Favorite Charities

[Mitch f]

Just wanted ask your thoughts about which charities are your favorites? I've always given to Danny Thomas Children's hospital, but I would like a couple more respected charities to assist. I would like some with a good reputation obviously.

[GloryDaze]

Mitch- just go to Charity Navigator and it will help you out. One statistic I think is way overrated is the % of money spent on programs. 

Here is my opinion- I don't care if 100% of the money goes to programs if it does not produce any measurable results in a positive direction. Anybody can spend money, but can they do it by having a positive impact on the desired metrics?

I would rather have 50% of my money spent on programs, but have the non profit produce measurable positive results to their intended purpose.

Anyway, just my .02 cents- there are many great non profits out there. I would suggest picking one you have a passion for and ensure they produce positive measurable results towards their intended mission. 

[Gavin]

Prefer to donate locally. Plenty of them out there. Easy to check out their 990 status on the IRS website.

[Phil Lilley]

Christian Action Ministries here in Branson and Forsyth.  Food pantry providing food to 1700 families monthly, plus some rent/utility assistance.  

Samaritan's Purse.

[BilletHead]

     Mitch,

    As Gavin stated look for something local. Here is a prime example. When the Mrs. Had her bump in life with her cancer we got a 25 dollar gas card from the American Cancer society. In no way bashing them at all as I know a bunch of bucks go to research and in large programs like this there is administrative costs. Vernon County where we live has a cancer relief fund and it is run by non paid volunteers. A local bank has the account. When someone found out the Mrs. they contacted us wanting to help. We declined and then we got approached with a five hundred dollar check for anything we needed it for. We did use it for gas on our 38 two hundred mile daily round trips to Springfield for radiation treatments. When that was over we paid that back and then some.  Run all by fundraisers and private donations.

BilletHead

[Phil Lilley]

Give cash directly to someone you know needs it... and do it without anyone knowing it.

[snagged in outlet 3]

If you don't know which charity to give to, spread it around to several that interest you.  Then see what happens and maybe you end up liking one over another or maybe you keep spreading it around.  

[Mitch f]

1 hour ago, BilletHead said:

     Mitch,

    As Gavin stated look for something local. Here is a prime example. When the Mrs. Had her bump in life with her cancer we got a 25 dollar gas card from the American Cancer society. In no way bashing them at all as I know a bunch of bucks go to research and in large programs like this there is administrative costs. Vernon County where we live has a cancer relief fund and it is run by non paid volunteers. A local bank has the account. When someone found out the Mrs. they contacted us wanting to help. We declined and then we got approached with a five hundred dollar check for anything we needed it for. We did use it for gas on our 38 two hundred mile daily round trips to Springfield for radiation treatments. When that was over we paid that back and then some.  Run all by fundraisers and private donations.

BilletHead

Thank you, this is great advice

[Mitch f]

I didn't post this to make me appear I was giving for everyone to see. But I've always hated to see some charity exposed that their leader makes 500K per year with your contributions. Grinds my gears

[snagged in outlet 3]

I didn't think you were Mitch.  I know what you mean though.  We gave to a couple college girls that were planning a mission trip to Africa.  They never went and I don't want to ask what's up.