[serious] Charity thread

[Heraclitus]

To which charity do you donate? Post links to charities you have personally donated to and think are worthwhile. A short message explaining why you feel so is welcomed too.


Let's hope as many of us as possible find a charity they feel like donating to here.



Edit:
I've untill now donated around 500EUR to various charities that help or try to help drug addicts or help fighting the spread of drug addiction. I felt like doing something to fight this after hearing around a year ago from a mutual accuaintance that an old childhood friend (& crush) died of an overdose.

[BeBMan]

https://www.helpthebebro.org

[KrazyHorse]

https://www.ustreas.gov

[Bugs ****ing Bunny]

Amnesty International- http://www.amnesty.org.uk/

Because I'm more concerned about human beings than fluffy wickle bunny rabbits.

[Ecofarm]

We should try to give time, not money. I give to the development of agriculture in rural Africa, but I get more in return.

I believe in addressing the source, not the symptom. Diet is a source.


I believe in the Neo-Exodus (tm), the movement of educated 1st worlders to the 3rd, to end world poverty. Only when we move there and make those problems our own will things change; we must reverse the brain drain. Sending good money after bad is not getting us anywhere.

[MOBIUS]

http://www.woodlandtrust.org.uk/en/Pages/default.aspx

Whereas I'm less concerned about human beings than fluffy wickle bunny rabbits.

[Jon Miller]

I have donated to:

American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
ADRA http://www.adra.org/site/PageServer
SDA church (various) + a small amount to other denominational churches.

A few other organizations I can't remember the name of now (One was Buddhist, hmm). I gave through my bank too. Hmm... Oxfam America I think I didn't do but thought about.

JM

[KrazyHorse]

Give time, not money. I give to the development of agriculture in rural Africa, but I get more in return.

Why would I give time instead of money? I'm much more productive at my job than at somebody else's.

[MOBIUS]

[Heraclitus]

Did you guys miss serious?

@Ecofarm: Thats good Most people are dumb and just give relief aid. There are plenty of studies that show how relief aid mostly goes to local corrupt officals and distorts local free markets.

[Ecofarm]

Why would I give time instead of money? I'm much more productive at my job than at somebody else's.

Sorry, I edit alot. See back.

[Jon Miller]

Did you guys miss serious?

@Ecofarm: Thats good Most people are dumb and just give relief aid. There are plenty of studies that show how relief aid mostly goes to local corrupt officals and distorts local free markets.

It depends on who you give to.

If you give to a group who goes in and engages in literacy, or helps in disaster relief... that is different.

If you give to groups that help in a 1st world country like the US, that is different.

Of course, I shouldn't be surprised you think this way. Some people have tons of time and not much money. Other people don't have much time, and perhaps have more money. Obviously you and ecofarm are in similar boats.

JM

[Heraclitus]

Why would I give time instead of money? I'm much more productive at my job than at somebody else's.

I think he is either trying to say one of two things:

1. Charity isn't about people you give things to, its about how good it makes you feel. [selfish, but I doubt people getting aid mind]

2. He dosen't trust charity organizations with his money, but since he is involved with his labour he knows exactly what gets done with it.


I think no 2. is weak for inteligent people, especially with medium sized organizations since making sure the money is spent on something reasonable isn't that hard. Come to think of it a charity dedicated to exposing charity fraud might do the most net good.

[Ecofarm]

I'm trying to say that money doesn't solve anything. Giving time is way more effective.


Ultimately, I think educated 1st worlders should move, en masse, to the 3rd world because poverty does not get solved from afar and we need to reverse the brain drain. When 1st world educated people must live under governments like that, and laws like that, then things will change. Until then, I hope everyone feels great giving money-bandaids to real problems.

[Heraclitus]

I have donated to:

American Red Cross http://www.redcross.org/
Salvation Army http://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/www_usn_2.nsf
ADRA http://www.adra.org/site/PageServer
SDA church (various) + a small amount to other denominational churches.

A few other organizations I can't remember the name of now (One was Buddhist, hmm). I gave through my bank too. Hmm... Oxfam America I think I didn't do but thought about.

JM

I gave to the Slovenian Red Cross, also gave a bit to local communes and treatment centers (just a bit since the commune guys seemed shady).
http://www.redcross.int/

I'm also considering donating to this one:
http://projectprevention.org/