Do you give frequently to charities?

[Clevercat]

After seeing the adverts I am thinking of comitting to giving a small donation monthly, we used to as a couple donate to one of Steves chosen charities.

My question is how do you really know how legitimate a charity is?  How do you know how much money does go to the cause?   You know there is always someone who could justify a reason why not to give to a certain charity................

Am I being dense?!!

[Clevercat]

I left out the link to the charity I was referring to, 


http://www.wateraid.org/uk/default.asp

[Yokel]

Nope, you aren’t being dense.  The RNLI is famous for having many years too much money, the NSPCC has a reputation for overpaying its execs and having funding irregularities.  On top of which I wouldn’t support a charity that advertises on telly as a) it wont be so local and b) these charities are becoming the Tescos and Asdas of the charity world - meaning the smaller charities and their causes are suffering.  Look at cats protection – didn’t they have 8 million sitting around in Icelandic bank accounts?
Personally I wouldn’t give a fixed sum every month to any charity, although in principle I do support good causes and the work of the charities generally.

[Yokel]

Also, you have to ask yourself if supporting your chosen charity is for the greater good and whether its right to support it. 

For example:

If we support eradication of cancer would that create an increasingly burgeoning ageing population?

If we support the 3rd world countries would that produce massive global overpopulation?

Why has the western world been giving aid to third world countries for - many of them - well over 50 years yet the countries themselves aren't getting any better? - shouldnt they be left to depend on themselves for their own good?

[Soup]

The charity commision's website gives you info on all registered charities and trusts out there. You can look at detailed accounts etc. Personally I prefer not to commit to one charity, and just to give from time to time to those that need the support.

www.charity-commission.gov.uk

[Clevercat]

Thanks for that information, do not think I will commit myself then to a monthly contribution.

I agree in sentiment with what you say Yokel about the third world countries possibly being able to be more self sufficient, but is this not the failings of their Government and the leaders etc, money in all the wrong places?

I would not mind contributing knowing that my full amount of money would be going to supplying clean water, which would make life more comfortable for so many, but I would hate it to be lining pockets of others and having no real benefit.

I do generally give to Cancer Research, Help the Aged, Homeless charities etc, when I can.

Thanks for the input. 

[cuthbert-murray]

I steer well clear of any organization that has all the head office, paid staff and exectituives as the money you give is swallowed up in the general costs of running with a lot of charities of advertising bonues, and waste which the time your donation is filltered down it doesnt come to much to help that cause you generously give to.

take for instance the bush fire appeal ive collected for that money will be taken down under with me and given direct to help where its most needed , not some fat cat executive sat on his aris in london or sydney.
place it where you can guareente where its going only is the only advice, if you wish cc to make a monthly donation im sure the air ambulance or ie the first responders would be more than happy to forward their banking details

[Yokel]

http://www.charityfacts.org/charity_facts/why_do_so_many.html

its a biased site so read it very dryly

http://www.intelligentgiving.com/the_buzz/the_blog/our_future_plans_why_we_ve_been_so_quiet

On the nspcc:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/talking_point/1061049.stm

other stuff....

http://www.publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm200506/cmstand/a/st060711/am/60711s02.htm

http://www.timesonline.co.uk/tol/news/world/africa/article2796032.ece