Sometimes I will see some article online about some poor family whose home burned down on their child's birthday and that on that same day, their other child was diagnosed with cancer, or something horrible like that, and donations from strangers poured in and now they have half a million dollars to buy another home. And I feel guilty that I never give money to these unfortunate strangers because their stories are so compelling.
But when it really comes down to it, I think these donations are a little ridiculous. For every sob story on the Internet that gets way too much money, there are probably thousands of other families in a similar position who aren't as attractive, don't have as compelling a story, or just aren't as Internet savvy or lucky enough for their story to have gone viral. And those families get nothing.
It's sort of like the lottery, in a way. One family gets rewarded with more than they actually need, while everyone else gets nothing.
I think it's great that there are people out there kind enough to donate their money to help others. We make donations every year, but I let my husband handle it because I think he is smarter about choosing charities that are worthy (I know he gives a lot to Doctors without Borders). I just think it makes more sense to donate to a large charity that will help a large number of people, instead of just rewarding one lucky family.
What charities do you think are worthwhile to donate to?
Look foe established LOCAL charities that work in your community. IRS non-profits....look to see how much goes to administrative and fund raising costs (it should be minimal). Soup kitchens, animal shelters, free clinics, local Make A Wish chapters, teen centers, 4-H clubs, etc. The money will be used in YOUR community. Those big charities are often top heavy, and you never know how or where the funds will be used. Remember too, a little goes a long way. I used to work for a small local non- profit. Our average donation was under $25, but many, many donations combined did great work.
ReplyDeleteI send a portion of my PFD a to Planned Parenthood each year.
ReplyDeleteI like both your suggestions, and would add St. Jude to the list. No child is turned away. Regarding a previous post on LP, I don't care if you're a rural doctor, an
ReplyDeleteurban doctor or even a witch doctor, you're all doing an incredible job under very trying circumstances.
- Paul
Pediatric cancer research! With only 4% of Cancer donations being allocated for pediatric cancer research and with 47 new children diagnosed every school day they are in need of funding (organizations that just deal in pediatric research not ca cer as a whole)!
ReplyDeleteWe donate to Children's Hospital of Philadelphia (where my husband received cancer treatments as a child), St. Judes, Foster and Adoptive Care Coalition, and Heifer International. I never donate to individual families (unless you count my husband's disaster of a family).
ReplyDeleteI like charities that help people help themselves. I believe in the adage about giving a man a fish versus teaching him to fish for himself.
ReplyDeleteI also think large international aid organizations do a lot of great work for disaster relief, and have donated to the Red Cross for that purpose too.
I am into local ones that help local interests. Otherwise, I check them out with Guidestar or charitynavigator. Some I would never give to because years later they refuse to take me off their lists - St. Jude is the worst.
ReplyDeleteI am completely resentful of the donations. The only way I can have kids is by spending a lot of dough. I can't adopt from the state due to a medication I take (seriously, it's bullshit). So, I will be childless and I get pissed at the money that people get donated because I can't get any of it. Irrational, yeah, but at least I realize that.
ReplyDeleteI would argue that your donations will go farther in the third world. One helpful resource in finding the most cost effective charities is givewell.org. I have put some thought into this since I give 10% of my income to charity ( and I'm not wealthy). Really, you have to think about what causes matter most to you. I care about maternal health so I donate to Doctors without Borders, and the Fistula Foundation.
ReplyDeleteWe tend to focus on charities that provide food, clothing and shelter; both locally and internationally. We also donate where we have a personal connection: sponsoring friends for sporting fundraisers, our favorite museum, kid's school, etc.
ReplyDeleteI second the recommendation of Heifer International. I think they do a good job getting the donations to the people in need, and their mission is to help people get on their own feet and spread the help in their communities. Also, they immediately and politely took me off of their mailing list when I asked.
ReplyDeleteFor something like the SPCA, you should know that there is a national organization, and then there are local (usually state) chapters and they are not necessarily closely associated. I recommend giving to the state chapter because the national organization is more propaganda/advertising-focused.