I'm looking for charity advice

[Strat]

I have some cash left over from Christmas and I want to spend it the most effective way possible. I couldn't sleep last night cause I couldn't stop thinking about this because there are a few issues with donating to charities.

1.) A lot of them are corrupt. Some of them are ran by complete morons or by wealthy charlatans. There needs to be a particular degree of trust between myself and said charity before I donate.

2.) What cause should I donate to and why? One really doesn't have to look far to find problems in the world. The thing is a lot of causes could use your time rather than your dollar... At least I think so. This kinda segues into my next point.

3.) Should I donate to some far away cause (building wells in Africa or whatever) or something closer to home? This is the toughest decision. If I can form some degree of trust with a local charity then I would feel great because I could be more involved with my time as well.

At the moment I've been thinking about donating to a particular charity where you loan people money so they can get their business off the ground and they pay you back. Usually the denominations are like $20 or something like that. Folks use this money to buy goats, chickens or whatever and they pay you back. This way I could perpetually help folks over the years and it wouldn't take much of my time.

So Avalon, what do you think?

[Realeyes]

Hey Strat,
I think your answer is already contained within your post.
It is a very loving idea.
Thank you for sharing.

[jagman]

Hello Strat
I dont know how much your planning to donate but you could buy some food with that money
and donate the food to your local food pantry.

[Milneman]

Habitat for Humanity: google it. It's local, the people you're helping are taking an active role in creating a new reality for themselves, and they help to build community.

http://www.habitat.org/

[Bob]

If folks could take a look at this post here on Avalon, there are some absolutely great reasons to consider Avalon as a place to help out with -

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?59753-Why-I-m-Giving-a-Monthly-Donation-to-this-Forum&p=684439&viewfull=1#post684439

[GreenGuy]

Strat, my hat is off to you! We need millions more people thinking like you do. I do quite a bit of charity work, and I'm familiar with all the issues you bring up. So I have some suggestions, but they're just suggestions. You're quite right to stay away from the big-name charities that are mostly fronts. I personally have chosen to focus on efforts in my own community, but the needs are everywhere. I also like the micro-loan organizations - they seem to be making a real difference in parts of the world that need it worst. One hurdle for me was expecting others to believe or think like I do. I'm not a religious guy, but I've repeatedly gotten involved with church-based charities because after looking into them I admire the work they do.

Of course, I have no idea how much money you're talking about. If you have a hundred dollars, you can make a real difference for just a few people. And don't forget that your smile and willingness to help will make as lasting an impression as a bag of groceries. If you have a few thousand bucks you can make a huge difference if you use it wisely. I suspect you're somewhere in between. My own bias is in favor of local action but only you can decide. I know you're gonna enjoy yourself!

[S-L]

Project Greenhands (http://www.projectgreenhands.org/) is doing excellent work in India. Buy a few trees!

[Billy]

from your other charity thread


I used to donate to many charities, mostly by direct debits through the bank. But my experience during the Bosnian war opened my awareness to the criminal activities of exactly where donations ended up. For example, Criminal Mafia organizations.

So to make sure that the fund raising activities i was involved with to assist the Bosnian Muslims, Arrived for the people i was trying to help, I created my own charity organization, After fund raising events in the form of small music festivals, writing to various businesses, I purchased 2 Mini Buses to help kids get back to school. I drove them to Bosnia and delivered them myself.

I no longer have this activity in my life, But my good friend Magnus who also was inspired by his Bosnian Experience at the same time, carried on his great work
which now covers more than 40 countries worldwide. Working from his tin shed not far from me he has helped thousands of children in India, Africa, Haiti. etc.

Magnus is someone i trust. He provides one decent meal per day to children at school, this encourages them to come to school to be fed and be educated. I know my donations are making a difference.

Mary's Meals is the name of the charity.

EowuHMxIrxk

gffFOkH19Mo

Peace

[Sidney]

Have you considered sending it to Bill Ryan? If it weren't for him none of us would be here, and he moves mountains to keep this forum going.

[Bob]

Have you considered sending it to Bill Ryan? If it weren't for him none of us would be here, and he moves mountains to keep this forum going.




Default (http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?66888-I-m-looking-for-charity-advice&p=777490&viewfull=1#post777490) Re: I'm looking for charity advice
If folks could take a look at this post here on Avalon, there are some absolutely great reasons to consider Avalon as a place to help out with -

http://projectavalon.net/forum4/showthread.php?59753-Why-I-m-Giving-a-Monthly-Donation-to-this-Forum&p=684439&viewfull=1#post684439

really it is a great thread to read to find more about Avalon and the effort it takes to keep ProjectAvalon running :)

[Johnny]

Have you considered sending it to Bill Ryan? If it weren't for him none of us would be here, and he moves mountains to keep this forum going.

Yes, there is a 'how to donate' bottom on the top of this site :)

Johnny

[Deega]

Hi Strat, great of you to donate, I would suggest you give to a Education Foundation for young people. This way, your donation will serve for tomorrow, and we are here such that tomorrow will be a better place.

You may also help financially the non profit organization KIVA (Vancouver Base -www.kiva.net) who help poors people (Third World) get in business. Kiva loans small amount of money to projects that have merits.

The best to you!

[mosquito]

Hi Strat,

It's not for me or anyone else to judge what you do with your money, I'd respectfully suggest that you give it to a cause you FEEL passionate about. Many people give to charity out of a sense of obligation, or because it's the in-thing to do, and in my opinion that's probably not a wholesome action. So, find what touches your heart (and it doesn't have to be a "charity") :wizard:

[loc333]

I know bill could use the money and you have a great idea.Ihave kids and st.judes is something i,ve given to my whole life...^^^^^ it touches my heart.

[CD7]

Burn it on video!! hehehe


Ya know I always thought that being an anonymous giver would be cool. Ya know get to know people who are really hard up and find out wht they need and send it to them anonymously. This way you would know who was actually receiving the gift.

[Kimberley]

VERY GOOD question Strat!

I used to give to organizations, years ago...I always felt it was important to me to give to others...I still give a lot of $'s to others however now it is to people I mostly know personalty or via the internet.

I no longer give to organizations. I have a monthly donation to Avalon and I have bought several computers for friends I know in need to keep connected and to learn.

Mostly the computers have been a few years used and I take them to my second home Jamaica... I give them to friends that have never been on the internet..and I teach them how to navigate...

Many years ago I did give to organizations and claimed the tax deduction...I no longer care about the deduction...I want to support friends in need... from time to time friends here at Avalon or on facebook reach out and ask for help because they are at rock bottom...

And strangers on the street that I feel compelled to help, I do...

Follow your heart and give away, however I suggest organizations are not the best place...unless your heart tells you otherwise!

Much love, peace, health, joy, and fun to us all!!! :grouphug: