What are your thoughts on charities?

[Danny_dan92]

For years I have this serious concern that many if not most of these charities actually pocket the donations, instead of using for them for what they’re “intended for”


Because how is it there are so many charities, so many donations. Yet things seem to only get worse, rather than improve?


Bit of a hot take but that’s my view on them.

[NathanDavis]

I don't just give or donate to charities and forget...

I get involved... but I do so at this Vet Clinic/Shelter (the shelter part is ran by a close friend of mine) so, not only with contributions for things that are quite needed but also with my time, sometimes

and must of the donations they take is not cash, nor wire transfer but actual stuff they need and also are going to use (and not resell, lol)

some years ago, I was also involved with a charity, a hospital for children, and again... a very good friend of mine was involved, and I know she was in charge of administering those donations so I knew well what all that money was spent on

genuine charity's aim is not solve all of the situations, the goal is to target very specific situations of very specific and vulnerable people

but yes, there's a lot of scams and dishonest people involved as well

[RavVid]

I agree. I watched an old fashioned charity get professionalized. The first that happened was the volunteer that gave their time to help people were kicked out to be replaced by people paid to do the same thing.

This important because the CEO isn't going to be paid much if every body worked for free. If he gets up the staffing costs by getting rid of the charitably free workers then he can negotiate a higher salary for himself. It will work it's way down to lower ranks so every body has motivation.

The last charity I donated to was the lost dogs home. They spent my money on glossy beging letters! Rang them and told them not spend my money on begging money from me. They said sorry and then sent me more begging letters.

There is the concept of inward and outward business. Charities are a way of channeling money to the CEO and staff. It has nothing to do with helping people. Or lost dogs.

[Andres77]

i completely understand ur concern. so i went to Colombia 3 times checking on the kids i was sponsoring. i spoke with the parents and heard the benefit of the program. it takes investigation and effort.

https://www.charitynavigator.org/?c_src=WPAIDSEARCH&msclkid=e916965e427e10a55ef4f335bad3ebd4

this is a good tool as well.

[Meropatrick]

I really feel the same. The way in australia those charity people chase u on the Street its very predetory. No one does that for good. Charties is known to be used by the elites to avoid taxes as well. I dont give to Charties. I actually travel a lot to foreign countries where u end up actually meeting needy people face to face and give them the money and see how it makes their day and change their lives. In egypt most people are poor. I over tip the waiter knowing that waiters especially young ones are mostly students who r working to support their families and education. They will appreciate anything. Always always skip the middle man and do it urself if u can. Give charty to the needy directly

[Meropatrick]

Also in Lebanon 80 percent of the people are below the poverty line bcs of American sanctions they are very appreciative if they offer u service and u tip them

[Sjoerd85]

A lot of charities seem to advertise on TV to get donations. As in "SMS to this number to donate 4 Euros per month". That always makes me think "how many of those donations are wasted to fund these advertisements? I really don't think they can get the primetime adverticement time (and commercial production) for free".

[ShadezMcgee]

I would say it depends on the charities. I definitely wouldn't do a charity I didn't know about or one promoted by influencers who are in turn donating because that is the one where I feel it is more likely to be a scam where they pocket it.

So I would be more inclined believe established ones like St. Jude's Children's Hospital, Wounded Warrior Project, or something like that.

[DARKCLOUD1945X]

There are some charities I give to, what I dislike is getting envelopes full of junk begging for more money that I just sent you. Then you 50 other charities begging for money. If you gave $25 to a charity they get a $1 or $2 the rest goes to buying the shit they send you and paying the company that sends it and the postage. If you have to send something, make it a postcard saying thanks.

[Anonymous]

I look at charities as good publicity for corporations, nothing more. I think people should donate thier money to people in need in person. Or do do like me. I have a couple people I know that just have a knack for finding people in need. I give them my money to give to others.

[Fireguy17]

That is why I always do the research on them, and I just give to local ones, usually food pantries.
Ours are staffed by volunteers, so all the money goes to help others.

[exitseven]

Most of them are scams. The administrators all make big salaries and the people it is supposed to help get the crumbs. Just to be on the safe side I don't give to any of them

[ThrillSeeker01]

I think there are good ones and there are bad ones. Bad ones share your name to other charities and then you never get left alone.

[Anonymous]

Mostly scammy other than the grassroots level, I'll use them to haul my junk or make money but I would support them outside of that

[Opinion Owner]

Wouldn't

[KatherineJ]

Some are fantastic, and some are horrible.

[DextroShade]

Most charities are nothing more than scams.