Charity suggestions

Enrique · #1 03-26-2007, 01:27 PM

This last term I taught at an elementary school on some science project for 6 weeks. It was funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institure. Since I like doing this stuff as a volunteer, but I still got paid, I want to donate the money they paid me to a charity. I thought the Lounge could be a good place to find ideas.

The main candidate is Oxfam. Since I think they use most of the money for charity and not for administrative stuff (80% charity, 10% paying staff, 10% trying to get more money) and it also helps the people I want to help.

Please don't suggest money for diseases such as cancer. I think there is a lot of people already donating on that, and I don't think it helps as many people. I am more interested in stuff that helps feed more people, get more people healthy (on the basic stuff) and more people educated.

katyseagull · #2 03-26-2007, 01:29 PM

What is Oxfam? Never heard of it.

Enrique · #3 03-26-2007, 01:38 PM

Here is the link.

Super summary:
"The Oxfams operate in over 100 countries worldwide working with local partners to alleviate poverty and injustice."

A little more detailed:

"In all our actions Oxfam’s goal is to enable people to exercise their rights and manage their own lives. From long term program work and short term emergency relief to immediate campaign action, Oxfam believes in empowering people. Oxfam strives to work with local partners and takes a rights based approach to our development work.

On advocacy and campaigning for changes at the global and national level, the Oxfams link their work to practical changes at grassroots level. We are part of a global citizens movement campaigning on such issues as trade, arms and education."

katyseagull · #4 03-26-2007, 01:41 PM

Thanks for the link to Oxfam. Interesting.

I had an idea but I'm going to have to research it and get back to you later. It was something I saw on TV a few years ago about helping American Indian children who were desperately impoverished. Almost all the money went straight to them and their little school. I'll see if I can find it.

diebitter · #5 03-26-2007, 01:43 PM

Oxfam is an excellent choice.

I personally only donate regularly to those that help with child abuse and similar. That for me is the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), but that's a UK only thing, so maybe not?

adsman · #6 03-26-2007, 01:43 PM

Doctors without Borders, also known as medicos sans frontiers.

Enrique · #7 03-26-2007, 01:54 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Doctors without Borders, also known as medicos sans frontiers.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thanks for the link, that looks excellent too. Having a bigger chunk of the piece going to the services and doing exactly the type of thing I'd like to give charity to.

pryor15 · #8 03-26-2007, 02:25 PM

When i have spare cash floating around, i'll sometimes send it to the One Campaign or various Artists for Peace groups.

MrMon · #9 03-26-2007, 02:58 PM

I think ORBIS International is a pretty neat bunch. They have a flying eye hospital and they work with doctors all over the world to cure people of blindness.

ORBIS International

Fishwhenican · #10 03-26-2007, 03:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
Thanks for the link to Oxfam. Interesting.

I had an idea but I'm going to have to research it and get back to you later. It was something I saw on TV a few years ago about helping American Indian children who were desperately impoverished. Almost all the money went straight to them and their little school. I'll see if I can find it.

[/ QUOTE ]

Maybe St Labre Indian School?

St Labre Indian School is located on the eastern edge of the Northern Cheyenne Indian reservation in Ashland Montana. It was first started in 1884 and is still here working to provide a quality education to Native American children in SE Montana. They have K-8 schools located in Pryor Montana and St Xavier Montana (both on the Crow Reservation) as well as the Main campus and Pre-K through 12 school located in Ashland Montana. These are very poor reservations, no casino money or anything of the sort. This school and organization does outstanding work for the Native American communities on both the Northern Cheyenne and Crow reservations.

The organization exists almost solely on donations received from generous people all over the world. This organization provides an awful lot of services for the native american people in the area even above and beyond the education that is provided.

I am associated with this organization and would be happy to answer any questions anyone would have either via PM or in this thread. I believe this this to be a quality organization that does wonderful things and is very conscientious of the use of all money that is brought into the organization.