Charity where you can see the difference

[outdoorsnewzealand]

I'm looking for a charity where I can really see the difference that my donations make. I definitely think the donations I've made to various charities do make a difference, but I find it hard to donate meaningful amounts of money without more concrete evidence of the difference made.

Does any one else have this problem? What are some good charities that really show you where your money has gone?

[BrettAshlee]

I've participated several time in a process called Citizen's Review, which is done annually by the local United Way chapters - a fundraiser in the US that raises money through their local chapters for local community agencies. Once they have raised money, they hold a citizen review panel, in which members of the community can sit in, listen to each group present their case for how much money they want, and why they believe they should get the amount they are asking for. Each group usually breaks down all their costs, presents their plan for bettering the community with their cause/funding, and present success stories (often with first-hand testimony from those they've helped) and statistics from the previous year. The citizens on the panel then individually respond (on paper) as to what they feel the United Way should allocated to each particular agency. It's a way of holding the agencies accountable for donations they receive. It's always an incredible and moving experience, and a great way to learn about how local community agencies are impacting individual lives.

Not sure what similar opportunities are available in NZ, but having spent many years working for non-profits myself, I recommend getting involved with local charities rather than global ones if you really wish to see the impact your donations are making. It's easier to become involved, ask questions, and provide input. Participating in local citizen review panels has given me a new appreciation for many of the agencies and services that are making real differences for people in my own community.

[Apollia]

Originally Posted by outdoorsnewzealand

I'm looking for a charity where I can really see the difference that my donations make. I definitely think the donations I've made to various charities do make a difference, but I find it hard to donate meaningful amounts of money without more concrete evidence of the difference made.

I know the feeling. I especially don't usually trust non-profit organizations to be thrifty or wise about spending money.

Maybe help out relatives and friends? I've given to some organizations, but with them, I've never had much clue at all about the concrete effects of my contributions. Not so with my contributions to relatives and friends - especially since helping out the people I live with directly affects my own life in a tangible sense.

Giving to people you know also will most likely encourage them to help you back if you ever need it.

[outdoorsnewzealand]

Originally Posted by BrettAshlee

... I recommend getting involved with local charities rather than global ones if you really wish to see the impact your donations are making. ...

I have often thought of that and you've probably just given me the little push I needed to actually start doing something.

However the main problem with focussing locally is that the poverty just isn't as bad here as certain other countries - our social welfare system generally makes it easy to get a large enough benefit to live on. That's not to say there are no people here that could use some help but I just think there is a lot potential for positive effects on peoples life in other countries.

[Apollia]

Originally Posted by outdoorsnewzealand

That's not to say there are no people here that could use some help but I just think there is a lot potential for positive effects on peoples life in other countries.

Yes, I agree. The fact that you're in New Zealand reminds me, I actually once donated a small amount of money to a guy in New Zealand - I sent $5 USD, but because of the exchange rate, it became NZ $6.15, so it helped out a smidgen more than I thought it would.

Unfortunately, the U.S. dollar has been suffering from inflation so I'm not sure if that would happen anymore.

Oh, wait a minute, actually, judging by Currency Exchange Services | CurrencySource.com , $5 USD now equals $6.60 NZ, so maybe the New Zealand dollar is suffering from inflation even more than the USD. Wow, I didn't expect that.

Anyhow, though - because of that, I've long thought that if I ever get rich enough to be able to justify donating large amounts of money to people outside of my immediate circle, it might be neat to find a poor country to help which has a low cost of living, and a favorable exchange rate between my currency and theirs, so a dollar in my currency would convert to something that's a lot more significant in that country.

Not being wealthy, I haven't looked into charities to alleviate poverty in foreign countries very much, but I will say, if you're interested in helping poor people in other countries, I would _not_ recommend Kiva.org, and here's my explanation of why:

Why Kiva doesn't work for me

However, if they ever branched out into providing a means to give financial gifts to people instead of loans that have to be paid back, I would consider them a potentially plausible option. I haven't (yet) heard of Kiva wasting time and money on meetings at fancy resorts, unlike some non-profits.

Unfortunately, I don't yet know who I would recommend. I'll definitely become more informed if I ever get rich, though - or if I ever get back into being more active in charity-related stuff in general.

Good luck and best wishes,
Apollia

[outdoorsnewzealand]

Originally Posted by Apollia

...

Oh, wait a minute, actually, judging by Currency Exchange Services | CurrencySource.com , $5 USD now equals $6.60 NZ, so maybe the New Zealand dollar is suffering from inflation even more than the USD. Wow, I didn't expect that.

...

Yes inflation is cranking away fairly nicely here as well. I think there's more to currency ratios than relative inflation but I don't really understand that stuff to well.

[Apollia]

Yes inflation is cranking away fairly nicely here as well.

Darn. I wish there was some way to stop it.

I think there's more to currency ratios than relative inflation but I don't really understand that stuff to well.

Me neither, but I think you're probably right about that.

[Evan]

The best way is probably to try and find via the web those who are in touch with local situations. They will be able to tell you those who are making a difference.

There is an ex-pat African blogger now living in Australia, Mwangi, who blogs at The Displaced African. He'd probably be happy to direct you to some places if he doesn't know any personally.

[tomhop]

I'm looking for a charity where I can really see the difference that my donations make. I definitely think the donations I've made to various charities do make a difference, but I find it hard to donate meaningful amounts of money without more concrete evidence of the difference made.

Does any one else have this problem? What are some good charities that really show you where your money has gone?

I'm currently working with a charity that is doing precisely that: See the Difference - transforming charitable giving and would be very interested to know your views on that proposition.

[Brutha]

Yes inflation is cranking away fairly nicely here as well. I think there's more to currency ratios than relative inflation but I don't really understand that stuff to well.

Even when the US is responsible for the crisis it isn't the country that suffers most.
A lot of people around the world think that it's safer to have their money in the US during time of crisis.