Looking for charity suggestions

None | 11/23/2005 | Yours Truly

[ChicagoHebrew]

I will be receiving my Christmas bonus in about two weeks. In keeping with the Jewish requirement of donating 10% of my income to charity, I'm now in the market for some good place to give to.

I'd like to give to a charity focusing on the truly poor -- those people unfortunate enough to live in destitute countries -- and one that focuses on developing poor economies (i.e. providing clean drinking water, educating people on modern farming methods, microcredit, fighting malaria with DDT) rather than simply giving handouts.

Note: I will not give to an organization that tries to promote Christianity (or Islam for that matter). I love and respect what good-hearted Christians can do, but as a Jew I simply will not aid Christian missionizing with my money.

Any suggestions?

[DTogo]

I love and respect what good-hearted Christians can do, but as a Jew I simply will not aid Christian missionizing with my money.

Without several countries made up of "good-hearted Christian" men and women fighting and dying by the tens of thousands 60 years ago, you and yours might not be here today.

Put that in you Menorah and light it.

[Dustbunny]

We only donate to two charities, The Salvation Army and The Mennonite Disaster Service. They are the only two that we know will actually use what we donate for those in need, not to pad the pockets of those 'running' the charity with huge salaries.

[SuziQ]

Don't know for sure if there's any "preaching" that goes with their relief work...buy it seems likely that there is.

I don't believe there is. They serve all God's people, without any pressure or proselytizing. That's why they were allowed to continue to work in Sri Lanka after some of the other Christian organizations were kicked out for trying to convert the locals.

[Syberyenta]

from their home page FYI:

http://www.jdc.org/index.html

JDC – A Lifeline to the Jewish World

Since 1914, the American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, Inc. (JDC) has served as the overseas arm of the American Jewish community. Our mission is to serve the needs of Jews throughout the world, particularly where their lives as Jews are threatened or made more difficult.

We sponsor programs of relief, rescue and renewal and help Israel address its most urgent social challenges. We are committed to the idea that all Jews are responsible for one another.

[M0sby]

Here's a Jewish One:
http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/6612.htm
The rating isn't as high...
But their mission is good.

Jewish Fund for Justice
Zero tolerance for poverty
New York, NY 10001

Mission:
"Founded in 1984, the Jewish Fund for Justice is the only national Jewish organizations solely committed to fighting the injustice of poverty in America. By assisting grassroots organizations of low-income people from all backgrounds and faiths struggling for decent housing, schools, healthcare and jobs and by educating Jews about poverty issues and the importance of developing community-based, social justice partnerships, the Jewish Fund for Justice brings to life the core Jewish values of tikkun olam (repair of the world) and tzedakah (righteous giving)."

[Syberyenta]

" Put that in your Menorah and light it."

LOL oh dear

[Alouette]

Plus, even in poor countries, the Jews tend to be relatively well-off.

Tell that to the homeless and destitute people who lost everything they had in Gush Katif / Hurricane Katrina.

[KDD]

http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

These guys could always use some help.

[CyberAnt]

How about some of the wounded soldier programs.

Sorry .. I don't have any names.

[jocon307]

You could give to Americares, I gave to them after the Tsunami, because I did not know if the Salvation Army had "boots on the ground" in that Muslim part of the world. They are definately non-sectarian, and they were excellent about not asking me for additional donations, I think I got one follow up, and it was not a blatant solicitation.

However, they are a disaster relief outfit, and it seems like you are looking for a long term, non-disaster type organization. There's OXFAM, of course, they are probably pretty lefty, but I never heard anything bad about them. They fight hunger, and they are British, but I'm sure they've gotta a way to accept donations from the US. There's also doctors without borders, I think they are pretty ok too, although I guess the original group was French. And I guess if you wanted to stay with an American based org. there's Habitat for Humanity, don't hold Carter against them!

[azhenfud]

I'm a good non-profit candidate...;-)

[azhenfud]

BTTT

Hospice is a great org.

[reluctantwarrior]

Heifer International

[Ciexyz]

I recommended "hospice care" as a charity choice because family members of mine have benefitted from hospice care, which is provided to terminally ill patients. They also help the family with medications, which can be extremely expensive even for families with health insurance.

[Taxman]

Salvation Army.

Best ratio of overhead to good works in the industry -- 15% overhead, 85% for good works.

[Bloody Sam Roberts]

I cannot recommend this website strongly enough:

Any Soldier.com

Want to send your support to a Soldier in harm's way, but have no idea of what to send, who to send it to, or how to send it? This site has it all.

Mrs. B.S. Roberts and I just sent two huge packages overseas. One for the male Marines (A CH-53E helicopter squadron in Irag) and one for the female Marines.

There are tons of soldiers who apply to this site and will tell you what they need and exactly where to send it.

I like to know where my charitable donations are going and that they are being put to good use and are appreciated. These troops need us to let them know they are in our hearts and prayers.

Yasher koach!

[investigateworld]

I have worked a number of 'charity fraud' cases, thus I know some of what goes on.
Still Salvation Army is tops in my book for bang for the buck.
If time permits, try to be creative. Such as hiring a professional first class barber to give free hair cuts at the Rescue Mission. Sometime a guy who feels good about his appearance, will get the job that breaks the cycle.

[stainlessbanner]

You'll be celebrating Jesus and Christianity plenty when you recieve that CHRISTmas bonus check.

[Heatseeker]

I agree with Syberyenta about JDC but I some Googling also turned up another possibility - the American Jewish World Service.

Their mission statement: "AJWS is an independent not-for-profit organization founded in 1985 to help alleviate poverty, hunger and disease among the people of the world regardless of race, religion or nationality. It breathes life into Judaism's imperative to pursue justice and helps American Jews act upon a deeply felt obligation to improve the chances for survival, economic independence and human dignity for all people."

[ChicagoHebrew]

You'll be celebrating Jesus and Christianity plenty when you recieve that CHRISTmas bonus check.

For the record, my company calls it an "end of year supplemental compensation package," not a Christmas bonus (always politically correct). I recognize it for how the concept originated. As it is today, the bonus is an expected part of my pay and totally without religious conotation.