charity

December 19, 2005 2:39 PM

It's time for end of year charitable donations. Anyone have any suggestions for deserving candidates? Places where one's money can really make a difference?
posted by jgballard to Work & Money (23 answers total)

Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency. Often overlooked, but could use your help.
posted by null terminated at 2:43 PM on December 19, 2005

No media organization deserves it more then Democracy Now!
posted by wheelieman at 2:44 PM on December 19, 2005

How about hurricane relief in Guatemala? I know the folks who run this one, and can vouch for their honesty. Your money will go very, very far there.
posted by MrMoonPie at 2:48 PM on December 19, 2005

Mercy Corps is my current charity of choice.
posted by jlkr at 3:18 PM on December 19, 2005

Try some of these posts.
posted by matildaben at 3:24 PM on December 19, 2005

My favorite way to make charitable contribution as a gift is to buy a 'gift adoption' from one of these two charities -- Defenders Of Wildlife and Pasado's Safe Haven. The recipient will receive a color photo of the animal you "adopt" for them, a plush toy of the animal, and the animals story.

If you get a gift adoption through Pasado's, the recipient will even be able to visit the animal you "adopt" for them. Pretty cool! I am getting at least 6 adoptions for friends/family this year. I like to give them in addition to physical presents.
posted by alma at 3:24 PM on December 19, 2005

Millions of homeless people facing a cold winter? Looks like Mercy Corps is currently helping out in Pakistan, so seconding jlkr's suggestion.
posted by mumble at 3:41 PM on December 19, 2005

I've always been a fan of Heifer Project International.
posted by Johnny Assay at 3:42 PM on December 19, 2005

I'll second the Mercy Corps. Very cool org.
posted by shoepal at 3:45 PM on December 19, 2005

Doctors without Borders is a great organization that helps a lot of people through hands on work. And despite the "doctors" part, I think the money goes pretty far because they keep admin costs really low.
posted by krudiger at 3:48 PM on December 19, 2005

The EFF is always in need of funds, and is doing great work to safeguard your civil liberties and computing freedoms.
posted by Caviar at 5:50 PM on December 19, 2005

Look locally. There are great, well-run groups in your area that need support. Figure out what kind of cause you'd like to support and ask around/ google with your city's name in the query.
posted by lalalana at 7:30 PM on December 19, 2005

How about Modest Needs? They're a favorite charity in our household because the help people who are on the brink of poverty. Otherwise, I'd second Heifer International and Doctors without Borders
posted by darsh at 7:39 PM on December 19, 2005

Can someone answer a question about Heifer? I'm planning on donating to them based on one of the other threads, but one of the other threads had a comment about their fund management. I've also read a vegan screed against heifer for encouraging meat! Is Heifer all that or is it in bed with corporate agri-business? And if so, should I care?
posted by kensanway at 10:30 PM on December 19, 2005

Your local food bank can always use money. I always give money to the food bank first.
posted by faceonmars at 12:09 AM on December 20, 2005

Places where one's money can really make a difference?

Steven Landsburg thinks you should pick just one organisation to give money to, and I agree.
posted by martinrebas at 1:32 AM on December 20, 2005

For those of a more conservative or right-leaning disposition, Let's Bring 'Em Home reunites service personnel with their families over the holidays by paying for tickets for service people who have leave, but no money to get home.

This can make a difference - a friend had a visit last Christmas from her son, courtesy of LBEH, and he was killed a few months later in Iraq. It was a massive comfort to her that she was able to have that visit from him.

So if you know someone who wouldn't give to a homeless/Third World charity because it's too left-wing for their conservative sensibilities, steer them towards LBEH.
posted by essexjan at 1:37 AM on December 20, 2005

I give to Child's Play every year. Having known kids who had to sit through chemotherapy and such-like at the hospital, and being BORED OUT OF THEIR MINDS, it makes me feel a little better knowing that I've donated a copy of Katamari Damacy to occupy other kids during the horrible time they have to spend there.
posted by antifuse at 4:38 AM on December 20, 2005

I have a soft spot for Big Brothers Big Sisters.
posted by justonegirl at 5:20 AM on December 20, 2005

Calcutta Kids. Direct medical care for the children on the streets of Kolkata.
posted by Xurando at 5:27 AM on December 20, 2005

If you donate to multiple organizations, your name will be sold that many more times, and you will get that much more solicitation mail. Unless you need more address labels, it starts to feel pretty wasteful. I enjoyed this question; while it's been asked before, needs change, and there are great referrals here.
posted by theora55 at 6:31 AM on December 20, 2005

my donations go every year to: the Wilmer eye institute and the Red Cross of Greater Chicago (it makes a big difference to the RC whether you give to the national or the local, whether you give specific "Katrina!" or general fund donations; my RC contact tells me you do the most good helping RC meet its unfunded government mandate to provide essential social services at all times by giving unrestricted gifts locally).

this year, i've also given to Heifer and Habitat for Humanity on behalf of people who requested it.
posted by crush-onastick at 7:12 AM on December 20, 2005

I've mentioned them here a gazillion times, having just completed a semester with them (so apologies if this gets tiring) but Up With People provides an amazing opportunity for young adults to learn about world issues, cultures, community issues, performance skills, and loads of other things.

Their current format is different from the old musical days - it's more education-based. And they're good with transparency and such; we were kept updated about what was going on in the corporate side while we were on the program. The people are friendly and personable, perhaps too idealistic at times but they have a great vision.

Other orgs I'd suggest are Amnesty International and the Befrienders/Samaritans (or any other sort of crisis helpline).
posted by divabat at 5:17 AM on December 28, 2005