Charitable Contributions - to whom now?

[_Inconceivable]

I do not suffer the 10% protection money I used to faithfully send to the church. It never dawned on me that even teaching this concept on my mission this money was primarilly blown to build and maintain "chapels, temples and schools" - mainly edifices erected for those that already had a roof over their head and food to eat.

Peeling off such a swath of my treasure made it very difficult to alocate time or money for those that really needed me. At times I came off as being "cheap" because there was literally nothing left at the end of the month. Shame on the Mormon church for deluding me into thinking that air conditioners and comfortable chairs took precidence over even one sick or starving child.

so enough whining...

Although I've spent the last few years only donating to the "Church Humanitarian Fund" (ie. maybe the Red Cross), what organizations are you familiar with that have the integrity and honor to disclose their expenditures?

I am a firm believer that even though I have little excess, I have plenty to share with those that need primary care such as food, clothing and shelter. It just pleases and settles me to know that someone out there is receiving love in the form of a blanket or a loaf of bread.

World Vision, Feed the Children and even the Red Cross appear to be effective organizantions for calling down blessings for those in need. Has anyone had experience with these or others that you might recommend?

[_keene]

I've always been of the opinion that charities are a good concept in theory, but not in practice. Far too much of the money goes towards administrative costs, and little to any actual work. I believe a greater concept is to fund businesses that can release products or technology that will actually lead to real help. Businesses tend to be wiser about where the money goes.

That being said, there was a website I found at one point (I just did a quick google search and couldn't find it) where you could loan your money to entrepeneurs in third world countries. They would pay this loan back at very low interest -- 1-2%. The interest paid administrative costs, and you got your money back after a few years. I'll be looking for the site again, as I truly belive it's the best possible kind of charity there is -- each cent will work towards creating more wealth and prosperity, and can be used again and again.

You could always try and do something similar at www.prosper.com -- although that's America only, and given american standards on credit, it's a very risky proposal. There's a very high chance that it will end up as charity, anyway.

[_The Nehor]

Jesus insists that contributions are too low:

http://www.theonion.com/content/node/29932

[_CaliforniaKid]

World Vision seems to be a really solid organization that has done a lot of good. And with the sponsor a child program, you can see the difference you're making by means of correspondence with the child, which is cool.

[_Who Knows]

Last year was the first year I didn't pay tithing. Here's what I've done, and will probably keep doing:

- Saved more for retirement (401k, ira, etc.). I would like to retire early, and spend my time doing some sort of charitable work. See warren buffet for an example of what can be done by not just simply giving your money away to charity every year.
- Contributed a nice chunk of change to primary children's hospital & ronald mcdonald houses. (our first baby spent 2 weeks there, and i am eternally grateful for their services).
- Give more to 'one-time' disasters (ie., katrina, the tsunami, etc.) throughout the year.
- Save more for kids education. This, hopefully, will be my own sort of 'snowball effect' for good.

There's lots of things you can do. But remember, you don't just have to give away your money. There are lots of other ways you can benefit mankind - keeping your money, growing it, living frugally, etc. - being one of them.

[_Yoda]

Last year was the first year I didn't pay tithing. Here's what I've done, and will probably keep doing:

- Saved more for retirement (401k, ira, etc.). I would like to retire early, and spend my time doing some sort of charitable work. See warren buffet for an example of what can be done by not just simply giving your money away to charity every year.
- Contributed a nice chunk of change to primary children's hospital & ronald mcdonald houses. (our first baby spent 2 weeks there, and I am eternally grateful for their services).
- Give more to 'one-time' disasters (ie., katrina, the tsunami, etc.) throughout the year.
- Save more for kids education. This, hopefully, will be my own sort of 'snowball effect' for good.

There's lots of things you can do. But remember, you don't just have to give away your money. There are lots of other ways you can benefit mankind - keeping your money, growing it, living frugally, etc. - being one of them.

Wise words from our resident accountant!

;)

[_Inconceivable]

Thanks Who Knows,

I agree with you right down to the time and money. It's refressingly liberating isn't it?

Yes, last year was the last time for me as well to render to the church what they considered an entitlement. The allusion that the 10% was actually doing great things for others faded long ago though we continued to pay out of faithfulness, covenant and duty.

My wife and I both agreed years ago that something was disturbingly wrong with diverting such sacred funds to the "Latter Day Great and Spacious Buildings" program.

Yet we paid faithfully believing that the stewards of such programs would someday be held accountable for their neglect of those whose lives that could have been preserved. I don't really care what happens to them. I'm just glad I don't feel obligated to trust a suit anymore.

[_charity]

Your desire to give money where it will really be used well is admirable. But misplaced. It is easy to find out the perecentage of collected funds that goes to the actual work.

charitynavigator.org gives lists of how charities are doing. The best you can find operate on about a 30% overhead. They spend 30 cents of every dollar you give in administration and fund raising costs. Others are much worse. Rondald McDonald House of Arizona spends only 10% of the money it raises on the House.

Also beware of donating to agencies which work in response to specific disasters? Haven't you read about the really horrible mismanagement of funds that were collected for Katrina? Some estimates are that over $1 billion was mismanaged.

If you want to be of real use in some disaster, save your money in your own personal disaster relief fund, and when something bad happens, buy a plane ticket to go there and get your hands dirty helping out.

[_Who Knows]

Your desire to give money where it will really be used well is admirable. But misplaced.

Why is it misplaced?

It is easy to find out the perecentage of collected funds that goes to the actual work.

Ah, yes, it is easy. Unfortunately, you can't do the same for your donations to the LDS church.

charitynavigator.org gives lists of how charities are doing.

Yes, that's a good site to go to.

The best you can find operate on about a 30% overhead. They spend 30 cents of every dollar you give in administration and fund raising costs. Others are much worse.

It takes $$ to run a charity. I think we all know this. You need employees. You need a controller. You need insurance. You need facilities. You need an attorney. You need a CEO type. You need an auditor.

What is your point with this statement? Even the LDS church has all of this stuff.

I think the main issue is deciding whether this 'overhead' is excessive. And that's where disclosure & transparency comes into play.

Rondald McDonald House of Arizona spends only 10% of the money it raises on the House.

CFR please. Additionally, you might want to check their history - ie., what have they done over the course of the last few years. Was the current year abnormally high for donations? If so, it would be unfair to compare current year expenditures with current year donations. Typically, budgets work 1 to 3 years out.

Also, you want to check what they're doing with their excess funds. Are they spending them frivolously (un-needed expenditures, etc.) or are they investing them (saving them for future years)?

Also beware of donating to agencies which work in response to specific disasters? Haven't you read about the really horrible mismanagement of funds that were collected for Katrina? Some estimates are that over $1 billion was mismanaged.

This is where full disclosure and transparency come into play. You shouldn't be arguing against donating to these causes. Rather, you should be arguing for greater transparency of the agencies that collect and distribute these funds. Additionally, some greater due diligence on the part of the donors, is always wise - you want to make sure that you're getting the most bang for your buck with your donation.

If you want to be of real use in some disaster, save your money in your own personal disaster relief fund, and when something bad happens, buy a plane ticket to go there and get your hands dirty helping out.

I'm not sure that's the most efficient use of someone's time and resources, but it is a good suggestion - when it makes the most economic sense.

[_Inconceivable]

Thanks Charity,

I'll check out the website.

The fact that many have tremendous overhead troubles me as well. I'm looking for efficiency so the website will help.

Your desire to give money where it will really be used well is admirable. But misplaced. .

I strongly disagree. Some people are greedy, others just need to make a living while they perform critical roles in relief organizations. That's life. There are many aspects of relief where I don't have a problem donating a portion for overhead.

I get the impression that if you (Charity) are unable to be right in the middle of a disaster, you'll just sit on your hands and do nothing. I can't imagine that's what you're saying. It just comes off as self absorbed and overly cynical. You might want to edit some stuff.

Let me rephrase my question:

Anyone here have experience with any of these organizations? Organizations that are up to the scrutiny of FULL DISCLOSURE?