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Old 09-15-2017, 06:13 AM
 
Location: Where the sun likes to shine!!
20,549 posts, read 30,328,395 times
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I've been researching charities to help and donate to. It saddens me that I have come across so many who will not let you volunteer if you are not a "believer" like they are. So my question to you is what charities out there do not discriminate against non believers who want to help and make a difference in people's lives?
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Old 09-15-2017, 08:49 AM
 
Location: Northeastern US
19,805 posts, read 13,353,303 times
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They will happily take your money regardless of your beliefs, ironically.

Smart charities will not starve themselves of volunteers, either. A local church here for example runs a food kitchen as a separate nonprofit which allows them to take volunteers based strictly on the only criteria that matters, which is, can you show up reliably for this or that shift and do the work according to instructions.

Your best bet is a secular charity, NGO or government service that is divorced from ideology and has a reputation for being well-managed -- or, as I suggest above, a religious charity with some separation from the dogmatic purity requirements. One that comes to mind that has good nationwide penetration in the US is Catholic Charities, which does a lot of social safety net reinforcement and will take anyone as a volunteer, at least officially, although, in some locations you may find it's still an unofficial clique of observant Catholics, I suppose. Also, their pure volunteer positions are limited at least in my area to manning the used clothing operation; virtually all their other positions are paid staff.
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Old 09-15-2017, 01:55 PM
 
Location: "Arlen" Texas
11,729 posts, read 2,927,905 times
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I'd never heard of that, Lisa. Thanks for the heads up!
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Old 09-15-2017, 06:56 PM
 
17,183 posts, read 22,829,738 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ylisa7 View Post
I've been researching charities to help and donate to. It saddens me that I have come across so many who will not let you volunteer if you are not a "believer" like they are. So my question to you is what charities out there do not discriminate against non believers who want to help and make a difference in people's lives?
There are several atheist charities that do not discriminate against believers, but identify as atheist.

Foundation Beyond Belief
https://foundationbeyondbelief.org/

Kansas City Atheist Coalition
Home - Kansas City Atheist Coalition - Philanthropy, activism, and community for Kansas City atheists.

Freedom From Religion Foundation
https://ffrf.org/legal

Atheists Helping the Homeless
Atheists Helping the Homeless - Atheist Nexus

James Randi Educational Foundation
JREF - Home

Free Thought Action
Help America Evolve -

Kiva has an atheist and agnostic lending team.
https://www.kiva.org/team/a_atheists...e_nonreligious

Corpus Christi Atheists
https://www.facebook.com/CCAtheists/

Then there are many Humanist societies helping with various Hurricane Relief packages
Humanists of Houston
Humanists of Houston

Houston Oasis
https://www.houstonoasis.org/

Beaumont Humanist Society
https://www.facebook.com/BeaumontHumanistSociety1/

There are lots more.
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Old 09-20-2017, 05:25 PM
 
14,294 posts, read 13,154,705 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ylisa7 View Post
I've been researching charities to help and donate to. It saddens me that I have come across so many who will not let you volunteer if you are not a "believer" like they are. So my question to you is what charities out there do not discriminate against non believers who want to help and make a difference in people's lives?
Planned parenthood.

Any battered women's shelter.

Homeless shelters.

I am sure there are more.
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Old 09-21-2017, 01:19 AM
 
Location: 'greater' Buffalo, NY
5,348 posts, read 3,853,546 times
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The Richard Dawkins Foundation for Reason and Science...although as of 2016, it's an arm of the Center for Inquiry
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Old 09-21-2017, 07:52 AM
 
6,115 posts, read 3,065,796 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by ylisa7 View Post
I've been researching charities to help and donate to. It saddens me that I have come across so many who will not let you volunteer if you are not a "believer" like they are. So my question to you is what charities out there do not discriminate against non believers who want to help and make a difference in people's lives?
Looks like a very poor attempt in taking a cheap shot on faith based charity organizations that are engaged in doing A LOT of good work for humanity all over the globe.

In all honesty, you do NOT need to rely on any organization if you REALLY want to volunteer and help people.

Go to any storm hit areas or anywhere you like, and start helping with your skills, and perhaps no one is going to ask about your faith.

I may be wrong but it doesn't look like you are actually wanting to help people with volunteering but it's more of a show off attempt.

Those who help, remain silent and let their actions do the talking.
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Old 09-21-2017, 11:05 AM
 
Location: New Mexico
4,971 posts, read 7,345,014 times
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What are these places won't let you volunteer? There are lots of organizations that may be religious but that don't care what you believe.

For example, Habitat for Humanity is a Christian organization, but according to their website: "All who desire to be a part of this work are welcome, regardless of religious preference or background. We have a policy of building with people in need regardless of race or religion. We welcome volunteers and supporters from all backgrounds."
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Old 09-21-2017, 12:20 PM
 
Location: West Virginia
16,626 posts, read 15,574,252 times
Reputation: 10868
Our local animal shelter has several events throughout the year that always need volunteers. Most are some kind of fund raisers to finance operating a no-kill animal shelter. I'm there several times each year.

There are also community Main Street events that always need help. I've volunteered many times, and I have never been asked about religion.

The Children's Therapy Clinic also has work for volunteers. They didn't ask me about religion either.

I go when I see there is a need that I can fill.
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Old 09-26-2017, 09:16 PM
 
Location: Oklahoma
2,186 posts, read 1,165,317 times
Reputation: 1015
Quote:
Originally Posted by mensaguy View Post
Our local animal shelter has several events throughout the year that always need volunteers. Most are some kind of fund raisers to finance operating a no-kill animal shelter. I'm there several times each year.

There are also community Main Street events that always need help. I've volunteered many times, and I have never been asked about religion.

The Children's Therapy Clinic also has work for volunteers. They didn't ask me about religion either.

I go when I see there is a need that I can fill.
Oops, this post was meant towards the OP.

I'm atheist and Compassion International has no problem taking my money.
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