[Natsu]

Originally Posted by Zach

Natsu, it doesn't matter how much you give, it's the spirit in which you give it. Don't feel bad.

Thanks, Zach. Though there were times when I had some spare money and just bought lame stuff instead of donating. But I'd rather give little and monthly, than huge sums every now and then. I think it's the steadyness that works. I've always wanted to "apadrinar" (means to "become godmother") of a third world child. I've read those programmes work very well, and that you really make a difference in the life of the child.

Originally Posted by Stephen

I donate about USD $30 per month to UNICEF as a global parent.

I know its not much but I think that if everyone on an income in western society were to donate $30 per month, the world would be a much better place today!

You can be assured of that. Recently, a group of "apadrinados", that is, boys and girls who had been "godfathered" by Spanish people, came to Spain to talk about the influence of their Godparents in their lives. They all had been able to go to school (big stuff), and they had finished superior education. That way, all of them were ready and eager to go back to Ecuador to teach other children from rural areas. Godparenting means that you teach a child how to fish: I think it's one of the best charity investments that exist.

Originally Posted by M13

For some time I was giving to organizations that made donating convenient. They would send nice letters and always provide a tax receipt. After some time I realized most of that money was going to the business that was sending the letters, not the firefighters, nor the police officers. Lesson Learned.

What you do is very important, as worrying about where you put your money is just as good as putting the money. Throwing your money away won't help. Some people give blindly thinking that the money will magically allocate itself where it is most needed. Some others never give because they don't trust the charities involved, and think someone may rob the money. Both are skipping their homework and doing the work they should do to find out which charities are trustworthy. And, if no charity was ever trustworthy, there would always be someone in need nearby:

Originally Posted by SenorKaffee

I´m currently not donating. There is something much closer where I can make a difference.

I´m saving 50€ each month so a friend of mine can get a drivers license somewhen. I recently asked other friends to take part in this project, so I hope we will have enough money at her next birthday.

That may sound small, but because of her circumstances she could never afford that on her own and it will mean very much to her.

That is great, and is a form of donating. You will not save the world if you can't help your neighbours. I have a friend in the USA who doesn't have a medical insurance and can't get a job. If I had money at all, I think spending it in a good insurance for her would be a good charity, too. Worrying about your neighbour is also good. And, I bet your friend will be able to find a job much more easily with her license.

I see people donate very differently, but in a very useful way. I'm getting very good ideas. Hope some day I'll be able to use them