Why Are Charities Feeding Bill's Ego?

Norway, Netherlands, Brangelina vow to help

(NEWSER) - Over 1,000 philanthropists pledged billions of dollars at this year's Clinton Global Initiative, where the ex-president annually brings together world leaders, corporate biggies and change-minded celebs. Angelina Jolie plans to educate 1 million children in conflicted areas; Brad Pitt pledged $5 million to build homes in New Orleans, and Norway and the Netherlands promised $1.2 billion to save the lives of pregnant women and babies in Africa. More»

(NEWSER) - Habitat for Humanity has received a $100 million gift from a developer in the largest contribution in the charity’s history, the AP reports. J. Ronald Terwilliger said he hoped the gift would “inspire others to make the commitment to support affordable housing.” Habitat says the money will help build 60,000 homes nationwide. A philanthropy watcher said the show of generosity was “remarkable.” More»

Fun intended to hush critics who call film 'poverty porn'

(NEWSER) - To combat accusations that Oscar sensation Slumdog Millionaire is a form of “poverty porn,” the filmmakers have donated about $740,000 toward a health education initiative in Mumbai’s slums, the Times of London reports. The funds are in addition to trusts set up for the movie’s child actors. “Some but not all” who gained from Slumdog’s $90 million profit contributed, the producer says. More»

No quid-pro-quo, say both sides

(NEWSER) - A New York developer donated $100,000 to Bill Clinton’s foundation about the same time Sen. Hillary Clinton pushed for millions in federal assistance that helped the developer, the New York Times reports. Robert J. Congel was building a mall that Clinton supported “purely as part of her unwavering commitment to improving upstate New York’s struggling economy,” insisted a representative for the senator. More»

'Philanthropic dynamo' took '05 donation from shady Internet firm

(NEWSER) - Hillary Clinton's strong public stance against the crackdown in Tibet flies in the face of her husband's past fundraising ties in China, reports the LA Times. At the crux is a 2005 speech the former president gave for which he received an undisclosed donation to his charitable foundation—from Internet giant Alibaba. More»