Help in Finding a Good Charity
Posted by Frugal on October 29th, 2007
This year I still have about $2000 left for my charity giving budget. But I haven’t found a good charity to donate to. I only have about one month left to do it, because I will be traveling internationally to visit my parents at the end of the year.
The biggest problem that I have with charities is that their CEO is paid way too much. Many are paid north of $150K up to $200K. Some are even paid more than $300K to $500K. Charity Navigator did a study on 2007 CEO compensation study for charities. The average salary is $145,270. The charity may say whatever they want, but the fact is non-profit also means no-profit. A CEO (or superintendent for a school district) for non-profit organizations is after all very different from a for-profit organization. There is no gross margin or pricing issues for products. The only effect from a better paid CEO and/or less efficiently organization is that the target that they serve ends up with less money. Taking money out of what poor people would receive is much easier than taking money out from a competitive and capitalistic marketplace of products.
I’m sure the salary is justified for some of the CEO, but I don’t have time to sift through all the details. Furthermore, when I need to justify for why I’m not spending my $2000 on my wife for jewelries or on my kids for more fancy toys, I must really spend my charity money for a VERY GOOD purpose. Every year, I easily donate more cash to charity than my total spending on jewelries for my wife and toys for my kids. But my wife understands that charity donation is spent for good purposes. Departing from your own cash is difficult certainly, but it is just part of the process needed to learn the truth about how every human being is part of the God’s family.
If you can know a charity that is involved with children and/or hunger (the causes that my wife and I are most interested in), and that 95% of the money goes to non-admin and non-advertisement activities, and the CEO’s salary is about $100K or less, please let me know. I would really appreciate it. Many thanks.
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October 29th, 2007 at 8:47 am
i feel that the bill and melinda gates foundation is the only charity that i would trust. if warren buffett spent his entire career looking for the right charity to leave his legacy to, in it’s entirety, that why try to second guess him.
October 29th, 2007 at 10:13 am
I gave $4K to my local library this year. In a small town, they’re a bright light of technology (possibly even culture?), plus they’re used to operating on a shoestring, so the money definitely did not go toward any fat cats. 4K made a noticeable difference which they were able to invest in capital (computers).
October 29th, 2007 at 8:14 pm
How about the Clinton foundation - partners in health. I spent all of last year in Southern Africa, in VERY poor countries with widespread health issues. The Clinton foundation and the Partners in Health both supplied rural clinics with very educated and qualified staff and very needed supplies. In other ideas, many small non-profit organizations exist, run by students or young social entrepreneurs. These organizations pay themselves almost nothing and work themselves to the bone. One is BlueEnergy, a group building manufacturing capacity in Nicaragua to manufacture wind turbines for local communities. Another is Operation Alma Ata, a health organization. another is MIT’s D-Lab group - a virtual lab that encourages “design for the other 90 percent”. google any of these organizations for more info… another good way to find out about small, budding social projects and organizations is to tap into social entrepreneurship competitions.
October 29th, 2007 at 11:55 pm
I give to my local Ronald McDonald House - the funds stay local and help families in crisis at a time when they need it most. You can check them out at www.rmhc.org. From the national website you can identify your local chapter.
In addition to RMH I give to Heifer International - it is an awesome organization.
Good luck.
October 30th, 2007 at 8:45 am
Give locally. I’m on the board of trustees of a local charity that funds grants for teachers in our community. All of us are volunteers, and 99% of our money goes to funding grants. After seeing how effective a local charity can be at raising and distributing money, and getting to see first hand the fruits of our efforts, I will never give to large charities again.
October 30th, 2007 at 12:09 pm
You could use that $2000 (or part of it) to actually purchase food, clothing, and reasonable gifts for families and children in need in your city. Many churches and charities have lists of such people around this time of year. It can be a great experience for your family to do together.
Also, you can identify a charity you respect and give specifically for something they need–a used van, a new water heater, whatever. Many times such items are difficult to raise money for because it doesn’t make people feel good to donate money for that. That way you can be confident that your money is not going into anyone’s pocket.
October 30th, 2007 at 2:45 pm
You could consider donating to . All the donated money goes directly to the needy. None of the donated money goes to a CEO.
October 30th, 2007 at 11:47 pm
I see what you’re saying with high salaries of the CEOs. Don’t forget that many of these people could leave for other jobs and probably get paid much, much more. I know if should be a labor of love for many, but attracting talent is important for an organization as well.
October 31st, 2007 at 10:48 am
frugal:
try ekal vidyalaya. it is my charity of choice.
- s.b.
October 31st, 2007 at 9:30 pm
Here are the charities we donated to over the past few years.
Amit
November 5th, 2007 at 2:12 am
Amit,
I checked out Give World. I need to research it further. Looks like it may be a fit. Thanks.
Ampie,
rmhfc.org seems to be good. I will probably put some dollars there.
Joey & Meg,
I wish I know how to give locally. Any more tips? Last time I tried hard to google some local volunteer centers for children or elders. I only found 1 near my home. I volunteered for a couple of hours, helping an elder to do grocery shopping, but that particular volunteer center has shut down.
The Property Pundit,
What you said about CEO’s salary is correct. But if the salary is too high, it is counter-productive for the particular charity in raising money.
Ryan/Blake/Elizabeth,
I will be donating my money to children/hunger as my first priority. I feel compelled to help the most needy people first.
Thanks to everyone for your input. I think I’ve got choices to put some of my money. I will be researching further when I get more time. Only some 4 weeks left to take care of this matter.
November 6th, 2007 at 8:23 am
I would give to wikipedia
http://philip.greenspun.com/non-profit/
November 6th, 2007 at 8:25 am
I would give to wikipedia. Or some medical charity such as doctors without borders. Honestly having travelled quite a bit (africa/asia) - most hunger issues are due to bad government - donations just go to a viscious cycle of poverty.
http://philip.greenspun.com/non-profit/
November 8th, 2007 at 10:41 am
You can find this data at
http://www.charitynavigator.org
You can search by city, by kind of charity, or by any keyword. This site ranks charities by how efficient they are with their money.
Unless you find a “$0″ CEO, which can mean a lot of things, you’ll find very few with CEOs making under 100K.
November 11th, 2007 at 8:04 pm
Dear Frugal,
As far as CEO pay goes, the best one with the most affect in the USA is the Salvation Army. CEO gets $13K/yr in 2003.
To feed the children in 3rd world countries, best one is World vision, we sponsor a couple of kids, have for many years. At least you know who it’s going to and you can converse with them and send them extra gifts. Good training for your kids to get involved, writing letters, picking out clothes for someone else.
Only less expensive CEO’s are the Catholic charities, where the members are completely unpaid Sisters and Priests.
Best Regards,
Steve
November 19th, 2007 at 8:06 am
PHP is a statewide non profit in Massachusetts. There goal is to help provent child abuse. They are a very worth while cause and as with all non profits are always looking for doners.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:06 am
PHP is a statewide non profit in Massachusetts. There goal is to help provent child abuse. They are a very worth while cause and as with all non profits are always looking for doners.
November 19th, 2007 at 8:07 am
PHP is a statewide non profit in Massachusetts. There goal is to help provent child abuse. They are a very worth while cause and as with all non profits are always looking for doners.
December 4th, 2007 at 2:11 am
I’m having fun with this:
You create a portfolio that is given out as a micro loan, to whatever business entrepreneur in the third world you choose. They pay it back, and it is re-invested with interest as another loan.
February 3rd, 2008 at 8:32 am
Why ” CHARITY ” You don”t know were it goes,who doing what with it, or if it’s helping any one,You can’t even feel good about giving after you have given. Why not call it a (Act of kindnes) and do something that you can feel good about, and know you realy helped some one. Your neighbor that was always there when your car broke down,The one that watch your house when you were gone that gave a bikecycle to the kid that had none. He or she that worked hard all their lives and now can’t make what it takes to pay for there home or car, who are to proud to ask for charity.and gets turn down for a loan becouse of income or bad credit,or high interest rates.Or just bad luck. Go to your bank or your fincial intuition ask who they have turned down. Offer them a ( Act of kindness). know that you did some good and I promies you. You will never feel better
June 20th, 2008 at 1:32 am
I am about to lose my home and my child!
Charitable people are hard to find and even harder is asking for help.
I am a single mother caring for a child with behavioural difficulties. I have been let down by the system here in the UK to the extent where the only recourse I could succumb to in order to alert the proper agencies for emotional support towards my sons developement, was by attending a child conference and conceeding to allow a child protection order to take place! This outlines a care plan to which is not as forthcoming as it purports.
As a family unit we are suffocated by the degrees of criteria in order to give help to our children as and when needed. Many parents are unlike myself and are unable to voice eloquently their distress. I am fortunate enough to be able to research and virtually ‘beg’as it seems for help.
I own my own home however am unable to meet the costs of a mortgage that far outweighs the value of the property.
This is my only security that I have for my child.I am already so far in debt, that in order to crawl out from under it to relieve my stresses and concentrate on my child would be a miracle in itself.
I am unable to work due to the behavioural problems and my own depression which is a stone around my neck to say the least.
I am not sure who this will reach or if it will have any impact on any person wishing to help us but there is always hope.
If in this instance you are able or indeed willing to donate to a most charitable cause. ladychanie@gmail.com
Thank you for reading.
July 14th, 2008 at 8:21 am
We wants food nothing more( poor people can say only) pl help them.
July 20th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I ‘am the Founder of Bay Area Christian Charities, founded in 1996. No one with our charity receives a salary. To get recored information about us phone (510) 595-4617, YOU MAY LEAVE A MESSAGE THERE ALSO . We need storage space to store donated items,(warehouse,store, or just storeage space, even an office). If someone can help us out, please. At the moment we don’t have a place to conduct our business. THANK YOU !!
July 20th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
I ‘am the Founder of Bay Area Christian Charities, founded in 1996. No one with our charity receives a salary. To get recored information about us phone (510) 595-4617, YOU MAY LEAVE A MESSAGE THERE ALSO . We need storage space to store donated items,(warehouse,store, or just storeage space, even an office). If someone can help us out, please. At the moment we don’t have a place to conduct our business. THANK YOU !!
July 25th, 2008 at 1:52 pm
Hello
My name is Dr.Ammaar, and i decided to approach you for some support. I am a british citizen based in romania for 4 years.
As you must have heard of romanian orphans and poor kids in this country. What i saw here in the past 4 years is very heartbreaking and sad. young kids till babies homeless and without food. Unfortunately to say that the government dont do much for this problem, so i decided to approach people from outside of the country.
i want to start to build a small house/shelter/foundation for these kids, and in time to grow into many of the cities of romania, but unfortunately i cannot do this alone, and i need your help.
any donation will help…will be of great benfit
i will keep you up to date with what im doing with pictures of what i have started to make, and faces of happy children.
take a look at this link http://www.abandonedtkids.com/ http://children.foreignpolicyblogs.com/files/2007/05/187-02-street-children-philippines-from-hobo-traveler.jpg
http://www.travelblogs.com/dougdo/costa_rica_homeless_boys.JPG
Account details: Name: Arif Ammaar Ziad
Cod Iban: RO66RNCB0114031563840004
Cod Swift: RNCBROBU
if needed nr account: 3156384