|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Every one wants my money.
|
Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
|
Posted
This is the time of year when all the well deserving causes are asking for my cash. I live on a small retirement income and so want to give in the best way I can from my limited budget. Do I give a little to each, or choose one or two and make a more meaningful donation. The Philippines could use the big chunk this year, but then I think many will be giving to that cause, perhaps at the cost to smaller local needs. The on going work of the others need help year after year of course to do their good work so should I not divide it up among some of them. I always give to the two local charities of the local fire stations drive for life saving devices, as well as local food and gifts for my neighbors in need. The I want to help some national groups. I try and make sure that organizations that I give most of the money to and have low overhead. How do you decide where your money should go?
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Graven Image
Shipmate
# 8755
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Graven Image:
This is the time of year when all the well deserving causes are asking for my cash. I live on a small retirement income and so want to give in the best way I can from my limited budget. Do I give a little to each, or choose one or two and make a more meaningful donation? The Philippines could use the big chunk this year, but then I think many will be giving to that cause, perhaps at the cost to smaller local needs. The on going work of the others need help year after year of course to do their good work so should I not divide it up among some of them? I always give to the two local charities of the local fire stations drive for life saving devices, as well as local food and gifts for my neighbors in need. I want to help some national groups. I try and make sure that the organizations that I give most of the money to and have low overhead. How do you decide where your money should go?
corrected to add a question mark.
Posts: 2641 | From: Third planet from the sun. USA | Registered: Nov 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Twilight
Puddleglum's sister
# 2832
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Graven Image:
How do you decide where your money should go?
Good question. As you say, we all get tons of requests this time of year. I know many people feel more generous around Christmas and some like to get a donation in before year-end tax totals. That's actually why I save any big lump gifts till summer. I think it might be needed more then.
Another thing I keep in mind is whether or not this is a big charity that has a huge drive every year. If it is, I check Charity Navigator to see what percentage of donations is going for overhead costs. While there, I look at more obscure charities that might get ignored.
I've seen lists of diseases that doctors rate high on the scale of human suffering and noticed the huge discrepancies in the amount we give per person with different diseases. Sometimes the amount we, as a country, give has more to do with whether or not a famous person has the problem or not.
I would suggest we consider all this -- and then go where our heart leads us. It's all good.
Posts: 6817 | Registered: May 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
The Undercover Christian
Apprentice
# 17875
|
Posted
A quick thought about overhead costs in an uncharacteristically non-comedic post from me.
You're absolutely right to want to give to organisations that keep support costs low. Some people though I think could do with re-thinking their attitude towards this.
I was in the barbers this morning, while 11.3 million people have been utterly ruined or killed in the Philippines. The bloke next to me (in his Abercrombie and Fitch top) was saying "Yeah, I don't give money to these big charities, you can't be sure they'll spend it properly, can you?"
Yeah. That's the right attitude to improving global supply-chain efficiency in complex emergency response. Opt out completely. Enjoy your leisurely haircut, chai latte and safe warm home, mate.
Most large and well-established international NGOs (such as Oxfam, Tearfund, Save The Children, Medicines Sans Frontieres, etc) now manage to keep 'overheads' pretty low by comparison to what they're actually delivering. In fact, some could be more readily cricitised for keeping support costs *too* low and failing to invest in infrastructure that improves efficiency.
The average US support costs for a non-profit are 14%, which is comparable to the UK. Oxfam, for example, spend 9% on support costs. The vast majority of any gift goes directly on aid.
The reality is that any significant assistance involves complexity. Aid organisations work in some of the most challenging environments in the world - Afghanistan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Somalia, Mali, Haiti... making sure that aid is effective, efficient and delivered safely requires support costs.
Thanks for giving!
--------------------
http://www.theundercoverchristian.com
Posts: 26 | Registered: Oct 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
LutheranChik
Shipmate
# 9826
|
Posted
Sadly, it seems like the last couple of years disasters have fallen upon the planet right around the holidays, so our money has been targeted toward disaster relief. We just sent money to help the Philippines through ELCA Disaster Relief, not only because it's our denominational agency but because 100 percent of donations are going directly to boots-on-the-ground aid.
We also like to support Lutheran World Relief and Heifer Project for their more long-term sustainable development work and their empowerment of women entrepreneurs.
At Eastertime I used to send a small donation to something called the World Seed Fund, a sectarian organization that provided non-hybrid seeds to people around the world -- seeds that allow farmers and gardeners to save their own seeds, develop their own landraces, etc. It seemed appropriate, in a season that's about new life I could help nurture new green life on the planet. But they had a fire at their headquarters that pretty much destroyed their organization; I think they're trying to get things going again but I haven't visited their website lately.
--------------------
Simul iustus et peccator
http://www.lutheranchiklworddiary.blogspot.com
Posts: 6462 | From: rural Michigan, USA | Registered: Jul 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ariel
Shipmate
# 58
|
Posted
This last week I've been asked for money for:
The Poppy Day Appeal
Movember (twice)
The British Red Cross Philippines Appeal
The Cafod Philippines Appeal
The DEC Philippines Appeal
Children in Need
Several homeless people on the street.
It was a fairly easy decision.
Posts: 25445 | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Lyda*Rose
Ship's broken porthole
# 4544
|
Posted
Some organization sent my dad a two dollar bill as some sort of illustrative come-on. He pocketed it. He gives to his church, the Salvation Army, and the local mission.
--------------------
"Dear God, whose name I do not know - thank you for my life. I forgot how BIG... thank you. Thank you for my life." ~from Joe Vs the Volcano
Posts: 21377 | From: CA | Registered: May 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
|
Posted
I like a variety of international and local charities. Like LutheranChik, I support Heifer Project. The Methodist Church also has a relief fund which uses 100% of the money to help people in need.
There's not much money in the purse, but I do like to help out where I can. Sometimes it's as simple as buying extra food for our church food pantry.
I really do wish I could do more.
--------------------
Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Firenze
Ordinary decent pagan
# 619
|
Posted
I'm a bit troubled that my FB page now loads with an appeal from the Red Cross/Crescent for the Philippines hard wired in apparently.
It makes me immediately want to give to some cause that doesn't have the same clout.
Posts: 17302 | From: Edinburgh | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
|
Posted
I agree with Firenze - any charity that comes on too strong with the manipulation tactics gets short shrift. I have a small number of trusted charities that I support regularly. Other than that, it's just a few coins in a collecting tin or a small amount via friends who don't shove a sponsorship form right under my nose in a demanding way.
--------------------
Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Roseofsharon
Shipmate
# 9657
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
any charity that comes on too strong with the manipulation tactics gets short shrift.
I had a 'phone call from a UNICEF fundraiser yesterday. He started off asking for a minute of my time - but took far more.
Then he went in to a spiel about the children suffering in the Phillipines - I interrupted him to say that I had already made a donation to the DEC appeal. That was good, but... he continued with his script about the longer term needs of children in various dreadful circumstances, and could I make a regular monthly donation of £12 to UNICEF.
I said I couldn't as I only have the state pension and am already committed on a regular basis to other charities. Not good enough, apparently - a repeat of the script about the long-term needs etc, and could I give them £8 per month? I repeated that I was as committed as I could afford to be, giving regularly to other charities - and blow me down, he started to ask if I would give them £4 per month.
At which point I said that he had had my answer and that if he continued I never would give to UNICEF.
Which I won't anyway.
Nor do I give to charities that send me free pens, bookmarks, notelets, greetings cards or raffle tickets.
I support fundraising events for local charities, put donations in envelopes put through the door, support a couple of national charities by DD, and give what I can to the major disaster relief appeals.
And donate to & buy from charity shops.
--------------------
Talk about books -any books- on our rejuvenatedforum http://www.bookgrouponline.com/index.php?
Posts: 3060 | From: Sussex By The Sea | Registered: Jun 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
OddJob
Shipmate
# 17591
|
Posted
A small number of significant donations, selected by similar criteria to those of other posters. And giving to the work of people we personally know who've gone to work for charities.
We don't feel awkward these days in declining other deserving causes, but cite the 'small number of significant donations and nowt more' principle. At the same time I think it's important to be polite to workers from other charities. Even if they're more probably 'chuggers' from organisations used by mainstream charities that my son's told me unedifying tales about.
The major drawback of this approach is that social need can't be predicted in advance when donation priorities are decided upon.
One type of charity we never give to is any that make spam phone calls - in breach of Telephone Preference Service rules. My response to such calls is that their cause is probably deserving, but we've given them time by taking their spam calls instead of giving money.
Posts: 97 | From: West Midlands | Registered: Mar 2013
| IP: Logged
|
|
Adam.
Like as the
# 4991
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by The Undercover Christian:
In fact, some could be more readily cricitised for keeping support costs *too* low and failing to invest in infrastructure that improves efficiency.
This has long been a worry of mine, actually. There seems to be a big pressure on charities, increased by various rating services, to keep 'overheads' low. Having been involved in a few non-profits, though, I know what those overheads go on and I think it's a worrying trend if those things get cut.
To give one example, I was for a while involved in an educational not-for-profit which made a decision to hire a bunch more administrative staff. These administrators started doing work that had previously been being done by the teachers, who really should have been spending their time on teaching, lesson planning, grading, etc., rather than all the admin that was taking up their time. Great investment by the nfp, but suddenly their overhead percentage jumped.
--------------------
Ave Crux, Spes Unica!
Preaching blog
Posts: 8164 | From: Notre Dame, IN | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Galloping Granny
Shipmate
# 13814
|
Posted
Like others above, we donate regularly to a handful of charities, and give a gold coin when we encounter street appeals. I explain courteously to callers from other charities that as pensioners, we have to limit ourselves in this way, and wish them well – I've never had a caller who persists.
As for disaster appeals, usually there are a number of organisations involved (Red Cross, Oxfam, Tear Fund, Caritas...) so we send off an extra donation to the one we always support, Christian World Service, whose overheads are low, who work with other local Christian partners in the field, and whose government support was reduced drastically by the political party currently in power here (but who have just sent quite a substantial sum to the Philippines).
Do others tend to donate to the medical charities according to what our families have suffered from? For example, we've been cancer-free for several generations but support the Arthritis Foundation and Diabetes NZ.
GG
--------------------
The Kingdom of Heaven is spread upon the earth, and men do not see it. Gospel of Thomas, 113
Posts: 2629 | From: Matarangi | Registered: Jun 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
cattyish
Wuss in Boots
# 7829
|
Posted
Do charity callers get offended if you hang up? Anyone done that job? I always feel it's worse to talk to them and waste their time if I'm not going to give.
Cattyish, committed to a reasonable amount of giving but not taking on too much.
--------------------
...to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived, this is to have succeeded.
Ralph Waldo Emerson
Posts: 1794 | From: Scotland | Registered: Jul 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
cliffdweller
Shipmate
# 13338
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by cattyish:
Do charity callers get offended if you hang up? Anyone done that job? I always feel it's worse to talk to them and waste their time if I'm not going to give.
Cattyish, committed to a reasonable amount of giving but not taking on too much.
I interrupt them as quickly as I can get a word in edgewise and tell them I have a strict policy to never give money over the phone, on the street, or thru door-to-door solicitations. I tell them if they would like to send me a brochure with an annual report showing where their funds are going, I will be happy to consider their request. I have found this practice has been highly effective. A shocking number of charities will never follow up with the mailing-- which suggests to me they may not be as well-run, or that the caller is some shill hired to go thru a script who isn't all that invested in the charity itself. The ones that do follow through with a mailing can then be considered in the "cold light of day"-- something our family can do together. It can actually be a fun and meaningful activity at the end of the year to look over a collection of these brochures and decide together where we would like to send our $$.
As it works out, we tend to split our regular giving between our churches (we have two) and some smaller mission organizations (some local, some global) that we have been personally involved with. But with emergency aid I like to give to larger organizations with a good track record, as they will have the boots-on-ground resources, local representatives, and experience to bring effective aid quickly. (We sent a check yesterday to World Vision.)
--------------------
"Here is the world. Beautiful and terrible things will happen. Don't be afraid." -Frederick Buechner
Posts: 11242 | From: a small canyon overlooking the city | Registered: Jan 2008
| IP: Logged
|
|
Olaf
Shipmate
# 11804
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by cliffdweller:
quote:
Originally posted by cattyish:
Do charity callers get offended if you hang up? Anyone done that job? I always feel it's worse to talk to them and waste their time if I'm not going to give.
Cattyish, committed to a reasonable amount of giving but not taking on too much.
I interrupt them as quickly as I can get a word in edgewise and tell them I have a strict policy to never give money over the phone, on the street, or thru door-to-door solicitations. I tell them if they would like to send me a brochure with an annual report showing where their funds are going, I will be happy to consider their request.
I agree. I make it a practice never to give money to random phone calls, who could be absolutely anybody.
As for choosing which receive money from me, I do prefer keeping it to a few of great concern to me. As Lutheranchik mentioned upthread, our own denom's charitable endeavors do very well with their financial management. Having met some of the leadership, and actually being well-acquainted with one of the head office bigwigs, I trust them to do what needs to be done with the money they receive, and I don't give any attention to overhead issues.
I do look forward to the day when more of my preferred recipients (my own church included) make automatic electronic contributions possible.
Posts: 8953 | From: Ad Midwestem | Registered: Sep 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
