How much do you donate each year?

[9gods]

Andrew,
You are right that personal commitment is very precious.
However some people can do things better than us. I can not be volunteer in Africa for example, but I can support organisations who can do a lot of good and they know exactly what is needed to acheive that.

Both actions are good: volunteering and giving money. Let us all help the way we can. It's spirit of sharing that counts.

[Wanderer]

Not as much as I should
But I do do some charity work for my church (teas and coffees after mass etc.)
And also some extra stuff for college

[Nneka]

Currently 10% of offline income to church.

[RandomGuy101]

"Thinking of his joy in owning the car and the financial security it represents, Bob decides not to throw the switch. The child is killed. For many years to come, Bob enjoys owning his Bugatti and the financial security it represents."

Perhaps not throwing the switch would have been the correct move if Bob had then sold the Bugatti and used the money to save thousands of other children's lives?

[Michelle]

Why not give to Oprah's Angel Network? She documents very very well what the money is used for. I trust her, and admire her work both in the US and abroad.

Or if you want to do some "direct" donation and don't know how - why not be an angel to a student who is struggling? Think of whom you would like to support - a future doctor, a musician, an artist, etc ... go to your local university, conservatory, art school, etc and observe the students, watch concerts, go to exhibitions. Make your choice privately. There are ways to cut out the middle man.

Important in donation is to realize, once the money is given your stake in it is gone. A gift should not be made with strings attached. The best you can do is choose wisely, hope for the best, but let is go once the money is given. You always can choose to give or not give again to a certain cause if you are not pleased with the result.

[Natsu]

Originally Posted by belugagirl

The subject of donating money often makes me anxious in the same way being asked for money by a panhandler does. It's not at all that I don't want to part with the money. I'd be glad to part with a portion of my money if it was actually doing what the solicitor purported it would be doing. But I'm jaded about that. I fear that so much of donated money goes to overhead and/or skimming, that I just don't know who to trust much of the time.

Many, many people think like you. Specially in my country, where we are used to corruption of all scales. So, it's normal. I'd rather give 50 euros to a trustworthy charity than be duped of 50 cents by a fraud. Those fifty cents would hurt far more. At least you worry about local needs and try to fix them. They say charity begins at home. What I don't like is the lame excuse of "I don't trust anyone, so I don't give". If you don't trust anyone, find someone you trust and needs help. There's always someone or something in need nearby.

Originally Posted by belugagirl

We don't have a LOT of money to spare, and I consider some of our purchases giving money to causes. I shop at a local food coop, and I consider money spent on organic foods, natural cleaners, recycled goods one way of "donating" in a sense. If I can help ethical businesses with environmentally and socially sound practices by buying their products, I'm helping them compete with all of the corporate polluters out there that environmental organizations need donations to help clean up after/ pressure politicians to hold accountable. Maybe that's my way of participating. Or maybe that's my justification to my conscience. Not sure.

Like it's not a great contribution to buy fair trade and organic. I honestly don't buy fair trade or organic because I don't have money enough: my budget would go in a week if I was to buy those stuff. But, if you think about it, organic food and fair trade are a great way of donating. First of all, you are LOSING money, since all those items are far more expensive than their mass-market counterparts. Well, in organic food, you are winning quality, but in fair trade clothing and other items, you are losing it, and sometimes you can find far prettier stuff somewhere else. For less money. BUT, with fair trade, you are "teaching to fish", instead of "giving a fish". So I think you are doing a very good work on that. If everyone asked for fair trade and organics, how much better the world would be? Don't think so bad of yourself: fair trade is one of the best ways of donating money. And I know, because I don't buy fair trade simply because I can't afford most of the items yet. What you are paying in excess is what you are donating as honest salaries to honest-working families, so they won't be exploited. It is very good of you. I hope I can afford fair trade and organic food some day, but so far they are delicacies I can't normally buy.

[alexander.kharlamov]

For those of you that feel like you don't want to donate because you can't be sure whether your money is actually helping anyone or going to some rich person's pocket: I used to think just like that, and I believe I found the solution.

At World Vision, you can "sponsor a child" in a developing country. What that means is you'll be giving a fixed amount every month, as low as $30, and the majority of that money will go to help pay for healthcare and education of one child from a developing country, that's probably not going to get those things otherwise.

You get to select the child, the country, and pretty much everything. You can track the child's progress and exchange letters. You actually feel like you're making a difference in this person's life, and it feels just completely awesome.

So, check them out!

[Vanessa]

Originally Posted by Andrew Brunelle

I help people who need it and that's that. Don't get so obsessed with dollar amounts. Giving time is ten to one hundred times more valuable than money. Money is easy. Send a check. Actually volunteering is very challenging. So that's my take on donating.

I give about 3% of my income to charities/non-profits. I donate physical items as needed. When I was younger (had less money and more time) I donated my time and volunteered for different orgs. Now, my time is more valuable and I give more dollars --so that's what I do. Time and money both help in different ways. One isn't better than the other and one isn't easier than the other.

As to what specifics the money is used for, I don't need to give approval for anything past the idea behind the charity. I just have to put it out there. The act of contributing is a rewarding habit. Until I'm setting up my own foundation or internship program for a cause I am very happy to financially contribute to others with their dream for making the world better.

And Kiva kicks major microfinancing butt. It will completely change how developing countries get cashflow --directly from individuals. Transparency in finance is a great social entrepreneurial trend.

[Gene]

I offer pro bono professional service to people and charitable organizations. I give my time and services because it is more personal to me and I am able to see outcomes.

I give to disaster relief such as the hurricane relief fund for the big one in New Orleans.

Gene

[Brendon Colby]

I decided to start donating this month as well. I can't believe I never have...I have more than enough for myself. I also made a Christmas budget this year, but instead of buying my siblings, parents, etc. more stuff that they don't need, I think I'm going to give it to various organizations in their honor. I may become "that guy" in the family, but I think it's worth it.

[RandomGuy101]

I am gonna start donating 10% of my post tax income in January 2007. I am thinking of giving all the money to The Smile Train: The World's Leading Cleft Charity.

Has anyone ever donated to this charity? Any comments?

[Doku]

I generally donate about 10k per year.
1k to my wife's church.
4k split among the local volunteer fire department, American Heart Association, and American Lung association.
A friend of mine was recently diagnosed with cancer, so I am still donating to the same charities because I can't STAND people who don't give one thin dime until they have a problem themselves. ie: Michael J. Fox, Christopher Reeves, etc. If you want to give to charity, then do so because you want to, not for personal gain.
The other 5k goes to helping out friends and family.