Charities-non-political and non-religious-
I am interested in ideas for charitable giving. I have been very blessed in business, so I look to find ways to give back. I have some of my own ideas but I am more interested in what other people are doing if you have any charities that you give to I would like to hear which ones they are and what you like about them.
I am interested in ideas for charitable giving. I have been very blessed in business, so I look to find ways to give back. I have some of my own ideas but I am more interested in what other people are doing if you have any charities that you give to I would like to hear which ones they are and what you like about them.
posted by Tom Bailey at 8:24 AM
48 Comments:
The Red Cross is the charity that I like the best.
D.T.
How about I send you my bank account number and take some of that awful cash off your hands? ;)
try the ECO. Or buy a tree in the rain forest.
How about I send you my bank account number and take some of that awful cash off your hands? ;)
try the ECO. Or buy a tree in the rain forest.
Not so much a charity, but I'm a member of public radio stations and TV stations.
I also contribute to local foodbanks when I can. It's pretty darn hard to ask people to better themselves on an empty stomach.
I generally go with small, underfunded projects in South America. My brother served in the Peace Corps in Guyana for a couple of years. He's got connections and I like knowing specifically where my money goes. (I'm weird like that.)
Heart- very funny....
123-"I also contribute to local foodbanks when I can. It's pretty darn hard to ask people to better themselves on an empty stomach."
SO very true.
Kristen:
"I generally go with small, underfunded projects in South America. My brother served in the Peace Corps in Guyana for a couple of years. He's got connections and I like knowing specifically where my money goes. (I'm weird like that."
I do not find anything weird in any kind of charity I just find it is very personal for most people. The peace corps are great experiences for people. I have a friend that did that and had great stories.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
i think it your local homeless shelter or foodbank is always a good idea. a lot of these are often overlooked.
if you're looking for something non-religious with work abroad, i would recommend the international justice mission (www.ijm.org). they do some really cool stuff.
Have you considered Mercy Ships? They travel the world performing medical operations in countries where medical technology and availability is not what it is in the U.S.
Aaand, . . . out of curiosity, how did you find my blog? :-)
Tom, you can check out http://www.firstgiving.com/. It's a great idea to donate funds yourself and encourage everyone else to donate to the same cause. Thanks for dropping by :)
So you actually have a business? Wow. What is it?
Charities? How about Doctors Without Borders? Or donating some money to an organization for starving children in Africa?
Personally, I think I'd give money to something related with blind people, orphans... or contribute to the development of scientific research (I don't know if you get what I mean). I mean... the cure for cancer doesn't appear from thin air. You need money, to pay researchers, to pay for the technology and the material. Billions actually.
I really like the information that you guys are posting, I always get a connection with people that have a connection with charity.
I am making a list of any and all charities that get listed (501) accredited to give actual personal donations to. I really like giving to causes even if they are not completely my own.
I thought this could be a unique thing to have happen. How often does someone post and list a charity and have a donation given to that charity with no strings attacted?
I have received so many kind compliments via email since I started this blog thanking me for posting motivational information.
Please keep posting more charities and discriptions like these what great ideas.
Hi Tom,
What an awesome blog conversation! Thanks!
I give of time and resources. Sometimes it's easier to write a check. But it does something to the heart when one actually shows up and serves another. You learn how really blessed you are!
I've been a volunteer since I was in my teens. I've been blessed to work with: American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Leukemia, MS, Red Cross, the blind, mental retardation, and more.
I like giving to my church, missions, and benevolence. I also give in secret when I see a need. For example, when I know someone at work is struggling, I leave an anonymous card with cashier's check or credit gift card for them to help and encourage them. One lady was struggling with cancer and a group of her friends/co-workers made a money tree for her. Locally, we have the Christian Community Action and Samaritan Inn; I like what their goals are and how they help people with housing, job training, as well as basic needs. I also like how they raise their money (resale store and chocolate company). I've also served food from a truck that makes the rounds here in Dallas serving the homeless; it was started by a guy who owns a few restaurants. I agree with 123Valerie, sometimes you have to meet people at their point of pain or need before they can make their way back up.
What an inspiring post...thanks again for what you shared! I think it's the best way we serve God when we give to others, in love, with no expectations in return!
I really admire charities.
Thanks for the stop. I posted that because right now the world is full of people who find other various people evil. They believe them to be truly evil. I don't think that a person can be completly evil or good. I think that the world exist in shades of grey. Also that we need to understand that it works both ways. If by your morals a man is evil, but by his morals you are evil. Then who is correct. An example is who we see as terrorist may very well be a freedom fighter to other people. It is a question that needs deep thought, and has no simple answer.
I give to Mencap... since I was 10 years old i've always had a soft spot for people with Learning Disabilities.
A very noble thought Tom.
I donate to Sydney Childrens' Hospital whenever I can. They have a website. Also to Breast Cancer Association in Aus.
Keshi.
WOW! Tom this is a wonderful idea and how generous you are. It says a lot about a persons character if they give back to society. I donate my time to a wonderful program in my community called "The Friendship Club". It is an after school program for at risk children. They have a free, safe place to go after school where they get snack, activities, and tutoring. I am not able to help this charity financially right now because I am helping put my son through seminary but when I am able I will definitely donate more than just time to this organization.
I can't help you there, Tom.
I give to a faith-based ministry. It's different in scope and mission. All the money that comes in each month goes out the following month to meet needs--whether it's an elderly woman who need help with groceries or a disabled person about to get thrown out in the street, etc.
Donna
http://www.heifer.org/ seems like a good place. We gave a heifer for my Boss's Christmas gift one year.
Where is your non-personal, business blog?
I have donated here and there in Children organisation. but if i am thinking of commiting to one it would be the organisation towards building the orphans in orphanage.
Yup
Thats a wonderful thought Tom..:)Giving something you've been blessed with. overwhelming..:)
Hace a good weekend..
Cheers!!
Thank you for the comments, I really do see the benefit of working directly with charities and not just writting a check, because I have done that in the past. What I found to be the case was that I am able to give more by doing what I am best at and then giving proceeds from what I do.
I admire greatly anyone that gives to charity in any form. I think it does tons of things for both the giver and the receiver in countless ways. I do not like to put my charities out there too strongly because it can make someone feel as if their charity is somehow less than mine, I never want that to be the case.
Charity draws me closer to people that are like me which is what has been great for me. I have emails from people that run charities and do great jobs in their respected charities. A vast majority of charities do a great job with what little they get but the biggest problem most of them have is getting funding. I can not support them all but there is something that is so rewarding about filling out an envelope to a charity and sending out a check to try and help do something good. No it is not as direct as collecting food baskets and bringing the food directly to someone (that always was embarassing for me anyways) but it does feel great.
I recall selling nuts door to door for charity and raising funds through phone donations for charity and I loved doing both but the donation sizes I can make now are larger because of the chosen endeavor I am in. I want to make very clear my deep admiration and respect for those that give to charity in any shape, form or fashion.
Please continue sharing any ideas that you guys have or details on the ideas already shared like web addresses or mailing addresses etc.
Support the arts! Museums, non-profit publications and groups, and sometimes area clubs are all great resources that often get overlooked.
Oh yeah, hi.
:)
Thanks for visiting my blog. In response to your question, I really encourage you to check out GiveMeaning.com. It allows you to fund specific charitable projects anywhere in the world, get a tax-receipt (in US and Canada), remits 100% of every donation (even the credit card cost) to the charity assigned to that project and best of all, ANYONE can start their own project, and then GiveMeaning does all the work to connect the best, qualified charity along with specific criteria you define such as "no faith based group" to your project.
There's no organization like it. Fair disclosure: I'm it's founder and CEO.
Tom, you have a name kind of like mine. I do not promote here given this is not a business blog. It does look like your company is dot.com and not a dot.org.
I thought your blog had some unique features but I was wondering what exact charities you liked rather than just promoting your own. Are their charities YOU like that you give to?
How about UNICEF?
Well fed and well educated children are the most positive resource our future can use...
How about UNICEF?
Well fed and well educated children are the most positive resource our future can use...
How about UNICEF?
Well fed and well educated children are the most positive resource our future can use...
Oh man, non-political and non-religious. Since I am involved with running I give sporadically to charities that come up through running like Team in Training, or local trail organizations like the WTA. I enjoy supporting fellow runners who are raising money for a good cause as well.
Hi Tom, happy new year chief!
all the best for you and love ones!
Carlos
Toronto, Canada
Enjoyed your positive blogspot. Regarding charities to share your blessings with, there are so many to choose from that one should give to the ones that we are moved to give too. There is another way to give that I find not only gratifying but interesting to say the least. You mentioned you have a business. Should you have employees you can give them a challenge. Give each an envelope this some money in it and instruct them that it is not for them to keep but they need to find someone to help and give the money to a total stranger or donate the money to their favorite charity. Give them a time limit to do this and have a report back to you in writing with in a specified amount of time. Also add that should they not complete the task within the time limit then the funds will need to be surrendered back to go to the Charity that you pick. You may be surprised at the outcome. One of my favorites would be an orphanage where the children are a bit older and the chance to be adopted is slim because of their age as most people want babies not tots or teens. Perhaps a college fund for those that would not otherwise get that opportunity. Thank you for the refreshing site to visit.
I have just embarked on a wonderful humanitarian project. Where I live there is a Children's Home that will be celebrating 100 year anniversary. In the beginning it was an old time orphanage...It is a non-profit organization that has been instrumental in saving the lives of many children over the past 100 years and now as time has passed, it has become a corner stone in our community that has supported thousands of people, both physically and emotionally.
The were looking for a historian to assist them in documenting and preserving their 100 year history. I will be donating my time and efforts to organize and preserve in a scrapbook all the early time orphan pictures, progression of changes and memorabilia for the anniversary. This will not be an easy task... it will take many hours of labor. When it is complete it will not only benefit the organization but will mark a time in history for all those they have served. Many of the people that were in some way served by this home will now have a heritage and a history.
Giving is what makes the soul sing. I have little money for this project... But what I lack in funds I will make up in heart.
I would love to send you a letter of authorization if you are interested in helping in this cause.
when I worked in manhattan for the Association in Mannhattan for Autistic Children
there were rats in the kitchen
the stoves did not work
the elevators were always breaking
one kid got his glasses broke by another kid and that was tough nuts for the blind kid
there was "no money"
because
the higher ups had
cell phones fax machines armani suits and sportscars...
this was in the early 90's before everyone and their cousin had a cell phone.
my point is, that charities are usually corrupt unless you PERSONALLY know the person you hand the check to.
I worked as a tutor in a classroom last year, for Operation Fresh Start, a place that teaches Juvenile delinquents to build houses (and to get their GED HSED). They get their funding through Americorps (United Way). I tried to give $1,000 to buy Xmas gifts for the crews but it was not allowed. That particular organization has not a shred of corruption anywhere. Everyone there has a true desire to help the kids straighten up. And what I loved was that the kids had to make 4 phone calls begging to be let in before they even got an interview, to prove that they wanted it.
A house burned down in my neighborhood last year, and this year, the crew is there, rebuilding it. the family is low income, so they get a new house, and the kids get on the job training. When they are done with the program, they get a college voucher for a few thousand dollars (they also earn a paycheck and 2 hot meals a day while they are in the program as well)
So, I would say off the top of my head, to donate to United Way, or Americorps. I am all about helping the kids.
BTW
I just sent you out a pithy little email
OH!!
I need to find it for you...
there is a website founded by kids where the kis in need of legal help or who are in torture sweat shops etc... solicit funding.
the way i put it it sounds all fakey, but I checked it out, it is one where kids have been so let down by adults that they only trust other kids. Some amazing 13 year old started it about 5 years ago... i have it bookmarke, if i had money, i would send it there.
I will come back with more info, or do a post myself for you.
I know this does not do it justice, but it is a pretty good idea, and it should be funded, the kids fund it themselves, which is amazing in it's own right.
sorry, the D key sticks on my keyboard, and i have a bit of a headache right now....
Im with Heart of Darkness! How about a donation for the blind,deaf, disabled etc. in western society?
My favorite charities:
Humane Society of the US
or my local Humane Society
World Wildlife Federation
National Wildlife Federation
Habitat for Humanity
Make a Wish Foundation
These just struck a cord in me.
I like public TV stations too for a good charity. They have a lot of good, free programs on. The heifer orginization is a good one as well. Also, Oprah does a LOT of good works through her angel network, check that out.
thanks for visiting my blog! :)
Hi!
I invite you to visite my blog...
i make 2 pictures a day and if you want to leave a funny comment or a small poem i will edit it in the front page next to the pictures...
Read you...
We tithe at our church and support Blood:Water Mission.
We're also trying to help our close friends raise money for an international adoption.
I also like to donate to our local Christian radio stations, Air 1 and 89.7 KSGN.
wednesday patrol is the charity i like.
they are taking care of homeless ppl at night :)
The Terry Fox Foundation for cancer research. Always a great cause when it has to do with cancer.
The Ste.Justine's Hospital for sick children. They saved my life so I'm grateful to them.
The Kidney Foundation. Thankx to the research, I was lucky enough to have 3 kidney transplants and thankfully the 3rd one worked!!! Never give up is my motto!
MS Society.. my cousin was strickened by this horrible disease.
This is a wonderful idea!!!
For fun I am having my secretary put together envelopes for donations to all of the listed charities in this responce so far so I can write checks to each of them.
I am going to pick one per day to work for as motivation. What great ideas people here came up with. This is not really for business it is just for my personal use and for my personal funds. I feel so fortunate to be in the position that I am in and everyday I am thankful.
Thank you all for your sharing.
WOW! How generous of you!!!
We can't thank you enough... ;-)
What a wonderful person you are!
Not every day we meet people who are so generous. I'm not talking about money here.... yes, the charities need it.. but it's not only about the money..
Thank you from the bottom of our hearts Tom!!!
These are all good charities!!!
This is like a fun game for me. I really do like helping people for the way that it makes me feel. It makes me feel great to help people and their causes, I have been guilty of being selfish and only caring about MY charity I now want to care about OTHER people's charities for myself.
I can not save the world but I am given more positive feedback here than I expected. Why should I not give back to those that inspire me?
I am going to set a daily business target to hit and will donate accordingly for that day. Now I do have a nice list to work with here.
I am going to turn it into even more motivation for myself. Funny thing is that I will probably generate even more for myself in the process.. and then I will have to do something again.
I did not see one charity here that I do not like. There are a few that I would have an issue with but not one of them came up here.
Tom, please be careful to who or what you give. You may feel good after offering money to a homeless but, by taking away it's challenges, you are deepening his dependence.
I recommend an educational charity, like the Wikimedia Foundation. As James Madison said,
Knowledge will forever govern ignorance; and a people who mean to be their own governors must arm themselves with the power which knowledge gives.
mr - wiki is an interesting donation the funny thing about that one is that the founder was a former stockbroker. Great idea and great concept.
I have heard endless debate about the poor. I have heard them referred to as being like pigeons... you feed them once and they will return to be fed again.
It is a very chicken versus the egg debate and I really choose not to worry about it too much. If a few people get a free meal or two that they shouldnt have that does not seem like a big deal. They need it more than me. Does it inhibit motivation to get a free food and meals? Most people in life that have done well did not start out homeless and worrying about where their next meal would come from. Sure there are some rags to riches stories but compare that to wealthy that grew up in far less desperate situations.
Donations made to enough different places should diversify my poor choice risks in the charitable giving area.
I'm not rich, so I don't donate money that often, but these are the organizations I've donated to recently:
- My local public radio station
- The Ocean Conservancy
- The Salvation Army
There is another organization that I'd like to donate to, but haven't yet. It's local, and I can "adopt" a wild bird, like a screech owl, for instance. It is the Raptor Rehabilitation of Kentucky, Inc.
When I was in junior high school, I "adopted" a whale from Greenpeace. That was a very beautiful experience for me. Her name was "Salt", and she had a calf during the time I was "watching" her.
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