I've decided I'd like to start giving to various charities on a regular basis, so I'm looking for ideas on where to donate some $. I've donated to large organizations like Red Cross before, but I sorta don't like that my money just disappears into a huge bureaucracy without much of it doing any good.

I found one place that appealed to me so far...it's an orphanage in Tanzania that my g/f helped out at a few months ago. No overhead losses at all. http://www.theolivebranchforchildren.org/

Ideally I'd like to keep things in the US, but I must admit the appeal of sending money somewhere that $100 can really make a difference. Here in the States that doesn't get you far, but in Africa it goes a long way.

So anyway, what are some other options? Post away, and who knows, maybe the rest of the s2ki community will chip in as well .

 

Check out World Vision. They are an incredible organization.

 

Humane society.
Make a Wish foundation.

 

Alex's Lemonade Stand. Phenomenal charity and a touching story behind it.

Alex's Lemonade Stand

 

A good friend and business partner of mine is a director of an orphanage in Uganda: Welcome Home Africa. It's another one where a $100 donation makes a lot more than $100 of difference.

 

UNICEF are known to put the money where it matters.

I also like what Easter Seals do, and that money stays in the US as far as I know.

I've met Wintley Phipps, who set up the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc

http://www.usdreamacademy.org/

http://www.oprah.com/uyl/angel/uyl_angel_20010611.jhtml

"In 1998, Phipps founded and created the U.S. Dream Academy, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to providing a values-based, interactive, tutorial and remedial education program targeted at children and youth-at-risk through community Family Learning Centers located in various states. Seeing a need, Phipps wanted something to help break the cycle he saw played out so many times in his own family. Wintley formed the U.S. Dream Academy to help children who've had a family member behind bars. The program provides mentoring, academic tutoring, and exposure to computers and the Internet. Wintley says, "Just the computers themselves are not going to transform the lives of these kids," and "The most important part of our program is really the caring, loving adults who surround them."
Favorite Hymns of Billy Graham, 2005
Favorite Hymns of Billy Graham, 2005

The academy has garnered recognition from Oprah Winfrey and former President Bill Clinton.[1]

[edit] Awards

* Oprah's Angel Network $100,000 Use Your Life Award.
* Grammy Award Nominations in 1988 and 1989
* 2005 MMP Fall Leadership, $100,000"

 

I suggest volunteering your time instead of giving money. You'll see the result of your work - much more satisfying.

 

If you are an animal lover, this is a good place to start.

http://www.angelsgate.org/

 

Operation Smile

 

you can just give it to me to help me in restoring my 1966 El Camino...