WHICH CHARITY? HOW DO I DECIDE?
Australians are generous people. You already knew that. We are ranked third on the World Giving Index. That’s something to be proud of.
However, with more than 10,000 charities in Australia and countless more worthy causes overseas, how do you decide who gets your precious charity dollar?
We all want our contributions to have meaning and to make a difference. None of us wants to see our money swallowed up by administrative fees, stolen by corrupt governments or individuals or wasted on ineffective programs.
Philanthropy Australia has some tips for choosing a charity to follow.
Of course we often have more than one motivation, so try weighing these up before you settle on where you want to lend your efforts. Be clear-eyed about your choice and ask yourself…
What are you passionate about?
What do you feel most strongly about? What is the problem you feel you would like to fix – or who are the people you want to help?
You might also like to think about whether there is a geographic basis to your giving. Do you want to donate to an area which you know well and are fond of, perhaps a community in which you live or grew up? Do you want to give to more remote communities, to people in rural Australia, to small or large towns,urban areas?
Also you may want to consider these points…
Make sure your charity is listed.
Again, Philanthropy Australia is a reputable site. Do you know someone (friend, relative, colleague) who can vouch for the organisation? Have you seen the need first-hand?
Think local.
Why not start with charities that support your countrymen and women? Can you visit the project you are investing in?
Go and ask questions.
Keep your charity accountable and monitor their progress via their website and annual reports.
Finally, can you volunteer instead?
Be the change you would like to see. You may find it more rewarding to make your contribution through time, rather than money.
How do you choose which charity you support?
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8 Responses to this article
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Emma September 12, 2012
I personally give a monthly donation to two charities that I KNOW don’t waste half my donation on admin fees – Foundation18.org which has an orphanage, education and elder care program in a remote Balinese village and Umoja Orhanage which is building an orphanage in Kenya. I know both women who run these and they are absolutely committed, heart and soul (and wallet) to these causes, and they are building better futures for these kids and villagers.
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Bern September 12, 2012
My husband and I are pensioners and so are limited in the funds we can give to charity. We give to charities for causes that are close to our heart such as anything to do with cancer and the Royal Flying Doctor Service (having lived in the real Outback for several years). My husband and I both raise funds for Variety, the children’s charity and anything to do with the ex-service/cureent military community since my husband is a Vietnam Veteran. I prefer not to give to overseas causes which may sound harsh but I believe in helping in “our own backyard”. I also give my time to community groups, so don’t just give money.
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the*sparrow September 12, 2012
Long ago I made a few categories of charities I felt I wanted to support, and then selected appropriate recipients for monthly credit card donations. My categories were:
– third world children (two of them, via Plan International)
- the environment (WWF)
- threatened species (orangutans, The Orangutan Project)
- refugees (UNHCR)
- domestic animals (RSPCA).I do give ad hoc to some charities too, but as you say, there are so many! Sometimes I feel guilty I have no homeless people, hospitals or cancer cure charities on my list, but the money pool is finite!
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sam September 12, 2012
Mental health, especially related to youth is probably where I give the most often.
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Glenis September 12, 2012
A few years ago we decided to sponsor a child through World Vision. So now if floods, famine or anything else comes up we always give via World Vision. They support many causes both in Australia and world wide throughout the year or has things happen.
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Benster September 12, 2012
There are other ways to help people, too. As well as donating to charities in Australia and overseas, I make micro loans through Kiva (www.kiva.org), a not for profit organisation which lends small amounts of money to help people lift themselves out of poverty. You can lend as little as $25, 100% of which goes to the people who need it. I have been repaid many times, and simply reinvest that money in other ventures. Kiva operates all around the world, including in the Asia Pacific region. It’s well worth looking at the website to see the difference a small amount of money can make.
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Rhoda September 12, 2012
I have been supporting the education of girls in Africa via Camfed.
My favourite charity though is the Malpa Project which helps indigneous Australians. It has a flagship project called Young Doctors which is worth checking out if you’ve never heard of it. It’s based on the UNICEF Child Doctor projects.
I feel very strongly about supporting projects like these that provide opportunities for a future built on knowledge they can use to better their lives.
