Favorite Charities?

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mr1precision
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Post by mr1precision » Fri. Dec. 18, 2009 10:09 pm

Around the holidays people tend to think about giving to charity more than usual. We regularly donate to the food pantry. But, I most enjoy giving to the Shriners hospital best. The best donation we ever made was our old minivan. We were going to trade it in and probably wouldnt have gotten squat for it anyway. Everytime I see my shriner friends I get an update on what the van was used for and who it helped. What a great organization! :)
What's your favorite charity?

 
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Post by jim d » Fri. Dec. 18, 2009 10:51 pm

the jimmy fund

 
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Black_And_Blue
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Post by Black_And_Blue » Fri. Dec. 18, 2009 11:24 pm



 
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topper
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Post by topper » Sat. Dec. 19, 2009 5:24 am

The Childrens Fund - once known as the Christian Childrens Fund - sponsored a child in Ethiopia for about 8 years now.

http://childrensfund.net/

 
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Richard S.
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Post by Richard S. » Sat. Dec. 19, 2009 5:30 am

I don't have any specific one but I'll donate to small local causes. This is good one:

http://www.valleywithaheart.com/index.html

 
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Post by Freddy » Sat. Dec. 19, 2009 6:12 am

Of course the local food pantry get's a spare $20 now & then, but my Favorite is "Food for The Poor". (foodforthepoor.org) They do a super job at not wasting money. Less than 4% goes to administration. Any charity that spends less than 10% for office work is doing something right. All charities must tell you if you ask. Some spend almost 50% on staff! On top of our child in Guatemala, we do something around Christmas each year, buy a bunch of chickens, or a pig. If you donate once, they do pester you with mail every few months, but it's all within that 4%.


 
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ceccil
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Post by ceccil » Sat. Dec. 19, 2009 7:08 am

Ours is the Atctic League. It is a local charity that takes donations throughout the year. It then uses the donations to buy toys, clothes, etc. and gives them to children in need on Christmas morning that otherwise wouldn't have much of a Christmas.

Jeff

http://www.shs58.org/arctic-league.html

http://www.the-leader.com/news/x967382571/Arctic- ... beats-goal

 
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009to090
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Post by 009to090 » Sat. Dec. 19, 2009 10:18 am

We have always given to the American Cancer Society, churches, and local organizations, and volunteer Fire Dept & FirstAid Squad.
Since I have been unemployed for the past 15 months, this year the tides were turned, and we have received food, gift cards, and Christmas toys for the kids, from local churches and "food pantry" style orgs.
Thank you to all who donate to these orgs.

 
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Post by Yanche » Sat. Dec. 19, 2009 10:52 am

Selecting a charity is difficult to do. All have worthy goals, but it's hard to decide which ones are using their donations wisely. I've got considerable experience with all the legal aspects of creating a 501(c)(3) non-profit. I created one for my Lions Club. The premier web site for information about non-profits is http://www.guidestar.org/ It lists the IRS 990 forms all non-profits must file each year with the IRS.

For choosing a charity check out their guidelines:

http://www2.guidestar.org/rxg/give-to-charity/index.aspx

 
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spc
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Post by spc » Sun. Dec. 20, 2009 9:29 am

Here is a web site that rates charities. Grades are based mostly on the charities' fund raising costs and the percentage of money raised that is spent on charitable activities.

http://www.charitywatch.org/toprated.html

Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund is a good one:

http://www.fallenheroesfund.org/

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