I’ve been spending a lot of time the past few days doing research on charities that support some of my favorite causes. In the past the charities would send me reminders each year and I would send them checks. This past year I’ve been putting them off because of the mess recovering from the fire up on the land and the two months I was laid low by that virus. I decided it was time to take action and that it would be easiest to do them all at once online.
In the process I started thinking about one of the groups. They talk a good talk, but they send me a lot of junk with more appeals for money throughout the year. So I looked them up on Charity Navigator which gave it their top rating of four stars, and it was also a Better Business Bureau accredited charity. That reaffirmed my belief the organization wasn’t a scam, but was it the best use of my money? So I looked at the details on Charity Navigator.
This is how the group uses the money:
Charity Navigator told me about other groups doing similar work, and I ended up switching to a smaller group that spends the money this way:
I think my money will do more good now. Bless Charity Navigator!
Do you have favorite causes you support? If so how do you decide?
I’m not terribly systematic. It depends a bit on the cause – I like more long-term than direct relief.
Evan,
I heartily agree about long-term solutions rather than the crisis of the moment.
Wow, donating money for a good cause! I admire your passion to help others. May you inspire your readers to do the same thing as well. Cheers!
Yes, one run by fellow alumni focused on educating rural girls, and another that is focused on spiritual education through spreading literature to libraries. These two form the major chunk and there are a number of them that I contribute to during their fund raising efforts like the MS society, The Lions club, and our neighbourhood sports club for our youngsters.
Amy,
Thank you!
Rummuser,
Education is definitely a cause I could support. And there are always the local appeals. Good for you!
Don’t say Donate to me. I hate the word. My husband is Mr. Donate. He got scholarships to Andover, Wooster & Yale. He’s paid them back many times in the 65 yrs. since. He even gives to the Salvation Army who support homeless people on drugs & alcohol. I’m going to Offer him on Freecycle. It will read: Absolutely PERFECT husband, father, breadwinner, fix anything… But he Donates!
I have a big house stuffed full of treasures (clothes included) which I’m forced to Donate. Otherwise it will be called Clutter. 🙁
I do a variety of things…depending on the circumstances.
Whilst connected to Freecycle (Auck, NZ) I met a young woman with children with disabilities who fundraises for the organisation that helps her out…so now every so often I email her to collect a box of things! Last time she came, I had some small pieces of specially cut wood which I said “do you have any use for these” apparently her son who has violent tendencies had broken the end of her bookcase…and this would do the job!
I give a significant portion of my time to an organisation I belong to so that the subscriptions can stay at a lower level, through the fund raising [ad]venture I run for them…I happen to enjoy the more hands on feeling that giving money that could never reach the intended object/arena….
bikehikebabe,
😀 If I didn’t have Andy I would take him!
Your comment reminded me of a humorous article I read years ago. The gal was writing about marriage compatibility quizzes. She used the example, “Do you and your spouse agree on financial matters?” Answer: “Yes. We both deplore extravagance. I deplore his and he deplores mine.”
Cathy,
Yes, it’s soul satisfying to find a way to do something you love for a cause you support. One of the great joys in life. Well worth searching for.
That’s great you can help the young mother with disabilities.