Which organizations do you give to?

[jsmoriss]

I give to Medecins Sans Frontieres (aka Doctors Without Borders) on a monthly basis. I'd like to contribute further to an organization that's more animal oriented -- not too hard-core though, just an organization looking to improve animal's lives and help protect nature, etc. Something global would be nice, and tax deductible in Canada is a nice bonus too (allows me to give more).

Any ideas?

Thanks,
js.

 

[laurie-the-lorry]

Hi JS,

I work in the NGO sector, and have a few of my favorite animal related charities, however I believe it is personal preference as to where you contribute your hard gotten $.

A good resourse to guide you along would be http://www.idealist.org/ this will guide you into the relevant field of interest and give an insight into the concerns overheads etc..
Although you are not always comparing apples to apples so dont rely on the finacials totaly.

I have a friend who runs a concern in India, looking after Donkey's and neutering dogs. I can vouch for his work but am unsure of his tax status. I will pm a web address when I find it!

 

[jsmoriss]

A good resourse to guide you along would be http://www.idealist.org/ this will guide you into the relevant field of interest and give an insight into the concerns overheads etc..

Thanks - I found and donated to the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada.

While I was in a giving mood, I also sent a few bucks to Ducks Unlimited Canada. I have a Chessie, so thought this would be appropriate.

js.

 

[DesertRose]

I also work in the NGO world, and would encourage you to look for organizations that have a regional focus in areas you care about . . . and skip the ones with big headquarters buildings in major capitols or cities like Washington, D.C., or Geneva. The bigger the NGO (the big ones are known not kindly as BINGOs) the more money they suck up for just keeping their offices running and their fancy vehicles going. The ones that drive me personally crazy generally are known by 3-letter acronyms.

I am, however, unashamedly biased toward organizations that support community-based conservation!

I don't know a lot about Canadian organizations . . . I have a good friend in B.C. who works in the field and will ask him.

 

[laurie-the-lorry]

In reponse to DesetRose's post

I guess you are referring to WFP $ WVI. maybe!

I have worked alongside both these organizations in the field, and in someway agree with your comments in that they are large lumbering bureaucratic bodies!

However I firmly believe the world needs these organizations, and most of the employees in the field are fine people. They still demand some respect and acknowledgment for their sterling work!

I have also Country Directed two smaller organizations in both Asia and Africa. Again the smaller organizations are also very worthwhile. However in my opinion there are far too many smaller NGO's operating and fighting for the same business. Like people their ego's tend to get in the way a little! And maybe a slimming down of an inappropriate number would make the for more medium sized entities that are more productive.

Just my thought's, and in no way meant to cause any offense .

 

[Carlyle]

Check out the following website: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm

They list who is good and who is not.

Hope this helps.

 

[Carlyle]

Addendum, we give to the Red Cross and Nature Conservatory if that helps.

 

[awalter]

So enlighten me, what does NGO stand for.

 

[mountainpete]

So enlighten me, what does NGO stand for.

Non-governmental organization. It is a legal, constitutionally created entity that can get money from a government (think grants) but cannot have representation or participation by a government.

 

[laurie-the-lorry]

You also may come across CBO's Community based organizations, or FBO's Faith based organizations.

All of them effectively operate as charitable organizations, normally in the USA operating as 501 C3 entities enabling tax breaks for both the entity and the donor to get a tax break. But not always so do your own due diligence.

I often take a peak at Charity navigator, and Idealist to see how some of the organizations compare, but it is not a scientific tool by any stretch of the imagination. There are a myriad of organizations out there, and some will always have higher operating expenditure than others depending on the work they do. $100 may teach a hundred children for a week in India, but the same $100 will only go a little way towards treating a child with cancer just up the street in the same town.

So whilst I think charity-navigator and Idealist are good sites you cannot always try and do comparisons "Apples for apples". Each organization has its own Idiosyncrasies and operating hurdles to overcome

 

[gypsydebs]

Hi JS

Have a look at the David Sheldrick Foundation here in Kenya (I think they also have contacts in the US). They run an elephant and rhino orphanage; lost little tackers are rescued, raised by humans but taught life skills before eventually released back into the wild. You can sponsor a young orphaned elephant or rhino, they send you progress reports and if you ever come out to Kenya you can arrange a private visit to check out how he/she is getting on.

A fantastic project which is very expensive to keep going (the baby formula is imported from England!!).

At least you will know your hard earned money is going to a great cause that really makes a huge difference to the lives of orphaned ellies and rhino who would otherwise perish.

I don't have the web address handy but I am sure a google search will come up with results.

cheers
Debs

 

[6Pins]

I give to Medicines Sans Frontieres, Project Hope (b/c they are local to me), Nothing but Nets, and I do lots of volunteer work with Guiding Eyes for the Blind.

 

[Co-opski]

I have a few NGOs that I hold dear. First I give every Saturday in the ski season to “Challenge Alaska”. We get disabled folks the gear they need to ski and snowboard with training if they want. I have made many friends that share my love for snow.

I also give time and money to the “Friends of the Chugach National Forest Avalanche Information Center”. They give daily reports and they have built many weather stations to help with forecasts.

My Big NGO is TU (Trout Unlimited).

I have a rescued dog that came from “All Saints- St. Bernard Rescue” and she had a very hard first four years of her life with some time and love she has turned into a very good dog.

 

[cruiser guy]

However in my opinion there are far too many smaller NGO's operating and fighting for the same business. Like people their ego's tend to get in the way a little! And maybe a slimming down of an inappropriate number would make the for more medium sized entities that are more productive.

I would agree with this statement. Sometimes small is good as people are not just numbers but other times well meaning groups decide to do something and you have 10-20 groups serving one area/need and no one serving the area/need just down the road (usually because the first area/need is well known and in the news and the second area/need is not).

 

[762X39]

I support the CSSA (Canadian Shooting Sports Association) and through them the Canadian Institute for Legislative Action with a cheque every 3 months or so.I don't get a tax receipt and I am fine with that.I served my country and feel it is important to preserve the rights and priveledges I was willing to go to the mat for even if it is not politically correct to do so.