In the upcoming anthology I am publishing, I had pledged to donate all the profits to Red Cross. However, since then, a few people have made me aware of a scandal involving Red Cross.
I'm not sure how much of this all is legitimate. I always thought of Red Cross as being really a good charity. But I don't want to donate money to them if it's not going to go to the right place. I feel like donating to Third World countries is the best use of donations.
Another alternative is Doctors Without Borders, which we already donate to. But I liked the idea of Red Cross better, because it seem to encompass all medical specialties more generally.
Thoughts?
I don't know how much money you're talking about in royalties, but if you're looking for a large, well-known charity that all your readers can get behind, but not one tainted by scandal, I'd suggest we all look at Charitywatch.org. They list both the good and the bad. The Red Cross's problem has always been that they underestimate the amounts that go to "administrative" functions (which is not limited to office expenses but includes salaries deemed excessive, travel allowances, parties and other "excesses"). Some watchdog organizations have claimed that upwards of 25% of what the Red Cross collects doesn't go to the people they putatively help. CharityWatch also rates "good" charities (their criteria is explained). Personally, I'd like to cast a vote for PetSmart Charities but then I prefer animals to people.
ReplyDeleteAgreed. Please do not go for the Red Cross. The org that exposes that isn't perfect, they do "hide" views not of their own, but they are dead on for that. Doctors without Borders would be better. Just check on charitywatch.
DeleteAnother volunteer and donator.
I have a hard time supporting a company that sells milled animals, which PetSmart does. Nevermind the wild caught ones.
DeleteTry checking snopes
ReplyDeleteI used to give to the Red Cross. I read recently that the head of Red Cross is more interested in good PR (photo ops with celebs taking priority over post-disaster field work) than efficient delivery of relief. Also, their blood services drive our family crazy. My husband has CMV-free blood and throughout his life has given galloons of blood. My son also. But a few years ago, they started driving us nuts with unrelenting phone requests for blood. If we had just given blood, they'd call-- even when it was too early to donate again. Last time I checked, blood in California costs $800 a pint. I guess they pay big bucks for banks of telemarketers to annoy donors.
ReplyDeleteJen in San Jose
I hate it when charities basically punish you for donating
DeleteI had the same problem with the Red Cross. I now donate through my local hospital.
DeleteThe Salvation Army has a much better track record for its disaster services compared to the Red Cross.
ReplyDeleteDocV
Yes, but I'm not too crazy about their policy against homosexuality:
Deletehttp://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/4422938
But is it worth punishing the population they serve because of their viewpoint? If the yardstick is how efficiently they use donations, I'm not sure how homosexuality enters the picture.
DeleteThere are lots of non-bigoted charities out there who can help that same population though. I'd rather give to them.
DeleteJust going to pull you up on your use of "third world countries". A term originally used regarding the cold war and erroneously used to refer to economic growth. The 'first world' originally started giving money/supplies to the 'third world' in exchange for support.
ReplyDelete"Developing world" also has its criticisms.
What is it you want to stop/prevent/improve? Poverty? Hunger? Easily treatable diseases?
I prefer Give Well for evaluating charities... they really explain their basis behind a rating.
http://www.givewell.org/international/top-charities/deworm-world-initiative
I loved Kiva for my own donations as you could see the people it helped then donate again with the same money.
My father, until he died last year at 93, refused to donate to the American Red Cross. It seems they tried to sell coffee and donuts to soldiers during WW II. Those memories were still strong 70+ years later.
ReplyDeleteHow about Pediatric Cancer Research? Of all the monies donated to cancer research less than 5% is allocated to pediatric cancer, specifically!!!! It's scary & so sad especially since "Cancer is the leading cause of death by disease in children & adolescents ages 0-19 years of age. In 2014 alone, approximately 15,780 children were diagnosed w/ cancer. Of those 15,780 cases roughly 2000 of those children died!"
ReplyDeleteAlong those lines there's Make A Wish, The Andrew McDonough B+ (B Positive) Foundation & WIGS4KIDS (Michigan). I'll be donating my hair to them for the third & final time on September 15, 2015 in memory of my baby (lol) brother's 40th birthday! I'd highly recommend AVOIDING Locks of Love!
In the end, Fizzy, it's admirable you're planning to donate the proceeds of your next book & anywhere you decide should be commended!!!!!
Either MSF or Feeding America are great charities with low overhead.
ReplyDelete