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Post by Bob on Feb 2, 2018 18:08:52 GMT -5
I'm curious what kinds of charitable organizations people support and why. The past few years my charitable giving has been reduced given that our income is quite a bit lower than it used to be. Each year I'd pick out a handful of smaller, worthy causes to support. I'd always research them using Charity Navigator or some other independent rating organization. I have always looked for well-run charities that put the money to good use and don't spend more than 10% on administrative costs. It used to be common for me to donate to the Red Cross on a regular basis, but I started to move away from them and focus on smaller charities. One year, rather than give gifts to my team during the holidays (they were other managers who reported to me), I asked them for a favorite charity and donated in their name. They liked that idea. So, what causes do people support? I've been a frequent contributor to The Fisher House Foundation. I've donated to Angel Flight in the past. One year I gave to Team River Runner. I've also given to Homes for our Troops. Earlier this year we donated to the Houston Food Bank after Hurricane Irma. So, what's important to folks when it comes to charitable giving? Any worthy charities out there that you recommend?
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Post by nkat on Feb 2, 2018 20:20:40 GMT -5
World Wildlife Organization for me.
NKat
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Post by QuickSilver on Feb 2, 2018 20:24:51 GMT -5
As an animal lover, I sponsor a cage at our Animal Welfare League. My gift feeds and gives medical care to the animals housed in that cage for the entire year. The cage has a plaque with our name saying the we are the proud sponsors of that cage..
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Post by nkat on Feb 2, 2018 20:28:16 GMT -5
As an animal lover, I sponsor a cage at our Animal Welfare League. My gift feeds and gives medical care to the animals housed in that cage for the entire year. The cage has a plaque with our name saying the we are the proud sponsors of that cage.. I like that! Ours does not do that.
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Post by chinadoll1981 on Feb 2, 2018 20:49:36 GMT -5
Tzu Chi...In Mandarin, “Tzu” means compassion, and “Chi” relief.... a socially engaged Buddhist group which provides active service to society and assistance to the poor and environmental causes. It is unique for many reasons, as interestingly it is dominated by women The founder and leader, Cheng Yen, is Buddhist Nun The laity is led by women. I have been active since I was teen. our footprints are all over the world.... in disaster relief... medicine...bringing hope....
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Post by Bob on Feb 3, 2018 17:25:31 GMT -5
I wish I was able to give more to charity. Years ago there was an organization here in MA that every year would spotlight a bunch of small, worthy charities that most would never have heard of. Each year I'd get some ideas from their list. I've given to the Red Cross during disasters, but there are so many deserving organizations that probably use the money to great effect.
I saw recently that Bill Gates is donating $100 million towards Alzheimer's research. They are funding new approaches to finding treatment and a cure. Sadly, his father is afflicted with the disease. I think it must be very rewarding to know that you have to financial resources to potentially help so many people. I think a lot of folks probably used to hate Bill Gates when he was running Microsoft, but the man has devoted so much of his personal fortune to helping others around the world. It's good to see that. Or take someone like Warren Buffett, who is leaving virtually all of his personal wealth to charity. Even someone as reprehensible as David Koch is known as a huge philanthropist.
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Post by highlandannie on Feb 3, 2018 20:31:39 GMT -5
When we lived in Uganda we often saw the very expensive vehicles the charities used like Save the Children parked in front of the most expensive hotels and at the poshest restaurants. I hesitate to give to charities because so much goes to huge paychecks for their directors. I know some still goes to the right places, but...... I do give to Oxfam at home. And I have given online to the Red Cross and Cancer charities and then they keep begging nonstop for more money. I recently gave to Planned Parenthood (in Pence's name) and also gave to the ACLU for membership.
We helped several people in Uganda - put one through university almost entirely on our own, helped several go to secondary school. I feel we've done our part to help deserving people. Still helping one Ugandan get his teaching degree.
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Post by smitty45 on Feb 3, 2018 21:15:42 GMT -5
Wish I could do more, but other than dropping a few quarters in help for homeless veterans ammo tins and Salvation Army kettles ( Christmas time ) is all I can do,, even if it;s the last cent I have.
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Post by chinadoll1981 on Feb 3, 2018 21:25:15 GMT -5
Wish I could do more, but other than dropping a few quarters in help for homeless veterans ammo tins and Salvation Army kettles ( Christmas time ) is all I can do,, even if it;s the last cent I have. when you give in that way... you do much.... when you give of what you have, even when tiny amount.... you build great merit.... You are man of honor....
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Post by smitty45 on Feb 3, 2018 21:27:30 GMT -5
Wish I could do more, but other than dropping a few quarters in help for homeless veterans ammo tins and Salvation Army kettles ( Christmas time ) is all I can do,, even if it;s the last cent I have. when you give in that way... you do much.... when you give of what you have, even when tiny amount.... you build great merit.... You are man of honor....Thank you very much
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Post by chinadoll1981 on Feb 3, 2018 21:30:54 GMT -5
when you give in that way... you do much.... when you give of what you have, even when tiny amount.... you build great merit.... You are man of honor.... Thank you very much 不客气 You're welcome
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Post by louie on Feb 4, 2018 9:28:06 GMT -5
Salvation Army, they do so much for folks who lose what they have in house fires or other events.
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Post by Bob on Feb 4, 2018 11:01:15 GMT -5
Salvation Army, they do so much for folks who lose what they have in house fires or other events. Yes, that is a good charity. When we have clothing to donate, it typically goes to the Salvation Army or to a local charity which supports displaced families who are getting back on their feet. They see a lot of single moms who are getting out of abusive situations. We give this local charity lots of things that a family would need if they were starting from scratch in an empty apartment.
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Post by louie on Feb 5, 2018 7:30:02 GMT -5
Salvation Army, they do so much for folks who lose what they have in house fires or other events. Yes, that is a good charity. When we have clothing to donate, it typically goes to the Salvation Army or to a local charity which supports displaced families who are getting back on their feet. They see a lot of single moms who are getting out of abusive situations. We give this local charity lots of things that a family would need if they were starting from scratch in an empty apartment. When my son's apartment burned, they helped him immensely along with Catholic Charities who also helped them out. I was quite impressed.
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Post by Warrigal on Feb 9, 2018 20:44:54 GMT -5
My giving is mostly through planned giving from my bank account. The largest contribution is to my church and the money is used to pay the minister's stipend and to keep open the doors of the church by paying for electricity, water, cleaning and building maintenance. The church in turn supports a 60 place long day care centre and 8 retirement units for aged care (self care only). It also runs inexpensive playgroups for local families and from time to time special courses in cooking for a family on a tight budget.
I have chosen Medicins sans Frontiers as my overseas charity because they are uncompromising in their insistence of autonomy for their work, even, or specially, in war zones. They are often first on the ground in emergencies such as earthquakes because they are working in so many countries where they are needed.
In Australia I support the Rural Fire Service which is a volunteer organisation that is needed every fire season. Sometimes they lose equipment, including their fire trucks and sadly sometimes they lose their lives.
I make occasional contributions to national appeals and doorknocks such as the Red Shield Appeal (Salvation Army) and disaster relief. I am also a sucker for kids doorknocking to raise funds for local schools or Little Athletics.
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