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For years, we've given significantly to a number of charities/ministries where the majority of all money (80-percent plus) is passed through (ie; Gospel for Asia; Food for the Hungry, etc). Of course, we also tithe through the church, but, keep a close eye on the giving budgets of the church.
We've also encouraged our adult children/families to give to missions/charities, in lieu of exchanging Christmas gifts. We still give gifts to the children, but, even they enjoy and participate in this alternative giving.
My family has stopped gift-giving entirely (except for kids), with the idea that the same money is donated instead.
At first people were giving to organizations in each others' names. But most people don't want to be on someone else's favorite organizations' mailing lists, and there's no point in spreading money out to a bunch of groups when a single donation per giver is simpler for everyone including the recipients.
Over the past few years, I'm so disillusioned that I wouldn't donate to anything outside of my local area, and even then I'd want to know explicitly what the intent of the donation was.
Over the past few years, I'm so disillusioned that I wouldn't donate to anything outside of my local area, and even then I'd want to know explicitly what the intent of the donation was.
Over the past few years, I'm so disillusioned that I wouldn't donate to anything outside of my local area, and even then I'd want to know explicitly what the intent of the donation was.
I too am disillusioned, not only with my charitable contributions, but also with my political donations.
One of my religion professors told our class that he had twice borrowed money to donate to his church. I could not have been more shocked had he told us that he had twice participated in a Black Mass. I thought at the time that all he was doing was making his banker wealthy. Decades later I discussed this with a coworker, who pointed out that you would have to question the church's ability to manage their finances. If my church were to ask me to borrow money, the first time I would be having a "Come to Jesus" meeting with the finance committee. There would not be a second time.
From time to time, one of my churches has brought up the subject of tithing. Most recently it was a series of DVD lectures from Robert Morris. His interpretations of gospel were inventive, but not scriptural. If my church ever got too insistent about tithing, I would leave. Some years ago, when my salary as a government worker was published in the local paper, my only real concern was that my church would want more money.
I only donate to charities and political organizations once a year. With today's computer technology, it would be simple to just send one request a year. And yet, my donations are squandered with repeated requests for more money. I have to look back in my checkbook in order to make sure that I have not already given to that organization for the year.
My advice now to people is do not donate to political organizations. It's worse than feeding stray animals. At least the animals don't repeatedly call you on the telephone. As far as charities, it's probably best to limit yourself to one or two, so that you are not inundated with requests for even more money.
fidelity has one of the biggest charitable gifting dept around .
you can contribute as much as you want in to investment accounts , take the deduction that year , yet let the money continue to compound and grow until you are ready to select a charity .
donating appreciating stock or funds is better than using your cash because unlike cash you get from investments and then donate , the donated investments never pay taxes on the gains .
they have lists a mile long of approved charities and are sorted by types of charities and causes .
I prefer local places where the money will be used to the maximum and not for administrative purposes and to mail me requests every week for more money.
I give to my church to help keep it open, but that's not actual charity. No one ever tells us we have to tithe. Once a year, instead of a sermon, the Treasurer goes over the budget and the expenses so everyone knows what it costs to keep the church running. Then they ask for a pledge so that a budget can be drawn up, but no one is harassed or told how much to give. Through the church, however, there are charitable opportunities.
I donate to a local soup kitchen/food pantry regularly, and throughout the year there are other events with organizations with whom we have a relationship. So, for example, in the summer they ask for backpacks and school supplies for kids whose parents can't afford them, and in December we do gifts and food for families in need related to medical problems (it's through the Visiting Nurse Association.)
I like to provide anonymous gifts throughout the year to folks like my group fitness class instructor who greatly influences our health and well-being.
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