What charities are meaningful to you?
 

There are so many out there, and a lot of folks I know are very generous in time and money to a great many of them (really covering a lot of bases.) I on the other hand only contribute to one (Disabled American Vets) as I'd rather focus on one than spreading myself thin.

Which charitable causes are near and dear to your heart?

I am the opposite. Every pay day I take money and put it in a speacial account that I use to give to charities from. This way anytime a charity seems interesting I try to help out.

How do you know your money goes to the right places?

Well, I give to United Way through a payroll deduction. I don't know that I could say it's particularly meaningful to me, but my company has an arrangement with them so it comes right out of your paycheck just like taxes or insurance, and I never miss the money.

I also give to a trust that my company set up for employees of the company who have had tragedies in their lives and need some financial help.

I'm not sure if this is considered a charity or not, but I believe strongly in giving blood and do so every time there's a blood drive at work. I think it's every six weeks.

I give a little to my Alma Mater's annual fund every year too. That's about it.

I volunteer annually for a picnic for pediatric oncology patients.

I think The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society does an amazing job. I know a large percentage of the money is going to research and patients.

i have to say the girl scouts of america have affected me most... each year they contribute to the phredgreen's expanding waistline effort... ;)

seriously though... i don't know of any charities that have really hit home for me in any special way, but i'm more of a person that will give of myself (volunteer my time to do work for them) than just dole out money. much more fulfilling as well. i try to do so as often as possible, but due to a lack of many connections within that range of activities, it's been a while. does anyone know where you can look for groups who need help?

All my money goes here:
<img src="http://www.interlog.com/~porteous/nhf.gif">

my mother survived breast cancer a few years ago.
therefore the most meaningful charities for me are the Breast Cancer Institute, the Cancer Council and the Garvan Research Foundation.

*edit - these are all Aussie charities, they're all concerned with Cancer and in particular, Breast Cancer.

The Salvation Army.

I've been partial to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. We've had some kids with terminal cancer in our local community that were able, because of the organization, to enjoy a few family trips and special visits before they died.

Some people have said that it's a pointless endeavour because money is just being tossed to someone that is going to die anyway, instead of giving to a research facility. But, I have always felt that a child/family that has to deal with such tragic circumstances should be able to see some dreams and wishes realized before the end.

National Teen Leadership Program

www.teenleader.org

I give to "Bon Dieu dans la rue" (Good Lord on the street), who helps street kids get back on their feet and to any homeless shelters in Montreal, the only growth industry that doesn't want to be one.

I believe that one should do what one can do to help other people. Anyone can run into a string of bad luck and need help. I do believe that this is something a person should be extremely careful about. To many things that claim to be charities are nothing but scams. Before you turn loose of your hard earned money do your homework. Look into the charity and make sure you get the name right - just because it contains the word cancer, etc. means absolutely nothing - make sure it is the right one. I also always look at their operating expenses - overhead etc. How much of your money goes to the cause and not to the CEO? Every organization has expense but it should be reasonable. Personally, because of experience with the Red Cross I will not donate to them or any other organization that gives them a share of the money - Community Chest - United Fund etc without specifying that the Red Cross is to be excluded. If you want reason for this look at their books or ask anyone that has ever been in the military. MADD is another organization I avoid - not because of their purpose - I applaud what they claim to stand for - but look at the organization itself - it is big business. The Salvation Army is the only charity I do not question - They are honest and do what they say they will do.

In giving - practice the caveat thingy - let the donor beware!

C.O.P.S. - Concerns of Police Survivors

They give money to surviving families of officers killed in the line of duty.

well, if nobody believed me about almost dying, the above kind of proves it. TMAWF bought my first computer in '93.


to anybody who thinks its a waste of money to help a kid who _will loose his life_ should be taken to the streets and flogged for waisting our precious oxygen supply.

I _rarely_ give to publicly known charities. they have a tendency to be V E R Y dirty. and i've been a tool for the MDA and will tell you now... they do help people.. and jerry lewis is a good guy.... but dudes these guys are dirty, dirty. anyhow,
when i have the dough to spare i normally give it o familys that lost their homes to a fire or adopt kids for christmas and animal help.

not PETA. PETA kind of creeps me out...

I give to "Redd Barna" and "Fremtiden i våre hender".

Oh, thats right. You've never heard about those two organizations. Silly Norwegian :D Well they do good things, for the homeless kids, starving kids in Africa, the environment.... And stuff.

I like Habitat for Humanity because they not only help people get into a home, but they help them get the skills they need to keep it. The recipients are screened and have to work hard to get the house. I also like the fact that they look for donations of time and materials as well as just cash. A business knows that when they give a bunch of lumber or vinyl flooring, that 100% of it goes for what they intended it.

About the only people I give money to are the eff, it's not really a charity, but it means alot to me

http://www.eff.org/images/special-report-patriot2.gif

I wanted to ask this same question after reading about the Wallace & Gromit Foundation for Children, but then I figured I may as well bring this 6 year old thread back to life, since someone would have done it for me (had I started a new thread).

;)

There isn't one yet that is meaningful to me, but perhaps the W&GFFC will be soon.

The Lance Armstrong Foundation is meaningful to me. My dad was diagnosed with colon cancer earlier this year. He is now cancer-free. Let's hope he stays that way. The Lance Armstrong Foundation goes so much good for survivors of cancer and for families that have dealt with cancer. I've donated before and I plan to keep donating, as my budget allows. Someday I would like to complete the Livestrong Challenge in honor of my dad.

Gulf4good this is the organisation here in the UAE that im affiliated with that do treks around the world raisingf money for the needy

i think highly of MSF

im against religious based charities for many reasons -

1) they have the ability to take advantage of the generosity of others because people give them money in trust

2) because they are helping for alterior motives and not because of the kindness of their heart, but rather to get you to align your beliefs with theirs.

I had a friend in highschool who's step-dad abused her (her real dad was on the other side of the continent) and she ended up staying at a home for girls. I donate to it often.

I don't know about in the US, but in the UK charities have to be completely transparent about where their funds go. So at least you can find out what percentage of your money actually goes to the cause you want to support.

I only support one... WSPA

I avoid United Way because of their blatant and unapologetic corruption. Red Cross is a nice global one that has no religious affiliation so my money goes to helping people rather than throwing bibles at them. ACLU is important to me because they embody the idea that constitutional rights are absolute and that even the most abhorrent people have the same right to express themselves as everyone else, and the NRA-ILA picks up the slack on the second amendment, which the ACLU can't touch because most of their supporters are whiny pricks who support them for the wrong reasons and would stop contributing if they picked up more than a few low-profile 2A cases.

i should donate more, i prefer charities for children, help those that can't help them selfs

I'm not currently a charitable person. I'm too indebted to be in a position to donate enough to make it matter. I know even a little is better than nothing, but one of my long-term goals is to set up a recurring donation plan. I'll donate up to 10% of my gross annual income when it makes sense to me financially.

Charities that matter most to me are those geared toward poverty, especially were children are involved. I'd like to support organizations that help children locally (in Toronto) as well as new immigrants in their transition to our society. These are pressing issues here, and I'd like to do my part to improve my city.

I'd also like to support a charity such as the Red Cross or Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders), which help out internationally, but this would be a second priority for me. I'm more about helping at home first, and then expanding to the rest of the world.

I'd also be willing to invest in projects listed on Kiva.org. It is more of a charity, as you don't actually earn any returns on your money.

i had a buzz cut going on when i read about "locks of love" somewhere on this forum.

my hair is about 6 or 7 inches long now.

its not going to cure anything. but at least some poor, balding cancer kid will get some hair. hope they like curls.

I donate to www.Campaignforliberty.com

I donated here before =)

I donate every chance I get to the Vets who stand on the corner and ask for money and salute me since they see my military sticker on my windshield.

I do a lot of work with unwed mothers.



Mainly just helping them get their start.

my cousin just chopped his hair off and donated it to them.


I usually donate to Love Doctors Charities a local charity started by a couple radio talk show hosts. I like it because its all local and they have no paid employees.

I like noble people!

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Life is Good!

The National Multiple Sclerosis Society is meaningful because my mother had MS and I have been recently diagnosed. This was my first year to raise money for the walk. The event is a great symbol as it represents the mobility that those inflicted fight to control, while others take it for granted.

I've seen the money go to work too. Yes it pays for a lot of administrative costs, but I have been able to participate in some great events. They have forums and informational sessions for people with MS and their families. It goes toward a camp for children living with a family member with MS. What is raised locally, tends to stay locally.

I like ONE FOUNDATION,it is very famous in our country,every time when I see so many people are ready to help persons for free whom they even don't konw.so it plays more important role in my life,i really understand what the words means help people are more happy than you accept other people's aid

If I am going to be giving money to something, I will generally support local animal charities, homeless shelters, food banks and stuff like that. Generally though, I prefer to give my time and have volunteered for local animal shelters, children's literacy tutoring, adult literacy tutoring, local winter homeless shelter and am now going through the hoops to volunteer at a local AIDS hospice.

Blessings!
Duskwynd