The Money Mustache Community
Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: iris lily on December 30, 2016, 11:54:39 AM
-
I didnt want to take over the other thread about charitable giving, so here is a new one.
I've been around many decades and have changed my giving habits, some for specific reasons. I stopped giving to many organizations I see mentioned in that other thread.
Planned Parenthood-- for many years I gave because I liked their work of the Guttmacher Institute. Then they started to call me with stupd pitches, always tied to the evils of George Bush. I became tired of that, told them them that they needed to stop that pitch when they called me. They did not. I stopped giving. Being a one trick pony, they called again last month soon after the election of Trump and used that scaremongering tactic. Nope, didn't convince me. To this day I cannot understand why the ask pitch cant be targeted to me, personally, since I told they why I donated. Surely their technology would support that customization.
Humane Society-i havent given to the Humane Society of Missouri for decades because they have an obscenely large endowment, one of the largest in the biz. And they are a kill shelter that does not release their kill numbers. I understand the need to have a kill shelter, but I wont support lack of transparency. Some of this lack of transparency gave rise to the creation of smaller rescue organizations decades ago. Now everyone and his brother has a rescue org, and that is good and bad because anyone can set up a 501c3, pay themselves a nce little salary, and sell dogs as "rescues."
Stray Rescue of St. Louis started in my neighborhood as a small org in Randy's basement, and now they are a major player and well, I give to smaller rescue orgs, they too have become too big and I hear too much about where the money may be going.
I personally know all of the principles of the rescue organizations Ive given to in recent years, and none of them make any money on the deal, and the dogs are truly in need.
Food Bank-while I never donated real money to one of these but I would give food to the Boy Scouts when they make their drive. Not a big supporter, but I did a small bit. But I no longer donate to food banks at all because I found a dumpster fill of food from the food bank behind a house we own. A resident on the street had dump d it, more than 100 cans and packages. Includ Ng Organic orange joice. Yeah, I cant afford that. I am a regular dumpster diver and find all sorts of interesting thngs.
-
Food Bank-while I never donated real money to one of these but I would give food to the Boy Scouts when they make their drive. Not a big supporter, but I did a small bit. But I no longer donate to food banks at all because I found a dumpster fill of food from the food bank behind a house we own. A resident on the street had dump d it, more than 100 cans and packages. Includ Ng Organic orange joice. Yeah, I cant afford that. I am a regular dumpster diver and find all sorts of interesting thngs.
I wouldn't blame the food bank based on the actions of a recipient of their aid. I also wouldn't judge the food bank based on the food products the offered. Often most of the food at a food bank is donated in kind and the food bank does their best to use that resource to help the hungry. I remember carefully avoiding broken glass while washing jars of V8 Splash that were donated because one jar in a case had broken when volunteering at a food bank several years ago. It was easier for the business to write off the case than to clean up and sell the remainder.
-
I don't support any charities that use "professional" canvassers. Their pitches are annoying as hell and manipulative, and they are not upfront about the economics or "cost" of getting you as a donor.
The one I am most familiar with are a "Help sponsor a child for 30.00 a month" The latest to show up at our door tried to use the tactic of "you have this one opportunity to help this one child and if you don't help rescue them today it is their last chance." I asked her to explain to me how she is paid. She couldn't answer me. I interviewed for a management position at one of the professional fundraising companies. Turns out you have to donate for a full year to pay off the acquisition cost of the fundraising company signing you. So $0.00 of the first year goes to helping said child, and if you quite sponsoring before year 2, you are actually costing the charity money.
-
I've tried to contribute strategically over the years, with a focus on international development and medical aid and local organizations addressing poverty. The organizations are not the same ones they always were, in part as my interests have changed and in part because of my preferences for how they are managed.
However, I am not sure that it is useful to dump on those I moved on from.
Your example of never donating to a food bank, because one person dumped the food they got? I am not sure how the people who need the food and eat what they get go about finding a meal, then.
-
PETA is pretty gross. The Westboro Baptist Church of animal-lovers.
Susan G Komen is just a waste of everyone's time.
Anything heavily advertised. Fuck that.
-
I try to give to charities that keep the donations in the community. Many charities send their donations to developing countries, putting local merchants out of business in those countries. People in Africa apparently prefer an American T-shirt over a locally produced one. It puts the local textile shops in Africa out of business. Many donations end up harming people far away. I just saw an article about used vehicles ending up on lots in Somalia or Ethiopia, and helping to fund terrorism. Do those donated vehicles to NPR end up funding Hezbollah? I don't know.
I also look for charities that have relatively little overhead, to avoid my donations ending up in the pockets of the CEO or Board of Directors of a charitable organization. Definitely avoid donating to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. These donations do not benefit cancer patients or research in any significant degree.
I used to give to the Rotary Foundation's efforts to eradicate polio. But they ran into the problem of resistance to immunization in war zones like the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and pockets in Africa. I don't think donating for that cause is useful as long as the wars in those areas continue.
I do not give to organizations that promote violence, such as PETA. I also do not give to overtly political groups, such as the Boy Scouts with their stance against gays.
My goal is to donate my time to Habitat for Humanity in my area. That way you know for sure that you are helping your community and learn new skills in the process.
-
I have never given to my alma matter. Like many universities, their endowment is enough to support far more in financial aid than they currently give. I personally feel my donations are better spent in local scholarship funds.
-
Iris: always give lots of money to Stray Rescue, and I was involved with several of the rescue groups when I lived in STL. :)
-
Interesting thread.
We used to give and give and give, either money or time, but have really pulled back. Quite frankly, there are just too many organizations and causes out there. Some group is always looking for money. Other than church, Goodwill, kids collecting food for our local food bank, and the occasional donation/purchase of food items for local school fundraisers, we just don't donate much anymore.
-
I've tried to contribute strategically over the years, with a focus on international development and medical aid and local organizations addressing poverty. The organizations are not the same ones they always were, in part as my interests have changed and in part because of my preferences for how they are managed.
However, I am not sure that it is useful to dump on those I moved on from.
Your example of never donating to a food bank, because one person dumped the food they got? I am not sure how the people who need the food and eat what they get go about finding a meal, then.
Did I say that no one should donate to food efforts?
-
Iris: always give lots of money to Stray Rescue, and I was involved with several of the rescue groups when I lived in STL. :)
well, Stray Rescue is better than Humane Society of MO. Randy was our friend long before he started up Stray Rescue, back in the day when he was a dog groomer. Several of my friends were on his original board. Watching that organization start up and grow has been interesting.
Other than my own St, Louis Bulldog Rescue, where
I am on the Board, i will occasionally give to Gateway Guardians which was started up by another neighbor of mine who became disenchanted with Stray Rescue. That org is small, but has a building and a board, and they pull dogs in from the street as does Stray Rescue. Every day I see Stray Rescue dogs being walked because Randy's original building is at the end of my block.
-
As a rule of thumb: Never to any Florida based charity. There hasn't been any ethics oversight in that state in forever.
Seriously though, I use Charity Navigator to vet them all:
http://www.charitynavigator.org
Check what donation percentage goes into actually helping people/animals/causes. Anything where more than 10% of donations go into administrative/fundraising costs doesn't even rate my second look. Chances are there's a charity that does the same thing more efficiently. If possible, I go for charities with 2-5% costs. There are quite a few that do their good work on 1%.
Also, make sure any charity that approaches you isn't a "lookalike" made to look like a more reputable one. I.e "Salvationer's Army" for "Salvation Army" or "High Sierra Club" for "Sierra Club" complete with close-if-you're-not-observant logo. Veterans charities seem particularly prone to this.
-
My big "don't" is the United Way. Dear god, what terrible high pressure tactics I've seen. I've been in organizations where they pressured management to give themselves bonuses if everyone signed up to have their wages garnished towards their charity. I've had managers try to make me sign up for the minimum and promise they'd pay it for me. I've had the UW folks say dumb things like "what charity do you give to? Oh, blahblah Humane Society? Yeah, we support them. Give to us instead and we'll support them."
As mentioned up thread: Anyone high pressure. Want money? Don't beg for it. I know that's not fair. I'll kindly throw away the mailers. I'll decide who I give to when the wife and I sit down and sort out our donations. If I think some political environment is threatening something I believe in or see that something in particular needs help, I'll send them a check. And dear lord, don't call me. Ever.
None of those stupid "local policeman's fund" people. I am sure there are some that aren't scams. But geez, so many of them are.
---
FWIW as an aside: (Not directed at Iris Lily but at the thread in general) Make sure you don't judge every organization with "Humane Society" in it as a single organization. There are thousands of them, all different. Some are complete and utter freaks. Some of them are pretty awesome.
-
such as the Boy Scouts with their stance against gays.
Boy Scouts of America changed their stance on gay leaders in July of 2015. BSA no longer prohibits chartering organizations from selecting gay leaders. Chartering organizations may now select leaders without regard to sexual orientation. Of course many BSA units (but not all) are chartered by conservative churches or other organizations that will not select gay leaders. You can donate to BSA without donating to an anti-gay organization, but check on the chartering organization before donating to a scouting unit if you want to avoid contributing to anti-gay groups.
-
I don't donate to any charity that buys or donates bibles or has a religious spin at all.
-
such as the Boy Scouts with their stance against gays.
Boy Scouts of America changed their stance on gay leaders in July of 2015. BSA no longer prohibits chartering organizations from selecting gay leaders. Chartering organizations may now select leaders without regard to sexual orientation. Of course many BSA units (but not all) are chartered by conservative churches or other organizations that will not select gay leaders. You can donate to BSA without donating to an anti-gay organization, but check on the chartering organization before donating to a scouting unit if you want to avoid contributing to anti-gay groups.
Atheists: still excluded. They're worse than them gay folk! ;)
-
I've pretty much decided to stop donating to charities that exist to help people. I'll donate to USO every now and then to show my appreciation for our servicemen and servicewomen, but for people-related charities, that's pretty much it.
I will never, ever donate to ANYTHING breast cancer-related. Of course I want researchers to find a cure for breast cancer, but damn, there are sooooooo many breast cancer charities out there and most of them are bullshit. I refuse to buy anything that's breast cancer pink or has that effing pink ribbon. I hate it that breast cancer went from a disease in search of a cure to a marketing tactic. (Related: the white elephant gift I received for Christmas this year was a fabulous fleece Columbia-brand jacket...but it's pink and has that damn ribbon on the front. I immediately ironed on a Chicago Cubs patch over the pink ribbon. I just cannot support that pink ribbon crap.)
I donate to organizations that are trying to save animals, especially sea creatures, and especially sea turtles specifically.
-
I try to give to charities that keep the donations in the community. Many charities send their donations to developing countries, putting local merchants out of business in those countries. People in Africa apparently prefer an American T-shirt over a locally produced one. It puts the local textile shops in Africa out of business. Many donations end up harming people far away. I just saw an article about used vehicles ending up on lots in Somalia or Ethiopia, and helping to fund terrorism. Do those donated vehicles to NPR end up funding Hezbollah? I don't know.
I also look for charities that have relatively little overhead, to avoid my donations ending up in the pockets of the CEO or Board of Directors of a charitable organization. Definitely avoid donating to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. These donations do not benefit cancer patients or research in any significant degree.
I used to give to the Rotary Foundation's efforts to eradicate polio. But they ran into the problem of resistance to immunization in war zones like the border between Afghanistan and Pakistan and pockets in Africa. I don't think donating for that cause is useful as long as the wars in those areas continue.
I do not give to organizations that promote violence, such as PETA. I also do not give to overtly political groups, such as the Boy Scouts with their stance against gays.
My goal is to donate my time to Habitat for Humanity in my area. That way you know for sure that you are helping your community and learn new skills in the process.
This is not true. I know of two people personally who have gotten grant funding direçtly from American Heart Association to do heart research with a direct benefit to research as a whole and to patients. I don't care if people chose not to donate but don't lie about why.
-
Charity Navigator is great for big, national orgs, not so much for the small, local ones. Like the difference between a big box store and shopping local, the economy of scale is different and basing decisions for local giving based on Charity Nav really hurts those organizations.
I don't mind seeing a higher percentage going to overhead for local charities. I think people who choose to work at these charities should be paid fairly (I know it is a pipe dream to ever expect what they get paid in the private sector) but they should absolutely be paid a decent living wage. I know probably 2 dozen (at least) people who work full time in small nonprofits who qualify for foodstamps and live at below "official" poverty level.
Also, programs don't run themselves, or are created out of thin air. Most of the grants available are program specific or have restrictions against being use for admin, and you are not allowed to use for overhead, so who covers those wages, and pays the electric bill? Generally, I look at the overall mission of the org and what they are doing and how big of an impact they are making.
Charity Nav actually hurts many of the the very small orgs, and they are usually the ones on the ground locally making a difference. There are some other rating programs in the works, not sure what stage of development they are at or the metrics they will be using.
-
I support many of the causes that PETA advocates for, but dislike their methods. I stopped donating to Greenpeace for a variety of reasons . . . the careless damage of the Nazca lines, misinformation that they have distributed, and their opposition of genetically modified foods.
-
Atheists: still excluded. They're worse than them gay folk! ;)
I'm not sure what you're saying. I'm not aware of BSA ever being anything but welcoming of non-religious groups wanting to charter scouting units. The majority of units may be chartered by churches, but that does not mean BSA is discriminatory.
-
Atheists: still excluded. They're worse than them gay folk! ;)
I'm not sure what you're saying. I'm not aware of BSA ever being anything but welcoming of non-religious groups wanting to charter scouting units. The majority of units may be chartered by churches, but that does not mean BSA is discriminatory.
Their official position was no atheists allowed as of 2015...not sure if they've changed the rules since then.
-
I became disillusioned with the Red Cross after Haiti. I also avoid the numerous policemen charities that call.
-
Goodwill--not interested in supporting a for-profit company just because it's convenient to drop off bags of items.
-
Atheists: still excluded. They're worse than them gay folk! ;)
I'm not sure what you're saying. I'm not aware of BSA ever being anything but welcoming of non-religious groups wanting to charter scouting units. The majority of units may be chartered by churches, but that does not mean BSA is discriminatory.
Their official position was no atheists allowed as of 2015...not sure if they've changed the rules since then.
They've been sued a few times over it. Courts have upheld the BSA. Personally I think they have the right to discriminate against anyone. It's their club. But I will dislike them for it.
Not wonderfully well cited, but here's a wikipedia page outlining the controversy: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Boy_Scouts_of_America_membership_controversies#Position_on_religious_belief
Totally off topic, but a bunch of very religious folk around here split off BSA back in 2015 and formed their own grass roots scouting organization that excludes gays. Friends and I called it the I-hate-gay-scouts. I'm pretty sure they excluded atheists there, too. ;)
-
Goodwill--not interested in supporting a for-profit company just because it's convenient to drop off bags of items.
Are you sure about this? Wikipedia says they're a non-profit. The receipt i got last week from them says they are a non-profit corportation.
-
I don't donate to any charity that buys or donates bibles or has a religious spin at all.
Yep. Apart from the bible pushers there are loads of decent religious charities, but there are also loads of religious donors. Animal activist groups are also not on my donation list. Some of them because they have a lot of people supporting them already, others are on my list of organizations to actively work against, because of all the lies they spread about indigenous hunting traditions.
Some of my favourite charities have very high administrative costs, because their core work is in administration; educating and training people, providing free legal aid, fighting corruption, etc. One organization I doubt many here would consider, but that I support regularly, trains local people to remove land mines, but also support unions in different countries of the world. https://www.npaid.org/
-
Goodwill--not interested in supporting a for-profit company just because it's convenient to drop off bags of items.
Are you sure about this? Wikipedia says they're a non-profit. The receipt i got last week from them says they are a non-profit corportation.
You're right, it's not "for-profit" per se, but it has a lot of suspect practices, including paying disabled workers less than minimum wage. You can read a bit here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-hrabe/goodwill-minimum-wage_b_3246824.html
-
I don't give to religious charities, my alma mater (it's a state school), United Way (they support charities I disagree with such as BSA).
I have been donating to Planned Parenthood, but I learned my local women's clinic is part of a Carolina abortion fund so I might switch my giving.
I don't buy stuff to support organizations because I don't usually need the stuff, it is overpriced,and usually a cash contribution will go further. I only give money, never food, to the food bank because they can do more with money than with food.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
-
I no longer pay tithing to my church, does that count? For years and years and years I paid 10% on my gross income. Then the church decided to build a mega shopping mall and I decided that they weren't going to get another dime from me. Now I use my donation budget to help people in my community that are struggling and need help.
-
I don't donate to religious organizations, organizations that cold call my business, organizations with high pressure sales tactics or my alma mater (largest endowment for a single campus public university).
-
An equally important thread. Thanks for starting it. Interesting that it already has more views then the one I started. ;)
-
Goodwill--not interested in supporting a for-profit company just because it's convenient to drop off bags of items.
Are you sure about this? Wikipedia says they're a non-profit. The receipt i got last week from them says they are a non-profit corportation.
You're right, it's not "for-profit" per se, but it has a lot of suspect practices, including paying disabled workers less than minimum wage. You can read a bit here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-hrabe/goodwill-minimum-wage_b_3246824.html
Thats what ths thread is about, not-for-profit corporations that ask for our money but may not do the job we would like to see them do. For me, I love Goodwill, sometimes donate items, often shop there. My donate-to-buy ratio is 1:15 so I do not characterize myself as much of a donator, but I know they need me buy their merchandise.
That reminds me, then"Scholar Shops" are closing here in St. louis. They sold donated clothing, jewelry, personal items. Due to a variety of market factors, they are no longer making a profit even though their objects cost them nothing and some of their labor is volunteer. Overhead is a real cost.
-
United Way. Nope, nope, nope.
-
I don't give to REd Cross, United Way, etc because they spend much of the $ on salaries, travel, etc. I give to my local Salvation Army and a few other small homeless shelters, here. Although, all the small ones are religious based we have about 3 here that do excellent work and take little in the way of salaries. I also give to our local Humane Society which is no-kill. I no longer give to the national HS or ASPC since I found out that neither give some of the $ back to the local chapters.
-
Oh yeah, I forgot about Planet Aid and other similar clothes drop off boxes. Bunch of scam artists. I'd rather just freecycle my clothes.
https://www.charitywatch.org/charitywatch-articles/planet-aid-39-s-34-recycling-34-program-debunked-/88
-
My favorite charities are pretty much the one the OP dislikes.
Planned Parenthood is my favorite, followed by the regional food bank. We also volunteer with the regional food bank. The food bank is a win-win-win as far as I'm concerned. Food and other goods come from companies that have produced overruns or have minor problems like misaligned labels that prevents the companies from selling it. They also get a great deal of food donated by grocery chains as it nears sell by dates. Some of the food is very high quality and yes, it's much more expensive stuff (organic, etc.) than I normally buy. All of this perfectly usable material is kept out of landfills. It helps people who can't feed themselves or their families. The companies get a tax break. The food bank uses volunteers to sort and package the food. I adore volunteering there.
I also donate to the Freedom from Religion Foundation,NARAL and Partners in Health.
I don't donate to any charity connected to a religion. I also will not contribute through the United Way. My employer tries to pressure us into doing United Way and I greatly resent it.
-
I have never given to my alma matter. Like many universities, their endowment is enough to support far more in financial aid than they currently give.
Same. I have never donated a cent to my alma mater (a top Ivy League school). I feel that I already paid my fair share, as I did not receive any financial aid. I feel like my education was fee for service--I paid and I got something in return. I don't see the need for charity in this case, any more than if I went to Starbucks and paid for a latte. I am seriously annoyed when they call me to solicit donations and have asked to be taken off the call list.
-
Why do so many people dislike United Way? I donate through work. The local United Way has a four star rating on Charity Advisor. I don't necessarily agree with all of the agencies they support but by and large they seem to do good work. I can also designate what agencies receive my donation. Just curious if there is something about United Way that I haven't considered?
-
Goodwill--not interested in supporting a for-profit company just because it's convenient to drop off bags of items.
Are you sure about this? Wikipedia says they're a non-profit. The receipt i got last week from them says they are a non-profit corportation.
You're right, it's not "for-profit" per se, but it has a lot of suspect practices, including paying disabled workers less than minimum wage. You can read a bit here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-hrabe/goodwill-minimum-wage_b_3246824.html
Interesting, I had not heard this before.
-
I don't give to religious charities, my alma mater (it's a state school), United Way (they support charities I disagree with such as BSA).
I have been donating to Planned Parenthood, but I learned my local women's clinic is part of a Carolina abortion fund so I might switch my giving.
I don't buy stuff to support organizations because I don't usually need the stuff, it is overpriced,and usually a cash contribution will go further. I only give money, never food, to the food bank because they can do more with money than with food.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
While I agree not giving to a school with an already massive endowment is pretty logical, the way most state budgets are going (e.g. the UC's now get less than 10% from the state),many public universities actually need philanthropic support rather badly. Because they were so heavily subsidized for so many years and thus do not have a longstanding fundraising pipeline, most have very small endowments relative to their size and history.
-
My favorite charities are pretty much the one the OP dislikes.
Planned Parenthood is my favorite, followed by the regional food bank. We also volunteer with the regional food bank. The food bank is a win-win-win as far as I'm concerned. Food and other goods come from companies that have produced overruns or have minor problems like misaligned labels that prevents the companies from selling it. They also get a great deal of food donated by grocery chains as it nears sell by dates. Some of the food is very high quality and yes, it's much more expensive stuff (organic, etc.) than I normally buy. All of this perfectly usable material is kept out of landfills. It helps people who can't feed themselves or their families. The companies get a tax break. The food bank uses volunteers to sort and package the food. I adore volunteering there.
I also donate to the Freedom from Religion Foundation,NARAL and Partners in Health.
I don't donate to any charity connected to a religion. I also will not contribute through the United Way. My employer tries to pressure us into doing United Way and I greatly resent it.
You are welcome to list positive attributes of your favorite charities in that other thread. Haha.
Seriously, I dont mind cross pollination of threads. I like discussions that meander, and I think they can lead to useful stuff. I am not a topic nazi.
-
Why do so many people dislike United Way? I donate through work. The local United Way has a four star rating on Charity Advisor. I don't necessarily agree with all of the agencies they support but by and large they seem to do good work. I can also designate what agencies receive my donation. Just curious if there is something about United Way that I haven't considered?
I don't like being strong armed by my employer to make payroll deductions for things that are none of their damned business. If I want to donate to Planned Parenthood, I want PP to get 100% of my contribution, not to have the United Way skim off a percentage for administration.
-
Why do so many people dislike United Way? I donate through work. The local United Way has a four star rating on Charity Advisor. I don't necessarily agree with all of the agencies they support but by and large they seem to do good work. I can also designate what agencies receive my donation. Just curious if there is something about United Way that I haven't considered?
I don't like being strong armed by my employer to make payroll deductions for things that are none of their damned business. If I want to donate to Planned Parenthood, I want PP to get 100% of my contribution, not to have the United Way skim off a percentage for administration.
Yup. This. And the whole "no, don't give to them. Give to us and we'll give to them." feels really sleazy.
-
Why do so many people dislike United Way? I donate through work. The local United Way has a four star rating on Charity Advisor. I don't necessarily agree with all of the agencies they support but by and large they seem to do good work. I can also designate what agencies receive my donation. Just curious if there is something about United Way that I haven't considered?
I don't like being strong armed by my employer to make payroll deductions for things that are none of their damned business. If I want to donate to Planned Parenthood, I want PP to get 100% of my contribution, not to have the United Way skim off a percentage for administration.
Yup. This. And the whole "no, don't give to them. Give to us and we'll give to them." feels really sleazy.
Thanks to you both for responding. I guess my perspective is a little different because I used to work for a non-profit that was a designated United Way agency. We saw it as a really good thing (this was in a small conservative town and the agency was a family planning clinic, so ultimately we received more money through United Way than we would have independently. We didn't have a lot of staff do fundraising so it was helpful to have United Way doing that for us, so to speak). I understand what you guys are saying though, by giving directly you know 100% of your money goes to the charity.
-
Charity Navigator is great for big, national orgs, not so much for the small, local ones. Like the difference between a big box store and shopping local, the economy of scale is different and basing decisions for local giving based on Charity Nav really hurts those organizations.
I don't mind seeing a higher percentage going to overhead for local charities. I think people who choose to work at these charities should be paid fairly (I know it is a pipe dream to ever expect what they get paid in the private sector) but they should absolutely be paid a decent living wage. I know probably 2 dozen (at least) people who work full time in small nonprofits who qualify for foodstamps and live at below "official" poverty level.
Also, programs don't run themselves, or are created out of thin air. Most of the grants available are program specific or have restrictions against being use for admin, and you are not allowed to use for overhead, so who covers those wages, and pays the electric bill? Generally, I look at the overall mission of the org and what they are doing and how big of an impact they are making.
Charity Nav actually hurts many of the the very small orgs, and they are usually the ones on the ground locally making a difference. There are some other rating programs in the works, not sure what stage of development they are at or the metrics they will be using.
Yes, most certainly. Small organizations scale so differently than big ones. Percentages don't work as well for assessment.
-
Oh right, the ACLU and NPR. Both received donations from me years in a row too. Now, nope.
I probably will go back to giving to NPR in a while, I am just burned out on their POV for the time being. The radio plays a lot in our house and when I retired, I heard too much of NPR. I am glad Diane Rehm is off the air, I dont know if she could crawl further up into Hillary Clinton's butt if she tried. There are many many great programs on NPR, though and I will put up with their liberal slant because the content is good.
When my mother died a few years ago she left me a nice little sum of money, some of which I spread around to non-profits. That was fun! I got to play Lady Bountiful. And NPR didnt get any due to the double Schiller shenanigans. At the time of the first Schiller debacle, I wrote to NPr to tell them they werent getting any money from me while V. Schiller is at the helm. When she finally stepped down, I gave again to NPR but unfortunately for them, all of my inheritance money was gone and they just got a typical check from me.
To refresh your memory of Schiller shenanigans:
http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2011/03/10/134388981/npr-ceo-vivian-schiller-resigns
-
I dont give to religious orgs or large cancer charities/huge orgs with tons of overhead and little transparency. Never to la leche or other breastfeeding orgs that shame and look down on moms who cant exclusively beastfeed and use shoddy research to scare/guilt women into breastfeeding the "right" way. I am also starting to get frustrated with even orgs I generally like, such as PP/naral. Too often they jump the line from legit public health promotion into moral ideologies that demonize people who dont completely agree with them. As I get older extremism in ideologies is starting to really frustrate me.
-
Why do so many people dislike United Way? I donate through work. The local United Way has a four star rating on Charity Advisor. I don't necessarily agree with all of the agencies they support but by and large they seem to do good work. I can also designate what agencies receive my donation. Just curious if there is something about United Way that I haven't considered?
I won't give to United Way because they explicitly rule out any aid to anything in my rural county on the basis that the county has no large employer to "partner" with them. That means they can't solicit major payroll deductions here, so they won't help here. Rules out the highest poverty areas automatically, which tells me that helping is not with they are really in the business of doing.
-
I also do not give to overtly political groups, such as the Boy Scouts with their stance against gays.
The BSA is an interesting case study. I was an Eagle Scout and one of my kids is heavily involved in the program, but I agree that their politics are gross. It's the primary reason I have resisted becoming involved as an adult leader.
But their stance against gays has softened over the years. The Boy Scouts of America no longer kicks out gay scouts, and as of this year they don't nationally prohibit gay adult leaders (though individual units can and do still prohibit gay adult leaders).
Their policy against atheists is still disgusting, though, and far more discriminatory at every level. It's blatant and uncontested religious bigotry, and it's not what I want my kids to learn. I'm sure the KKK can teach you how to build campfires, too, but it's not worth it when it comes with a side order of hatred and intolerance for diversity.
-
I do not give money to homeless people. With so many people scamming out there it is impossible to tell who is really homeless and who is simply a scam artist.
-
Nothing to religious organizations, with a very occasional exception. If they truly do good in an area that is unserved by secular organizations, I'll give. There have been some local church-run food/diaper banks that I donated to.
Animal rescues that make a big point of raising multiple thousands of dollars for a surgery for one specific animal that should most likely be euthanized. Reasonable medical care that will result in a good quality of life after, sure. If you're trying to raise $10K for an amputation and prosthetic leg for a donkey, I don't feel that you're managing the rescue's money well. I'd rather my $50 go to spay/neuter/vaccinate or feed multiple animals.
United Way. I HATE their strongarm tactics in workplaces, that often mean people living below the poverty line are pressured into donating through their payroll. I've even heard people say that donation was mandatory! I refuse to donate or even fill out the form that says I won't donate.
-
The reason that Goodwill and some other agencies are allowed to pay below minimum wage to some disabled people is that the person works so slow that they would lose $ if they paid them minimum wage. I spent 25 years working with people with disabilities to get them to work. However, many of the workers make minimum wage or more. So a person with a severe disability say moderate intellectual disability with some physical issues is still able to work, have a place to go everyday, people to socialize with, etc instead of sitting home. This person would also be receiving SSI since they won't make enough to support themselves. Now that being said the quality of the Goodwill programs really vary and depends on the management. I have seen them really work with people so they can keep their jobs and I have seen them fire many of the people with disabilities that have worked there a long time when there is a change in management.
-
Salvation Army. I disagree with their stance on LGBT issues, and I don't like how they discriminate against the people they serve. I also don't give to animal charities — helping humans is a higher priority for me. In general, my default is not to give unless I've done research and believe in the organization.
I don't give to homeless people or folks on the street, not because I think they're lying necessarily, but because where I live, I pass the same 5–10 panhandlers nearly every day (often multiple times a day). It would be exhausting and stressful to constantly have to think about "am I going to give anything today? who will I give to? how much?" every time I leave my house, so I just don't.
-
Salvation Army does not discriminate against the people they serve. When I worked for the state they helped so many of our clients. They take very little in salaries and use most of the $ for their programs. I am not religious but they are high on my giving list.
-
Salvation Army does not discriminate against the people they serve. When I worked for the state they helped so many of our clients. They take very little in salaries and use most of the $ for their programs. I am not religious but they are high on my giving list.
Cassie, there have been mulitple cases of it.
-
So I went and looked up the stats and only 14.5 cents of every dollar donated goes to administrative needs. The rest goes to help people. There have been instances of discrimination but as this is a huge organization I would say it is not the norm. In the states that I have lived in they have been awesome. I don't agree with their religious views but it does not take away from all the good work they do. I have known a lot of people from my job that have went through their programs for drugs/alcohol and it was what they needed to get off the street and get on their feet being provided shelter and food for 6 months.
-
Salvation Army does not discriminate against the people they serve. When I worked for the state they helped so many of our clients. They take very little in salaries and use most of the $ for their programs. I am not religious but they are high on my giving list.
Cassie, there have been mulitple cases of it.
I have to agree with Cassie on this. They have discriminatory hiring practices, but I can't find any cases of discriminating against the people they serve. Whether you like their hiring practices is another issue. They are a church after all.
-
Animal rescues that make a big point of raising multiple thousands of dollars for a surgery for one specific animal that should most likely be euthanized. Reasonable medical care that will result in a good quality of life after, sure. If you're trying to raise $10K for an amputation and prosthetic leg for a donkey, I don't feel that you're managing the rescue's money well. I'd rather my $50 go to spay/neuter/vaccinate or feed multiple animals.
Yes, so much this. I volunteer heavily with animal rescues so I've seen this firsthand. I am now focusing my donations specifically on spay/neuter projects because I feel like my money has a much bigger impact. I'll donate to an animal charity but make it a restricted donation for their spay/neuter clinic or initiatives.
-
Here's why I hate the United Way. Years ago I was hired by a company 1200 miles away from where we lived. Negotiated salary, moving expenses, benefits, the whole works. We quit our jobs in Louisiana, packed up and moved to Pennsylvania.
First day on the new job the owner (who I reported to) called me in to his office and explained that he was on the local United Way board and he would be EXTREMELY displeased if I didn't donate. He pretty much made it mandatory and told me the amount I should (would) be donating.
So it was basically a 1.6% pay cut my first day on the job.
-
The reason that Goodwill and some other agencies are allowed to pay below minimum wage to some disabled people is that the person works so slow that they would lose $ if they paid them minimum wage. I spent 25 years working with people with disabilities to get them to work. However, many of the workers make minimum wage or more. So a person with a severe disability say moderate intellectual disability with some physical issues is still able to work, have a place to go everyday, people to socialize with, etc instead of sitting home. This person would also be receiving SSI since they won't make enough to support themselves. Now that being said the quality of the Goodwill programs really vary and depends on the management. I have seen them really work with people so they can keep their jobs and I have seen them fire many of the people with disabilities that have worked there a long time when there is a change in management.
I have always wondered about the GW programs for the disabled.
I hang around several GW stores, I shop them often and have been for years. I have NEVER seen persons with obvious disabilities.
What are typical rasks performed by those in the disability employment program, and would I be likely to see them?
-
- United Way due to the horror stories about them I've heard from people in big corporate
- Salvation Army as the local sites have "no guns" signs on the door
- Sierra Club due to their part in the travesty of paving the road up to Pike's Peak
...and more generally the whole collection of well meaning, but misguided and terrorist tactic using "environmental" groups (I'm a conservationist at heart, but I cannot abide the level of hypocrisy and downright evil that's so pervasive in that entire class of "charity")
-
I also do not give to overtly political groups, such as the Boy Scouts with their stance against gays.
The BSA is an interesting case study. I was an Eagle Scout and one of my kids is heavily involved in the program, but I agree that their politics are gross. It's the primary reason I have resisted becoming involved as an adult leader.
But their stance against gays has softened over the years. The Boy Scouts of America no longer kicks out gay scouts, and as of this year they don't nationally prohibit gay adult leaders (though individual units can and do still prohibit gay adult leaders).
Their policy against atheists is still disgusting, though, and far more discriminatory at every level. It's blatant and uncontested religious bigotry, and it's not what I want my kids to learn. I'm sure the KKK can teach you how to build campfires, too, but it's not worth it when it comes with a side order of hatred and intolerance for diversity.
Pretty much all of this. I'm a gay atheist Eagle Scout. I look back on my time in scouts as some of the best in my life, but I still do not donate money or time. I'm happy to see their softening their stances in some ways. While there was a religious aspect to scouts it was never front and center. I picked up a lot of skills and gained a great appreciation of the outdoors. I also lost my virginity in a tent in the woods. :)
I don't donate to the salvation army for the same reasons. I instead make most of my donations to local LGBTQ charities especially those aimed at helping struggling youth and hiv patients.
-
Charity Navigator is great for big, national orgs, not so much for the small, local ones. Like the difference between a big box store and shopping local, the economy of scale is different and basing decisions for local giving based on Charity Nav really hurts those organizations.
I don't mind seeing a higher percentage going to overhead for local charities. I think people who choose to work at these charities should be paid fairly (I know it is a pipe dream to ever expect what they get paid in the private sector) but they should absolutely be paid a decent living wage. I know probably 2 dozen (at least) people who work full time in small nonprofits who qualify for foodstamps and live at below "official" poverty level.
Also, programs don't run themselves, or are created out of thin air. Most of the grants available are program specific or have restrictions against being use for admin, and you are not allowed to use for overhead, so who covers those wages, and pays the electric bill? Generally, I look at the overall mission of the org and what they are doing and how big of an impact they are making.
Charity Nav actually hurts many of the the very small orgs, and they are usually the ones on the ground locally making a difference. There are some other rating programs in the works, not sure what stage of development they are at or the metrics they will be using.
The biggest problem for Charity Navigator and small charities is that lots of small local charities fly under the radar. They are not even listed let alone rated. But just because it's local doesn't mean that it's smart/honest/efficient. Many local charities have been found to be awe inspiringly corrupt. Sleazeballs don't just live in Third World countries or in Florida. Many live comfortably next-door disguised as good Christians/atheists/puppy lovers/whatever. The positive is that, since it's local, you can do investigation on your own and simply ask members pertinent questions and see actual results.
-
So long as there is a federal income tax I will not give to any charity not involved in reducing the size and scope of the federal government.
-
I no longer give to any colleges or universities. Seems like they all have billion dollar endowments.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
-
The BSA is an interesting case study.
Truer words have rarely been said (typed)... As a child I was pulled from and/or denied entry into quite a number of programs (in one case I remember it was being pushed by our local government!) once my parents found out that the BSA was the real sponsoring party pulling the strings from behind the scense. I come from a very religious family and the generic religious requirement is abhorrent. It violates our religious beliefs as much as it violates an atheists beliefs.
I've now had to leave a couple of other clubs as an adult that I was in once finding out that they were doing special deals with and donating to the BSA.
-
Charity Navigator is great for big, national orgs, not so much for the small, local ones. Like the difference between a big box store and shopping local, the economy of scale is different and basing decisions for local giving based on Charity Nav really hurts those organizations.
I don't mind seeing a higher percentage going to overhead for local charities. I think people who choose to work at these charities should be paid fairly (I know it is a pipe dream to ever expect what they get paid in the private sector) but they should absolutely be paid a decent living wage. I know probably 2 dozen (at least) people who work full time in small nonprofits who qualify for foodstamps and live at below "official" poverty level.
Also, programs don't run themselves, or are created out of thin air. Most of the grants available are program specific or have restrictions against being use for admin, and you are not allowed to use for overhead, so who covers those wages, and pays the electric bill? Generally, I look at the overall mission of the org and what they are doing and how big of an impact they are making.
Charity Nav actually hurts many of the the very small orgs, and they are usually the ones on the ground locally making a difference. There are some other rating programs in the works, not sure what stage of development they are at or the metrics they will be using.
Worthy remarks!
I have done some (volunteer) accounting for nonprofits, and analyzed a number of other nonprofits' published finances in comparison to what I could see of their operations. To me it looks like a lot of the nonprofits with 1% or 5% rates are simply not accounting for many of their resources, so the basis of comparison is somewhat deceptive.
Efficiency can be poorly measured if 80% of the time spent is off the books. It can be argued that each dollar is going a long way, but I personally concluded that a dollar where 20 cents is paid for "administration" and 80 cents pays for $5 of results is better than a dollar where 5 cents is administration, $4 is inefficient volunteer time off the books and the 95 cents still gets only $2 of results.
It's still worth giving a dollar. Just look deeper than a simple percentage at some point.
-
IL: yes if they hired people with disabilities you should see some of them. Some will work behind the scenes hanging clothes, pricing items and putting them out. The guy that takes your donations might have a disability. Unless the disability is physical or an intellectual disability you might not know. Our local GW was so good about hiring PWD's until new management came and fired them. We even paid for job coaches to help our clients learn a new task, etc so they could get or keep a job.
-
I do not give to the Salvation Army for three reasons: 1.) I do not give to religious based charities, 2.) They do not disclose their financials and 3.) I f'ing hate the bell-ringers.
-
They only spend 14.5 cents of each dollar on administrative costs.
-
I also look for charities that have relatively little overhead, to avoid my donations ending up in the pockets of the CEO or Board of Directors of a charitable organization. Definitely avoid donating to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. These donations do not benefit cancer patients or research in any significant degree.
With all respect, I don't agree with donating only to charities with low overhead.
I highly recommend this TED talk on the topic:
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong
"Activist and fundraiser Dan Pallotta calls out the double standard that drives our broken relationship to charities. Too many nonprofits, he says, are rewarded for how little they spend — not for what they get done. Instead of equating frugality with morality, he asks us to start rewarding charities for their big goals and big accomplishments (even if that comes with big expenses). In this bold talk, he says: Let's change the way we think about changing the world."
-
Audubon Society, for totally petty reasons
My wife made a token donation, partially for the free tote bags. Soon after that we started getting tons of targeted mail and it was obvious they sold our name to related charities.
Now we have a bunch of money sitting in a donor advised fund, none of it is going to the Audobon society, but maybe I will direct some funds to organizations that preserve animals that eat birds just out of spite...
Good tote bags though, in all fairness.
-
I also look for charities that have relatively little overhead, to avoid my donations ending up in the pockets of the CEO or Board of Directors of a charitable organization. Definitely avoid donating to the American Heart Association or the American Cancer Society. These donations do not benefit cancer patients or research in any significant degree.
With all respect, I don't agree with donating only to charities with low overhead.
I highly recommend this TED talk on the topic:
https://www.ted.com/talks/dan_pallotta_the_way_we_think_about_charity_is_dead_wrong
"Activist and fundraiser Dan Pallotta calls out the double standard that drives our broken relationship to charities. Too many nonprofits, he says, are rewarded for how little they spend — not for what they get done. Instead of equating frugality with morality, he asks us to start rewarding charities for their big goals and big accomplishments (even if that comes with big expenses). In this bold talk, he says: Let's change the way we think about changing the world."
I saw that. I'm not in the least convinced. Just because you get on TED doesn't actually mean you're smart. Plenty of very effective charities have low overhead. Direct Relief (formerly Direct Relief International) is a good example. And charities aren't rewarded for efficiency so much as recognized. On the balance charities that gulp down the big bucks for little output either suck at what they do or they're frauds.
-
United Way. This is a big corporate marketing company....not a charity. CEO Brian Gallagher makes over $1.2MM a year in total compensation with other executives pulling in big dollars. What direct charity activity do they perform? None. They distribute *some* of what they take in to actual charities who have their own overhead costs.
I have never contributed a dime to United Way, despite workplace pressure from the higher ups. If I want to give $50 to a local charity, I'll give $50 to them instead of giving $150 to United Way so that $50 can trickle down to the actual charity.
-
a few years back, we gave to Red Cross after natural disasters like Haiti.
Then I read ProPublica's series (https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-red-cross-raised-half-a-billion-dollars-for-haiti-and-built-6-homes) of articles on Red Cross and I haven't been able to give to them since.
I looked at charity navigator's score for Red Cross and it's not as bad as I feared - 3 out of 4 stars.
I'm not sure what that says to me.
Maybe the scoring system in charity navigator is too easy to game.
p.s. After watching Spotlight, I gained a better appreciation for investigative journalism, so I will steer my dollars to ProPublica instead.
-
Now we have a bunch of money sitting in a donor advised fund, none of it is going to the Audobon society, but maybe I will direct some funds to organizations that preserve animals that eat birds just out of spite...
Alley Cat Allies!
There has been a long-standing feud between bird-lovers and cat lovers. It is getting a bit ridiculous.
-
I never give to Salvation Army due to my atheism.
Their beliefs, such as the following, which can be found on their website, make my skin crawl:
"We believe...in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked."
Even if I gave them a quarter they'd still think I was destined for eternal damnation. No thank you. I'd rather my $ go to a secular organization.
-
I never give to Salvation Army due to my atheism.
Their beliefs, such as the following, which can be found on their website, make my skin crawl:
"We believe...in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked."
Even if I gave them a quarter they'd still think I was destined for eternal damnation. No thank you. I'd rather my $ go to a secular organization.
I can understand an atheist not wanting to donate to a religiously motivated charity. Other posters have the same sentiment. But what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
-
what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
I think it's more accurate to say that Push is motivated by the charity's philosophical perspective on hatred and bigotry.
Maybe the KKK runs a great bookmobile, but they're still evil. That doesn't change depending on whether I can read or not.
-
what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
I think it's more accurate to say that Push is motivated by the charity's philosophical perspective on hatred and bigotry.
Maybe the KKK runs a great bookmobile, but they're still evil. That doesn't change depending on whether I can read or not.
Maybe what Push meant to say was that but what Push said was the regard the charity had for him played into his decision. If you're an atheist who doesn't give because they believe religious organizations represent something between ignorant and actively wicked, that's one thing. But considering how such regards them is another.
Anyways, I'm gonna stop before I derail the thread.
-
what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
I think it's more accurate to say that Push is motivated by the charity's philosophical perspective on hatred and bigotry.
Maybe the KKK runs a great bookmobile, but they're still evil. That doesn't change depending on whether I can read or not.
Maybe what Push meant to say was that but what Push said was the regard the charity had for him played into his decision. If you're an atheist who doesn't give because they believe religious organizations represent something between ignorant and actively wicked, that's one thing. But considering how such regards them is another.
Anyways, I'm gonna stop before I derail the thread.
I don't think it's so wrong to care about what they think about you. If every time you tossed a quarter in the Salvation Army bucket, the guy said "Burn in Hell, asshole!", you'd probably stop dropping quarters. I know I would.
-
I research my charities and am generally happy with them. I'm surprised by the Goodwill stuff -- I used to sing with the regional manager in my area, and I know she wasn't making three figures. I wonder what the differences of practices are by location; it's something I'll have to look into. I've got plenty of time; I just made my big annual donation.
Generally, I skip animal charities. I like animals, but I feel obligated to help people more. A lot of my friends volunteer/donate to animal rescues and such, and I respect that. It just isn't for me. I don't think I could look a kid in the face and say, "I chose to feed this dog over feeding you."
That said, I know a LOT of my purchases are pretty evil when looked at in that light. "I chose to watch this movie instead of feeding you... I chose to get a haircut instead of feeding you..." Thinking that way constantly is a good way to go insane. But occasional thoughts like that can keep me grounded.
-
If every time you tossed a quarter in the Salvation Army bucket, the guy said "Burn in Hell, asshole!", you'd probably stop dropping quarters. I know I would.
You don't even have to drop a quarter. Every time they wagglee that little bell they are shouting it at you, whether you donate or not. Just like the KKK and their burning crosses, constantly out there reminding you that they exist, and that they hate you. Merry Christmas!
Generally, I skip animal charities. I like animals, but I feel obligated to help people more.
I'll do you one better: I actually support animal testing. I would murder ten adorable innocent puppies in order to save one homeless drug addict. Smear experimental lipstick into the eyes of a bunny rabbit, break a chimpanzee's legs to test medical devices, shoot a dog into space to die terrified and alone. We do these sorts of things every day to advance our own species, at the expense of other species I don't see how anyone can even object to these horrors, when we slaughter innocent animals by the millions just because they make our burritos tastier.
With that said, my house is full of animal pets that are part of my family. They are loved and cared for and provided an amazing life, but I don't pretend they are people. They may sleep in my bed, but I would not hesitate to strangle my fur babies with my bare hands to save my human babies. Every despicable degenerate drug addicted sociopath is someone's human baby, and deserves the same consideration.
-
I never give to Salvation Army due to my atheism.
Their beliefs, such as the following, which can be found on their website, make my skin crawl:
"We believe...in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked."
Even if I gave them a quarter they'd still think I was destined for eternal damnation. No thank you. I'd rather my $ go to a secular organization.
I can understand an atheist not wanting to donate to a religiously motivated charity. Other posters have the same sentiment. But what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
I'm motivated by what the charity thinks of a large portion of the world, which happens to include myself.
And I'm a "she" :)
-
what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
I think it's more accurate to say that Push is motivated by the charity's philosophical perspective on hatred and bigotry.
Maybe the KKK runs a great bookmobile, but they're still evil. That doesn't change depending on whether I can read or not.
Very nicely put :)
-
I never give to Salvation Army due to my atheism.
Their beliefs, such as the following, which can be found on their website, make my skin crawl:
"We believe...in the general judgment at the end of the world, in the eternal happiness of the righteous, and in the endless punishment of the wicked."
Even if I gave them a quarter they'd still think I was destined for eternal damnation. No thank you. I'd rather my $ go to a secular organization.
I can understand an atheist not wanting to donate to a religiously motivated charity. Other posters have the same sentiment. But what you're saying here instead is that you're more motivated by what that charity thinks of you.
I'm motivated by what the charity thinks of a large portion of the world, which happens to include myself.
And I'm a "she" :)
Sorry. I try not to assume anyone's sexual identity from what they say about themselves on the internet. Occasionally I fail.
Getting back on track. I do occasionally make contributions to political/social causes. But I don't really consider these charities though some straddle the line.
-
Salvation Army for discrimination against LGBT persons, especially leaving LGBT youths who are very vulnerable on the streets.
-
Salvation Army for discrimination against LGBT persons, especially leaving LGBT youths who are very vulnerable on the streets.
I saw this pop up in another thread. Do you have proof of this statement? (Technically I leave LGBT youths on the streets, too, despite being LGBT myself and sympathetic.) They do discriminate in hiring for some positions, but they are a church, which means they are allowed to.
-
Allowed to and right are two entirely different things.
-
Allowed to and right are two entirely different things.
I think it's both "allowable" and "correct" for a religious institution to hire those who espouse their beliefs, for leadership positions. Do you have any idea what you're suggesting?
-
Allowed to and right are two entirely different things.
I think it's both "allowable" and "correct" for a religious institution to hire those who espouse their beliefs, for leadership positions. Do you have any idea what you're suggesting?
Lots of organizations have f'ed up beliefs? LOL.
-
Audubon Society, for totally petty reasons
My wife made a token donation, partially for the free tote bags. Soon after that we started getting tons of targeted mail and it was obvious they sold our name to related charities.
Now we have a bunch of money sitting in a donor advised fund, none of it is going to the Audobon society, but maybe I will direct some funds to organizations that preserve animals that eat birds just out of spite...
Good tote bags though, in all fairness.
I think this is hilarious because I have specifically NOT supported organizations who give tote bags and similar free gifts because they end up spending way more money than I donated on the free gift and the constant follow-up mailings asking for more money. That is why I quite donating to Amnesty International (and I told them so).
I agree with you on selling my name though - they did that too. That is another sure-fire way to piss me off and make it so I don't donate to you again.
-
Salvation Army for discrimination against LGBT persons, especially leaving LGBT youths who are very vulnerable on the streets.
I saw this pop up in another thread. Do you have proof of this statement? (Technically I leave LGBT youths on the streets, too, despite being LGBT myself and sympathetic.) They do discriminate in hiring for some positions, but they are a church, which means they are allowed to.
The originally reason many in the LGBT and ally community stopped supporting Salvation Army was a specific person telling a story about him and his boyfriend needing help within their mission and the Army saying that unless they separated, no help. That was twenty years ago but multiple people have come forward in that time with similar stories of their own, though the Army says the other stories beside the original are untrue. You also have the religious aspect where the Army requires you to pray for any help you get (which they do admit), which for many of other religions, goes against their religion (keeping in mind that for disaster relief they get funds from the federal government) and for others like LGBT may feel like an attack if you have previously had someone/ groups of somones say you are going to hell based on that religion.
-
Generally, I skip animal charities. I like animals, but I feel obligated to help people more.
I'll do you one better: I actually support animal testing. I would murder ten adorable innocent puppies in order to save one homeless drug addict. Smear experimental lipstick into the eyes of a bunny rabbit, break a chimpanzee's legs to test medical devices, shoot a dog into space to die terrified and alone. We do these sorts of things every day to advance our own species, at the expense of other species I don't see how anyone can even object to these horrors, when we slaughter innocent animals by the millions just because they make our burritos tastier.
This is an interesting problem. For me, gut reaction says this:
Animal testing for medical purposes: OK
Animal testing to advance science: Case by case basis (this one can be tricky).
Animal testing for cosmetics: Not OK, this is unnecessary cruelty.
Killing animals to eat them: OK (provided it's done humanely)
Killing animals for clothing: OK (provided it's done humanely)
Killing animals to stuff them as tropies: Not OK, this seems unnecessary.
You're completely right regarding killing stuff, my gut reaction is not logically consistent. Killing a cow to eat it isn't any more necessary than killing a deer because you want some antlers to hang on your wall. There's no need to wear animals.
-
Generally, I skip animal charities. I like animals, but I feel obligated to help people more.
I'll do you one better: I actually support animal testing. I would murder ten adorable innocent puppies in order to save one homeless drug addict. Smear experimental lipstick into the eyes of a bunny rabbit, break a chimpanzee's legs to test medical devices, shoot a dog into space to die terrified and alone. We do these sorts of things every day to advance our own species, at the expense of other species I don't see how anyone can even object to these horrors, when we slaughter innocent animals by the millions just because they make our burritos tastier.
This is an interesting problem. For me, gut reaction says this:
Animal testing for medical purposes: OK
Animal testing to advance science: Case by case basis (this one can be tricky).
Animal testing for cosmetics: Not OK, this is unnecessary cruelty.
Killing animals to eat them: OK (provided it's done humanely)
Killing animals for clothing: OK (provided it's done humanely)
Killing animals to stuff them as tropies: Not OK, this seems unnecessary.
You're completely right regarding killing stuff, my gut reaction is not logically consistent. Killing a cow to eat it isn't any more necessary than killing a deer because you want some antlers to hang on your wall. There's no need to wear animals.
Yeah, ethics is always such a difficult thing to come up with "rules" for, isn't it. So easy to find ourself inconsistent based on our own personal experiences and beliefs, which often change back and forth as we meander through life and encounter new circumstances.
It's actually one of the reason I like MMM and this community in general. I think it's great to acknowledge that we are "a@#holes" occasionally and just do our best to be better and better each day.
I think it kinda goes along with the quote: “The problem with the world is that the intelligent people are full of doubts, while the stupid ones are full of confidence.”
Given the choices, I'd rather be surrounded by a bunch of intelligent people who question their assumptions each day.
Ok, back on track, organizations I don't donate too...
Religious organizations - because they are often full of confidence about things they can't prove, and in ways that often very unkind towards others. for example... to say that gay people will spend an eternity of damnation, despite the fact that you can't even prove or disprove the existence of a higher power...no thanks. If a group is going to get my money, they're gonna have to do better than that. Disclaimer: I am aware that many INDIVIDUALS in these organizations do NOT espouse these beliefs, and that some things these groups do is in fact positive, but that's enough to earn my dollars.
United Way - pressure tactics.
-
Many members of churches (disclosure: I am in this group) find giving to that church to be an important, nourishing act. I find it interesting that the data show so few people engage in "tithing", which is the practice of calculating 10% of income and giving to the church.
A set of Evangelicals--including many who are vocal about personal finance--espouse this fraction claiming biblical support for it. But I think most studies show that hardly anyone achieves this level.
-
Giving to our church, and how much, has been an ongoing subject of push-pull between my husband and me, and within myself. I've finally come to terms with it as considering it part-entertainment, part-therapy, part-educational, part-charity expense. We don't come close to tithing, but we do find it a positive to have a beautiful, calm place to go to every week as a family, where ethics are discussed, cared about, and acted on.
-
we do find it a positive to have a beautiful, calm place to go to every week as a family, where ethics are discussed, cared about, and acted on.
Awesome. This is the part of religion that I love. Building a community of caring individuals is absolutely integral to a happy life, IMO. I even support the idea of paying for it.
I just wish more people could do that without being asked to publicly declare that they believe in magical fairy tales. Every church I've ever attended has told me that they are saved and I am not, because I won't say I believe in magic, and most of them then add that I will suffer an eternity of torment for being different from them. That sort of takes the wind out of their sails in the whole "caring community" pitch.
-
Many members of churches (disclosure: I am in this group) find giving to that church to be an important, nourishing act. I find it interesting that the data show so few people engage in "tithing", which is the practice of calculating 10% of income and giving to the church.
Churches typically claim that tithing should be 10% of pre-tax income from one's job. I consider it to be 10% of one's yearly budget. If you want 10% of my "earned" income, you'll be very sad when I'm retired, whereas 10% of my budget is sustainable for the future of the church.
-
Churches typically claim that tithing should be 10% of pre-tax income from one's job. I consider it to be 10% of one's yearly budget. If you want 10% of my "earned" income, you'll be very sad when I'm retired, whereas 10% of my budget is sustainable for the future of the church.
This may sound like motivated reasoning from me, but I am very skeptical when churches claim a rule like that. The 10% references are mostly from the Old Testament when there was a temple, a huge chunk of the population had spiritual careers (Levites), and most of the rest were agrarian - life was very different. Jesus mentioned giving a tenth of one's spices but again, that was to Pharisees living under Judaism. New Testament Christians seemed to have a version of communism which can't really be applied today.
And I find it funny when churches try to explain that tithe is "supposed" to be pre-tax. Which version of the Bible was that detail in? Are Western Europeans supposed to get a huge tithe bill compared to everyone else? All this to say, I am aiming to give away 10% of my income, but only part of that will be to my church. If American churches weren't so into fancy buildings and renovations, it might have been more.
-
Churches typically claim that tithing should be 10% of pre-tax income from one's job. I consider it to be 10% of one's yearly budget. If you want 10% of my "earned" income, you'll be very sad when I'm retired, whereas 10% of my budget is sustainable for the future of the church.
This may sound like motivated reasoning from me, but I am very skeptical when churches claim a rule like that. The 10% references are mostly from the Old Testament when there was a temple, a huge chunk of the population had spiritual careers (Levites), and most of the rest were agrarian - life was very different. Jesus mentioned giving a tenth of one's spices but again, that was to Pharisees living under Judaism. New Testament Christians seemed to have a version of communism which can't really be applied today.
And I find it funny when churches try to explain that tithe is "supposed" to be pre-tax. Which version of the Bible was that detail in? Are Western Europeans supposed to get a huge tithe bill compared to everyone else? All this to say, I am aiming to give away 10% of my income, but only part of that will be to my church. If American churches weren't so into fancy buildings and renovations, it might have been more.
The word decimate has Roman roots. It was a punishment doled out to a group of soldiers who had committed a serious offence, where one in ten were randomly chosen and then executed.
Tithing is exactly the same. I've never been able to get behind decimating your income, pre-tax or post-tax.
-
we do find it a positive to have a beautiful, calm place to go to every week as a family, where ethics are discussed, cared about, and acted on.
Awesome. This is the part of religion that I love. Building a community of caring individuals is absolutely integral to a happy life, IMO. I even support the idea of paying for it.
I just wish more people could do that without being asked to publicly declare that they believe in magical fairy tales. Every church I've ever attended has told me that they are saved and I am not, because I won't say I believe in magic, and most of them then add that I will suffer an eternity of torment for being different from them. That sort of takes the wind out of their sails in the whole "caring community" pitch.
Well... this is off-topic for the post, but it seems like our church, ELCA, has been criticized for not casting nonbelievers, sinners, and LGBTQ folks into hell. As far as I can tell, their stance is "you decide, and you can decide to go to hell if you really want to, but we think everyone should be nice to everyone else." As a Roman Catholic refugee, I have to laugh because it's so touchy-feely and reminds me of the message from the Unitarian Jihad (http://www.sfgate.com/entertainment/carroll/article/JON-CARROLL-3324002.php). Yet we still get the cool stained glass windows, the singing, the felt wall hangings, and Easter egg hunts!
Yes, there is still the magic fairy tale aspect, but if you don't have or want faith, I hear that the Society for Ethical Culture has a lot of the social benefits of church without the religion.
-
Why do so many people dislike United Way? I donate through work. The local United Way has a four star rating on Charity Advisor. I don't necessarily agree with all of the agencies they support but by and large they seem to do good work. I can also designate what agencies receive my donation. Just curious if there is something about United Way that I haven't considered?
I don't like being strong armed by my employer to make payroll deductions for things that are none of their damned business. If I want to donate to Planned Parenthood, I want PP to get 100% of my contribution, not to have the United Way skim off a percentage for administration.
When I was in the military they forced us to support United Way. My current employer also does a huge campaign every year and tries hard to get everyone to sign up as they do matching too, but I loathe the UW so much I won't donate. Like others said I'd rather donate directly to the charity I choose and not pay (over pay) a bunch of people at UW. Also the general fund supports many things I'm strongly against. Like others have said, I'd like to know how much of my money is really going to the cause and I like to keep it in my community. I mostly volunteer time/services instead.
Yup. This. And the whole "no, don't give to them. Give to us and we'll give to them." feels really sleazy.
-
The ones I don't appreciate are the "buy a car from us and we'll make a $200 donation for you" or the grocery store "do you want to donate $1 to charity"?
-
I won't donate money to Planned Parenthood for the reasons folks might suspect. I will donate to Goodwill simply because I want to give my old stuff away and they will take it. I will also donate to Salvation Army, because I see the good that they do in my community.
Not a big fan of United Way due to the corporate structure -- but as I'm in "management" with my company, I really do have to give my $5 a pay-period to get the corporate higher-ups off my back.
I give regularly (monthly) to my church in support of its general operations. I don't give extra to any of the "mission trips" as they seem like glorified "feel good" vacations -- except when my kids go on one -- then I just write a check and fund their trip. Because I honestly think that sending my kids over to develop compassion and the ideal of helping others is worth spending a little money on. I'm just not all about funding grown-ups to do this. Kids, ok. Grown-ups - get a job.
I give to my hospital's hospice foundation. And I give money to the American Cancer Society.
I don't care too much about animal rights and would never give my money for anything animal related.