel Pritzker, 25, has donated $4 million to Opportunity International, a non-profit that provides financial services to people living in poverty in the developing world. Though her contribution is one of the largest ever given to the organization, Pritzker's commitment is broader than just financial support. She is the founder of Young Ambassadors for Opportunity (YAO), a network of young professionals who aim to inspire, educate and involve others in microfinance and the work of Opportunity International.

New York, New York, June 2, 2009 — Today, the Committee Encouraging Corporate Philanthropy (CECP) shares a first-look at results from its annual philanthropy survey of nearly 140 leading companies, revealing that 53% of companies increased their total philanthropic donations in 2008, and 27% increased their giving by more than 10% year-over-year. Amid a challenging economy, business leaders continue to support their companies’ commitments to supporting their communities and advancing social and environmental programs around the world, further evidenced today as CECP presents the Excellence Awards in Corporate Philanthropy to two companies and one nonprofit.

The MasterCard Foundation has announced two new programs to expand savings initiatives in Tajikistan and Rwanda with Aga Khan Foundation Canada and CARE Canada. With a total investment of $9 million, these programs will strengthen and create innovations within the Village Savings and Loan Association (VSLA) model, benefiting approximately 900,000 people in remote communities, many of whom live on less than $2 a day.

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