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Do you donate to good causes such as charities?

Why don't I donate? I haven't found a charity I believe to be worthwhile or necessary so far.

Take MADD for example: what do they do that really makes a difference/deterrence against drunk drivers? Has anyone been at a party drunk and when walking to their car (with every intent of driving home) saw one of those ribbons on someone else' radio aerial and said "you know what, I'm going to call a taxi instead and save a life." I doubt it happens and as such I wonder about the efficacy of such things.

As for personal charities: I'm fortunate to live in a country where your success and well-being can be earned through hard work and dedication. I don't think people really need charity save for the mentally handicap or physically disabled who can't look after themselves as far as income goes. And they are already likely taken care of by other means (government, disability, insurance).

The "idea" of charity is nice but I don't think it is necessary in this day and age.
 
I donated to the EFF (Electronic Frontier Foundation) once; it's not a charity, but definitely a good cause.
 
Originally posted by: Flyback
Why don't I donate? I haven't found a charity I believe to be worthwhile or necessary so far.

Take MADD for example: what do they do that really makes a difference/deterrence against drunk drivers? Has anyone been at a party drunk and when walking to their car (with every intent of driving home) saw one of those ribbons on someone else' radio aerial and said "you know what, I'm going to call a taxi instead and save a life." I doubt it happens and as such I wonder about the efficacy of such things.

As for personal charities: I'm fortunate to live in a country where your success and well-being can be earned through hard work and dedication. I don't think people really need charity save for the mentally handicap or physically disabled who can't look after themselves as far as income goes. And they are already likely taken care of by other means (government, disability, insurance).

The "idea" of charity is nice but I don't think it is necessary in this day and age.
Click to expand...

Wow, ignorance is alive and well.

You don't think UNICEF helps feed the poor in 3rd world nations? You don't think that MADD provides educational programs that may convince one person from drinking and driving? You don't think charities help those out in need during natural disasters like Katrina? etc....
 
I'll donate if i don't get hassled.

Come up and try to guilt trip me into giving, and you ain't going to get a red cent.
 
I regularly donate to a local orphanage, and to the National Park Service. Every now and again I will make one time "out of the blue" donations to people-helping organizations (missions, orphanages, youth camps, etc.) that I think are worthy of my money.
 
Originally posted by: Flyback
Why don't I donate? I haven't found a charity I believe to be worthwhile or necessary so far.

Take MADD for example: what do they do that really makes a difference/deterrence against drunk drivers? Has anyone been at a party drunk and when walking to their car (with every intent of driving home) saw one of those ribbons on someone else' radio aerial and said "you know what, I'm going to call a taxi instead and save a life." I doubt it happens and as such I wonder about the efficacy of such things.

As for personal charities: I'm fortunate to live in a country where your success and well-being can be earned through hard work and dedication. I don't think people really need charity save for the mentally handicap or physically disabled who can't look after themselves as far as income goes. And they are already likely taken care of by other means (government, disability, insurance).

The "idea" of charity is nice but I don't think it is necessary in this day and age.
Click to expand...

This is exactly why the world never gets any better. Apathy for your fellow humans sucks.
 
I donate money occasionally but I do try to donate time more often. Yesterday I spent time packing huge boxes with pants/shirts/jackets headed for less fortunate countries. Our company even gives everyone two paid days annually to volunteer time.
 
No. Because I know that 80% of my money that I donate is being used to keep up their electricity bills. I just help by donating to my school charity drives, because they go out personally and give stuff out.
 
Originally posted by: tenshodo13
No. Because I know that 80% of my money that I donate is being used to keep up their electricity bills. I just help by donating to my school charity drives, because they go out personally and give stuff out.
Click to expand...

That is certainly true of some charities and groups but is not always true. There are many worthy charities that devote between 80-90% of cash taken in directly on their purpose and not administrative costs. Like anything else a little research is essential to make sure you get the most for your charitable contributions.
 
Originally posted by: Flyback
Why don't I donate? I haven't found a charity I believe to be worthwhile or necessary so far.

Take MADD for example: what do they do that really makes a difference/deterrence against drunk drivers? Has anyone been at a party drunk and when walking to their car (with every intent of driving home) saw one of those ribbons on someone else' radio aerial and said "you know what, I'm going to call a taxi instead and save a life." I doubt it happens and as such I wonder about the efficacy of such things.

As for personal charities: I'm fortunate to live in a country where your success and well-being can be earned through hard work and dedication. I don't think people really need charity save for the mentally handicap or physically disabled who can't look after themselves as far as income goes. And they are already likely taken care of by other means (government, disability, insurance).

The "idea" of charity is nice but I don't think it is necessary in this day and age.
Click to expand...

DIAF
 
I don't usually have the extra money to donate to a charity.

I have donated money to co-workers who lost a hoem to fire and stuff like that, but I don't think I've ever donated to a large charity.
 
My wife and I give money/materials and time to very local drives that support specific causes.

These are typically being driven by our employer. Examples include backpacks full of school supplies for kids. Winter clothing and blankets for families. Electric company credits. Fun baskets for the local Childrens Hospital. Ect.

We specifically chose not to give to United Way and other similar organizations because of the overhead and distribution of the funds. We feel our dollars are much better used locally.
 
Originally posted by: Capt Caveman
Originally posted by: Flyback
Why don't I donate? I haven't found a charity I believe to be worthwhile or necessary so far.

Take MADD for example: what do they do that really makes a difference/deterrence against drunk drivers? Has anyone been at a party drunk and when walking to their car (with every intent of driving home) saw one of those ribbons on someone else' radio aerial and said "you know what, I'm going to call a taxi instead and save a life." I doubt it happens and as such I wonder about the efficacy of such things.

As for personal charities: I'm fortunate to live in a country where your success and well-being can be earned through hard work and dedication. I don't think people really need charity save for the mentally handicap or physically disabled who can't look after themselves as far as income goes. And they are already likely taken care of by other means (government, disability, insurance).

The "idea" of charity is nice but I don't think it is necessary in this day and age.
Click to expand...

Wow, ignorance is alive and well.

You don't think UNICEF helps feed the poor in 3rd world nations? You don't think that MADD provides educational programs that may convince one person from drinking and driving? You don't think charities help those out in need during natural disasters like Katrina? etc....
Click to expand...

I think MADD is more concerned with becoming the WTU of the 21st Century than they are with saving lives. Research what MADD founder Candy Lightner thinks about the focus of the organization she was instrumental in forming.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit
My wife and I give money/materials and time to very local drives that support specific causes.

These are typically being driven by our employer. Examples include backpacks full of school supplies for kids. Winter clothing and blankets for families. Electric company credits. Fun baskets for the local Childrens Hospital. Ect.

We specifically chose not to give to United Way and other similar organizations because of the overhead and distribution of the funds. We feel our dollars are much better used locally.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

I don't know about your experience but almost every year of life I have been subjected to pressure from employers to give to United Way. One company I worked for went so far as to demand that you return the pledge cards with 0 entered if you chose not to contribute to them.

 
Originally posted by: Linflas
Originally posted by: vi_edit
My wife and I give money/materials and time to very local drives that support specific causes.

These are typically being driven by our employer. Examples include backpacks full of school supplies for kids. Winter clothing and blankets for families. Electric company credits. Fun baskets for the local Childrens Hospital. Ect.

We specifically chose not to give to United Way and other similar organizations because of the overhead and distribution of the funds. We feel our dollars are much better used locally.
Click to expand...

:thumbsup:

I don't know about your experience but almost every year of life I have been subjected to pressure from employers to give to United Way. One company I worked for went so far as to demand that you return the pledge cards with 0 entered if you chose not to contribute to them.
Click to expand...

Our employer was pretty forceful with the United Way stuff too. We had a *required* attendence(we got dinged for bonuses if missed) where we were all stuck in a room and offered cookies and treats and then handed the United Way contribution forms. Then the dog and pony show started where they wheeled out all of these "fabulous prizes!" like company coffee mugs, hooded sweatshirts, ect that you could get for each level of donation.

Bleh.

I'm just glad that there are still dozens of other events throughout the year that driven entirely out of donated time and charity that we can give to that goes directly back into our community.
 
fwiw - if you don't have the money to donate to a charity, they all welcome volunteers. It's one of the most rewarding things I've ever done.
 
Originally posted by: vi_edit

Our employer was pretty forceful with the United Way stuff too. We had a *required* attendence(we got dinged for bonuses if missed) where we were all stuck in a room and offered cookies and treats and then handed the United Way contribution forms. Then the dog and pony show started where they wheeled out all of these "fabulous prizes!" like company coffee mugs, hooded sweatshirts, ect that you could get for each level of donation.

Bleh.

I'm just glad that there are still dozens of other events throughout the year that driven entirely out of donated time and charity that we can give to that goes directly back into our community.
Click to expand...

my old company was the same way. i hated those things.
 
I donate both time and money to the ACS (American Cancer Society). I'd like to donate to the Chicago NPR but I'm still a broke college student.
 
Yes, probably not more than 1% of our income, but it is tax deductable 🙂

However, because I research charities before I give I'm very reluctant to give to those that come up to me to solicit a donation. Just yesterday, I was at the drive thru window of the drug store and was asked if I'd give a dollar toward buying "a" pencil for a high school student. I felt like a cheapskate when I turned her down, but, like I said I don't give unless I know how it's going to be spent. wtf $1 for one pencil.
 
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