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I don't, but I should.
I don't because my fear of donating to a fraudulent/ineffective organization aligns with my laziness regarding figuring out the best causes and procrastinating in making a budget.
Fear and executive dysfunction, together forming the perfect storm of neurodivergent inaction.
Most of the time I round up whenever I'm asked at drive-thrus, especially if it's for St. Jude. And then there were a few times for some internet people who did me a solid.
Those round up things are a scam. The business collecting the money takes a huge tax break, even if they do pass it on to the charity. Just donate to the charity and take the tax break for yourself.
If you can, donate to your LOCAL non-profits or the local branches of larger non-profits. Get to know the people in those organizations (volunteer, visit organization open houses/orientations, go to a hosted event) and you’ll feel a lot better about where your dollars are going.
I used to be on the board of a local domestic abuse shelter and now I’m on the board of a local food pantry. Both are amazing organizations, both have incredibly passionate people working for them, and the board is filled with mostly normal working people who have or want to have good community connections.
My partner has a little with big brothers big sisters and that turned into a board position for him because he was super enthusiastic and active. That’s a bigger organization but his contributions are at the local level and we’ve gotten to know the local “ceo” as well.
Also, 501(c)(3) orgs must publicly list their tax returns and you can find out the salaries of the executives on those tax returns. So even tho in my experience, the executives of the orgs at the local levels earn every damn penny (and it’s def not enuf) you can also find that info out for yourself. But please remember that if a non profit doesn’t have an excellent, passionate and well paid staff, they will NOT be able to get the donations and funding they need to fulfill their actual purpose. I’m talking specifically about local orgs tho, some of those giant orgs with executives making millions definitely should take a closer look at their priorities.
And finally…if you can’t donate money of course there is always volunteering but there is ALSO serving on a board. Every non-profit ive been involved with has had problems filling their board seats with active, enthusiastic individuals. Sometimes there are monetary asks of board members but no one is going to kick you out if you truly only have time and no money. And if u experience that, find a better board, they are out there and they are working really really hard to make things better.
I am really poor by UK standards, living on disability payments which are among the lowest in Europe. Sometimes I have to use the foodbank in winter. However, in summer I also donate to them and also give to local charities and homeless people. I know a lot of people say do not give directly to the homeless, but I think that is wrong.I have been homeless and found a community of folk just like everywhere else. Some do spend it all on drugs, but many more do not! It is not my place to judge.
I am poor, I live in a country with a fraction of US average salary and high expenses. Although I have a house and car, I also have a family to support. I barely make it as it is, so no, I do not donate money.
I don't usually donate to charities because the vast majority of the donation never actually goes to the cause it was donated for in the first place. However, I try to give cash to the homeless as often as Ican. On my drive home I frequently see homeless people and I try to give money and also bottled water that I usually have in my car. I don't know what they'll use it for, but it's something I can do right there and then for them and I know they at least have the opportunity to buy some food / necessities, and I know they have water.
I used to and still do, but I see it as an investment. In the past, I used to donate to various environmental organizations. Lack of money and disillusionment with the progress in environmental protection stopped this. Nowadays, I have a small monthly direct deposit to the armed forces of Ukraine. Living in Europe, I see this as investing into a peaceful retirement.
A token amount, a few euro a month.
BUT. One day it will all be donated. Every last cent of it.
Money is security. It's peace of mind. So I will keep hold of mine for now, thank you very much.
I once was a monthly donor for a Luciferian Initiatory school (esoteric sect) which I used to be a member/part of their fellowship.
I used to donate a check to several charities that were close to my heart. But over time I have just relied more on "rounding up" at the register or giving a few extra bucks by tapping a prompt on the pay pad. I work in a public school and I will bring in canned goods and box tops for all of their drives to help out as well.
No, I'm broke...
Wikipedia, ACLU, EFF and my company matches.
I do it directly (not through an organization), and always exactly $39.
Absolutely not.
