Latest news with #DAF
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Scotsman
13 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Households Support Fund 2025: UK families urged to apply
The Household Support Fund where you are: Scotland In Scotland, support is provided through programs such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for emergencies and Community Care Grants for essential household items. Additional cost-of-living support is distributed through local councils and targeted schemes such as the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps with energy costs. Eligibility and application processes vary but generally focus on low-income households and those receiving benefits. Wales Wales uses a combination of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and council-administered programs to assist struggling households. The DAF provides Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential costs, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items. The Welsh government has also introduced targeted cost-of-living payments and energy bill support. Applications for DAF are made online, by phone or via support agencies, with funding typically targeted at low-income individuals and families. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, support is available through schemes like Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants Discretionary Support Payments provide short-term financial aid for those in a crisis or emergency situation. Fuel support and cost-of-living payments have been implemented as part of broader government initiatives to tackle poverty and rising energy costs. Applications are made through the Department for Communities or local councils, and eligibility often depends on income and household circumstances.
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Scotsman
14 hours ago
- Business
- Scotsman
Households Support Fund 2025: UK families urged to apply
The Household Support Fund where you are: Scotland In Scotland, support is provided through programs such as the Scottish Welfare Fund and Discretionary Housing Payments. The Scottish Welfare Fund offers Crisis Grants for emergencies and Community Care Grants for essential household items. Additional cost-of-living support is distributed through local councils and targeted schemes such as the Fuel Insecurity Fund, which helps with energy costs. Eligibility and application processes vary but generally focus on low-income households and those receiving benefits. Wales Wales uses a combination of the Discretionary Assistance Fund (DAF) and council-administered programs to assist struggling households. The DAF provides Emergency Assistance Payments (EAPs) for essential costs, such as food or energy, and Individual Assistance Payments (IAPs) for essential household items. The Welsh government has also introduced targeted cost-of-living payments and energy bill support. Applications for DAF are made online, by phone or via support agencies, with funding typically targeted at low-income individuals and families. Northern Ireland In Northern Ireland, support is available through schemes like Discretionary Support Payments and Additional Financial Support Grants Discretionary Support Payments provide short-term financial aid for those in a crisis or emergency situation. Fuel support and cost-of-living payments have been implemented as part of broader government initiatives to tackle poverty and rising energy costs. Applications are made through the Department for Communities or local councils, and eligibility often depends on income and household circumstances.
CairoScene
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- CairoScene
Diriyah's ‘Maknana' Exhibit Reclaims New Media Art Through Arab Lens
Diriyah's 'Maknana' Exhibit Reclaims New Media Art Through Arab Lens As an emerging medium, New Media Art is often associated with globalised aesthetics and Western art institutions—but a new exhibition at Diriyah Art Futures (DAF) in Saudi Arabia rewires that narrative. 'Maknana', a term derived from the Arabic word for "automation," gathers 50 Arab artists to explore how digital technologies, from AI to early computer graphics, can map a cultural landscape where the Arab creator stands fixed in the centre. The exhibition demonstrates an authenticity and originality of expression that is neither borne out of Western imitation nor a grasping for a reclaimed past. Curated by Dr. Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis, the show foregrounds Arab artists as the architects—not recipients—of New Media's evolution, treating technology as both canvas and co-creator. As the second exhibition at DAF, 'Maknana: An Archaeology of New Media Art in the Arab World' reflects the hub's ongoing commitment to stimulating the digital art ecosystem in Saudi Arabia and beyond. The name alone feels more like a thesis than a title, capturing the versatility of technology in an artistic context, being—as the curators put it—'a medium for exploration, a tool in the production process, or even a collaborative nonhuman partner in the creative output.' Beginning with the early experiments of the 1960s, across the scale-up art movement of the 1990s, to the cutting-edge digital, robotic and AI-enhanced productions of the 21st century, the definition for New Media Art is as expansive and inclusive as the collection implies. 'New Media Art can be an umbrella term for an open-ended genre of artistic practice that utilises emerging technologies,' the curators explain. Yet, there remains a more urgent definition of New Media Art - one that is proffered by Dr. Haytham Nawar and Ala Younis in their curation. For Arab artists, these new mediums have represented and continue to represent an urgent challenge to traditional western-centric forms of art and create new modes of expression that assert Arab origin. 'We felt that the research and selection process was like an archaeological act,' Nawar and Younis reveal. 'It also aimed to make the micro-histories of new media art related to the Arab World more visible.' Unfolding over four themes—Automation, Autonomy, Ripples, and Glitch—each piece represents and provokes an excavation of art, humanity, society, and the machine. The Automation section seeks to investigate the logic of systems and machines—and how this logic is reflected and utilised in creative practices. Autonomy then takes the factual narrative of Automation and transforms it into a treatise on personal and political expression. In Ripples, the cross-cultural, multidisciplinary, and trans-chronological nature of new media art is illustrated throughout the section. And finally, in Glitch, the errors and disruptions which accompany new technologies are re-coded as metaphors for Arab resilience and adaptation. 'Arab artists represent a refreshingly dynamic and diverse range of views and practices that are in direct conversation with the political and social scenes they emerged within,' the curators explain. 'Every project in the exhibition is full of meanings, as much as of technological manoeuvres, exploration, or manifestation.' The scale feels profound, but the effect is cohesive. Collectively they dissect, disband, and reassemble the notions of how art is created. While Arab artists, at home or in the diaspora, are uniquely situated to challenge dominant global narratives and paradigms with their art, Saudi artists stand at a unique crossroads of opportunity. Working in a country with a particular abundance of youth potential, armed with unprecedented technological literacy and engagement, there is a sense of talent bubbling in the Saudi arts scene which spills into 'Maknana', and out of DAF. Among the Saudi artists pioneering this New Media rearticulation is Ahmed Mater. At 'Maknana', he provides a collection of media objects that recall the media associated with growing up in Saudi Arabia. His art pushes the boundaries of 2G phones and bluetooth connections to their expressive limits, paying witness to the modernisation and expansion of media in the Kingdom. Muhannad Shono employs a robotic creative which constantly migrates and transforms in its location, whilst Mohammed Alsaleem's early computer drawings, created via Paint software, provide a digital version of his signature 'horizontal' shapes. Ruba Al Sweel provides a collection of video material collated from Saudi internet and cell phone culture. Abundant in glitches and digital economy, they offer a unique insight into the experience of crisis in the digital age, through digital means. Finally, we enter the present day with ARC's (Abdullah Rashed) work on NFTs, which utilises and addresses the emerging aesthetics of internet art. Accompanied by a comprehensive public programme, DAF continues to position itself as both an archive of Arab artistry and an aperture for the artists of tomorrow. 'Ultimately,' the curators say, 'we want visitors to leave with a renewed appreciation for the richness of Arab contributions to New Media Art, and a broader understanding of how technology can be both a tool of creation and a medium of reflection.' The exhibition will run at Diriyah Art Futures, situated near the UNESCO World Heritage Site of At-Turaif, until July 19th, 2025.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
One of the most attractive — and sometimes secretive — ways the wealthy donate money could soon get even more popular
A provision in Trump's tax bill could make donor-advised funds an even more popular form of giving. DAFs are especially attractive to the ultrawealthy because of big tax advantages. Some experts told BI they're seeing DAF donations among the wealthy change in the post-Trump era. As President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" moves through Congress, a provision hiking taxes on private foundations could make another form of philanthropy even more attractive: donor-advised funds. Donor-advised funds, or DAFs, are accounts where donors can contribute funds, immediately get a tax deduction, and "advise" on where to donate — and they are becoming increasingly popular. As Daniel Heist, a professor at Brigham Young University and a lead researcher on the 2025 National Survey of DAF Donors, put it, "they're growing like crazy." Donors can contribute non-cash assets, like appreciated securities or crypto, to DAFs, and the funds grow over time. BI spoke with academics, DAF sponsors, and nonprofits about why major donors use DAFs, how the tax bill and Trump are changing the calculus, and the risks of the "opaque" form of philanthropy. Sponsoring organizations, which are themselves public charities, operate DAFs. Some of the largest are connected to investment firms like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab, though others include community foundations or religious organizations. Technically, donors don't control the funds in their DAF, but practically speaking, they can direct the money to any accredited charity. "As long as you're following the rules of the DAF provider, you should always have those recommendations honored," Mitch Stein, the head of strategy at Chariot, a technology company focused on DAFs, said. Private foundations have to distribute at least 5% of their assets annually for charitable purposes, but DAFs don't have payout requirements. Donors also don't report their gifts to individual organizations on their taxes, and instead report that they gave to the DAF. If Trump's fiscal agenda passes in the Senate (it has already passed in the House of Representatives), it would raise the current 1.39% tax on private foundations' investment incomes. The rate would rise to 10% on foundations worth $5 billion or more, to 5% for those worth between $250 and $5 billion, and to 2.8% for those worth between $50 million and $250 million. It wouldn't change for foundations worth less than $50 million. "There already was a substantial amount of momentum toward donor-advised funds, and a bill like this would only magnify that," Brian Mittendorf, a professor at Ohio State University who has studied DAFs, told BI. Though people across net worths use DAFs — Heist called them a common "mid-range philanthropic tool" — they're particularly attractive to the rich. The 2025 survey of DAF donors found that of 2,100 respondents, who were surveyed between July to September 2024, 96% had a net worth of more than $1 million. "I definitely see a trend away from private foundations," Heist said. Rebecca Moffett, the president of Vanguard Charitable, a prominent DAF provider, said she's seeing the same pattern. The main draw has to do with taxes, according to data and the experts. In the 2025 survey, 62% of donors said tax advantages were a strong motivation for opening a DAF account. Jeffrey Correa, Senior Director of US philanthropy at the International Rescue Committee, told BI that there's been an "explosion" of major donors giving through DAFs. The ability to contribute non-cash assets is also a big factor. Donating appreciated assets lets the donor avoid paying capital gains taxes (in the 2025 survey, 51% of respondents said reducing capital gains taxes was a big consideration). Convenience is another benefit, experts said, since DAFs are more streamlined and cheap than private foundations. Then there's the question of privacy, beyond how DAF donations show up on tax filings. Donors can choose varying levels of anonymity when donating to recipient nonprofits. Only 4% of donors in the 2025 survey opted to be totally anonymous to the recipient organizations, most commonly to avoid public recognition or solicitation. Just 24% said they wanted to avoid scrutiny. Generally, the experts BI spoke with said they don't see confidentiality as the primary appeal of DAFs. Moffett and Correa said they haven't seen more major donors opt for anonymity or express concerns about confidentiality. Most of those BI spoke to were enthusiastic about DAFs, but some flagged risks. Mittendorf and Helen Flannery, an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, found through a study that DAFs distribute grants to politically engaged organizations 1.7 times more than other funders. "They can be great conduits for dark money because they're completely opaque," Flannery said, adding that the public doesn't always know where donors' DAF funds go. Risks aside, the wealthy seem as interested as ever in using DAFs — and in turn slowly eroding the private foundations that once defined the philanthropic world. Have a tip or something to share about your giving? Contact this reporter via email at atecotzky@ or Signal at alicetecotzky.05. Use a personal email address and a nonwork device; here's our guide to sharing information securely. Read the original article on Business Insider Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
Business Insider
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Insider
One of the most attractive — and sometimes secretive — ways the wealthy donate money could soon get even more popular
As President Donald Trump's"big beautiful bill" moves through Congress, a provision hiking taxes on private foundations could make another form of philanthropy even more attractive: donor-advised funds. Donor-advised funds, or DAFs, are accounts where donors can contribute funds, immediately get a tax deduction, and "advise" on where to donate — and they are becoming increasingly popular. As Daniel Heist, a professor at Brigham Young University and a lead researcher on the 2025 National Survey of DAF Donors, put it, "they're growing like crazy." Donors can contribute non-cash assets, like appreciated securities or crypto, to DAFs, and the funds grow over time. BI spoke with academics, DAF sponsors, and nonprofits about why major donors use DAFs, how the tax bill and Trump are changing the calculus, and the risks of the "opaque" form of philanthropy. DAFs have a few key differences compared to private foundations Sponsoring organizations, which are themselves public charities, operate DAFs. Some of the largest are connected to investment firms like Fidelity, Vanguard, and Schwab, though others include community foundations or religious organizations. Technically, donors don't control the funds in their DAF, but practically speaking, they can direct the money to any accredited charity. "As long as you're following the rules of the DAF provider, you should always have those recommendations honored," Mitch Stein, the head of strategy at Chariot, a technology company focused on DAFs, said. Private foundations have to distribute at least 5% of their assets annually for charitable purposes, but DAFs don't have payout requirements. Donors also don't report their gifts to individual organizations on their taxes, and instead report that they gave to the DAF. Republicans' tax bill hits private foundations If Trump's fiscal agenda passes in the Senate (it has already passed in the House of Representatives), it would raise the current 1.39% tax on private foundations' investment incomes. The rate would rise to 10% on foundations worth $5 billion or more, to 5% for those worth between $250 and $5 billion, and to 2.8% for those worth between $50 million and $250 million. It wouldn't change for foundations worth less than $50 million. Please help BI improve our Business, Tech, and Innovation coverage by sharing a bit about your role — it will help us tailor content that matters most to people like you. What is your job title? (1 of 2) Entry level position Project manager Management Senior management Executive management Student Self-employed Retired Other Continue By providing this information, you agree that Business Insider may use this data to improve your site experience and for targeted advertising. By continuing you agree that you accept the Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . "There already was a substantial amount of momentum toward donor-advised funds, and a bill like this would only magnify that," Brian Mittendorf, a professor at Ohio State University who has studied DAFs, told BI. DAFs are especially helpful for the ultrawealthy Though people across net worths use DAFs — Heist called them a common "mid-range philanthropic tool" — they're particularly attractive to the rich. The 2025 survey of DAF donors found that of 2,100 respondents, who were surveyed between July to September 2024, 96% had a net worth of more than $1 million. "I definitely see a trend away from private foundations," Heist said. Rebecca Moffett, the president of Vanguard Charitable, a prominent DAF provider, said she's seeing the same pattern. The main draw has to do with taxes, according to data and the experts. In the 2025 survey, 62% of donors said tax advantages were a strong motivation for opening a DAF account. Jeffrey Correa, Senior Director of US philanthropy at the International Rescue Committee, told BI that there's been an "explosion" of major donors giving through DAFs. The ability to contribute non-cash assets is also a big factor. Donating appreciated assets lets the donor avoid paying capital gains taxes (in the 2025 survey, 51% of respondents said reducing capital gains taxes was a big consideration). Convenience is another benefit, experts said, since DAFs are more streamlined and cheap than private foundations. Then there's the question of privacy, beyond how DAF donations show up on tax filings. Donors can choose varying levels of anonymity when donating to recipient nonprofits. Only 4% of donors in the 2025 survey opted to be totally anonymous to the recipient organizations, most commonly to avoid public recognition or solicitation. Just 24% said they wanted to avoid scrutiny. Generally, the experts BI spoke with said they don't see confidentiality as the primary appeal of DAFs. Moffett and Correa said they haven't seen more major donors opt for anonymity or express concerns about confidentiality. Giving can be 'opaque' Most of those BI spoke to were enthusiastic about DAFs, but some flagged risks. Mittendorf and Helen Flannery, an associate fellow at the Institute for Policy Studies, found through a study that DAFs distribute grants to politically engaged organizations 1.7 times more than other funders. "They can be great conduits for dark money because they're completely opaque," Flannery said, adding that the public doesn't always know where donors' DAF funds go. Risks aside, the wealthy seem as interested as ever in using DAFs — and in turn slowly eroding the private foundations that once defined the philanthropic world.
