What Charity is your favorite?

[Landon Caeli]

Well, I just watched an infomercial about clef lip / Palette repair in 3rd world countries. I actually shed a few tears about how sad mothers are when doctors tell them there aren't enough funds available to perform their child's surgery.

So my vote for top charity is:

Donate now to support Operation Smile

...For $240. I can change a child's entire life.

 

[Silverback]

Well, I just watched an infomercial about clef lip / Palette repair in 3rd world countries. I actually shed a few tears about how sad mothers are when doctors tell them there aren't enough funds available to perform their child's surgery.

So my vote for top charity is:

Donate now to support Operation Smile

...For $240. I can change a child's entire life.

I give mostly to charities associated with my denomination, or, other charities they endorse.

I also hold the Salvation Army in high regard, and give to them during the advent season.

 

[OldWiseGuy]

Operation Smile is always on my donor list. Doctors Without Borders as well. No real favorites.

 

[public hermit]

My favorite "charity" is GiveDirectly. My money goes straight to the person in need. In an age of technology, I see no better way. No paternal middle man.

GiveDirectly: Now responding to Covid-19

That being said, my favorite charitable acts are those that just happen. Someone is in need, e.g. house burns down, and folks dig deep to help. Usually, it's local and the person(s) is known. So, the sense of community and care comes through and really makes a difference. I love that.

 

[Rene Loup]

Click-to-Donate websites are excellent if you have more time and patience than money:

Click to Donate FREE! Make free donations to 70 Charities. Nonprofit & volunteer links!

 

[Occams Barber]

This Forbes article suggests a number of websites which assess US charities on a variety of criteria including things like costs of fundraising and proportions of funds spent on admin.
3 Websites To Check To Be Informed Before Giving To Charity (forbes.com)

The listed websites (plus the IRS charity listing) are:

• Tax Exempt Organization Search | Internal Revenue Service (irs.gov) (is it a legit charity?)
• Charity Navigator - Your Guide To Intelligent Giving | Home
• GuideStar nonprofit reports and Forms 990 for donors, grantmakers, and businesses
• Find Best Charities To Donate | Charity Ratings, Reviews (give.org)

I also found this list interesting.
The 50 Worst Charities in America- How to Keep from Being Scammed | SmartAsset

Its based on a detailed investigation conducted by the Tampa Bay Times and the Centre For Investigative Reporting in 2013.
America's 50 worst charities rake in nearly $1 billion for corporate fundraisers (tampabay.com)

OB

 

[jacks]

I like Matthew 25 Ministries. They get a 100% rating at Charity Navigator. Also 99.4 percent of their money goes directly to their charity work.

 

[Occams Barber]

I like Matthew 25 Ministries. They get a 100% rating at Charity Navigator. Also 99.4 percent of their money goes directly to their charity work.

It also ticks all 20 boxes on the Charity Report - Matthew 25: Ministries, Inc. (bbb.org)

OB

 

[jayem]

My wife and I vary our contributions each year. We give to some causes one year, and to others the next. These have all been beneficiaries of our donations. My wife is an animal lover, so those charities are high on the list. But we also donate to medical education and artistic endeavors:

The Nature Conservancy (both the national and state)
The ASPCA
Our local Humane Society (including the farm animal rescue ranch)
Defenders of Wildlife
International Fund for Animal Welfare
Our local zoo
The National Aviary
My university's medical school and our local medical school
Our local art museum
Our local live theater and opera companies
Our local symphony orchestra

 

[Bobber]

I like giving to our churches' soup kitchen lunch program we have in our down town core. Actually I work there are a volunteer once or twice a week. You might find giving to a similar thing in your town or city a very rewarding thing. Here's the thing I found with many....they'd love to be a giver to charities but nothing makes them feel better to know the people in their town are being helped by what they give.

They can see where the money and not just money but resources is going and they like that. Even our municipal government has got involved to help in upgrading our kitchen as even they like to have a part in supporting the needy in the community. You might find especially if you're retired seeking out a similar type of work and volunteering will bring you great joy.

 

[Sparagmos]

My favorite "charity" is GiveDirectly. My money goes straight to the person in need. In an age of technology, I see no better way. No paternal middle man.

GiveDirectly: Now responding to Covid-19

That being said, my favorite charitable acts are those that just happen. Someone is in need, e.g. house burns down, and folks dig deep to help. Usually, it's local and the person(s) is known. So, the sense of community and care comes through and really makes a difference. I love that.

Thx for the link!