Charity - Where do you give? - PhillyBlog

WashWestDad · #1 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 01:37 PM

This piece in today's Inky, got me thinking. Where do PBers donate money or volunteer time? Please vote in the poll and list your favorite charities in the thread.

Quote:

A double standard in charity
Giving to the poor lags this year despite a rise in donations to hospitals and religious groups.
By Toni Callas
Inquirer Staff Writer

...

Despite reports that donor fatigue is affecting Christmas giving, those who keep track say agencies and groups will see an overall increase from the $250 billion raised for charity last year.

But while donations to education, hospitals and religious groups are on the rise, giving to the poor - the traditional focus around Christmas - lags, said Trent Stamp, executive director of Charity Navigator, a New Jersey group that evaluates 5,000 charities for donors.

"It's the only group seeing declines in the amount of money being given," said Stamp, who bases his findings on his own work, the climate of the economy, and a survey by the Giving USA Foundation, a Chicago group that tracks contributions to nonprofits.

Food banks, youth services and homeless shelters, for example, are feeling the pinch, he said.

Scoop0901 · #2 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 01:50 PM

EDIT to add a more complete list. Perhaps it will spur others to donate, as well.

American Red Cross
Awake In America
Awake In Philly
Free Library of Philadelphia
Friends of Pennypack Park
MANNA
National Sleep Foundation
Several American Indian ("injun," as I say) organization
United Way of Southeastern Pennsylvania

There are other organizations that I am involved with, mostly by investing my time, helping them with writing, designing/DTP, and other tasks.

ol tex · #3 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:03 PM

We are pretty wide spread in our giving, examples for this year:

American Cancer Society
Fox Chase Cancer Center
American Heart Association
AmfAR
Free Library of Phila.
Friends of the Free Library of Philadelphia, Independence Branch
Bicycle coalition of the Delaware Valley
ACLU
Philabundance
Planned Parenthood
Rails to trails conservancy
Philadelphia Museum of Art
Red Cross
Human Rights Campaign
Gettysburg College
Texas A&M
Univ. of Texas
Wash West Civic Association

We almost always give to all of these (except for possibly Red Cross, bicycle coalition, and rails to trails).

Still thinking about:
Penn Environment (anyone know anything about them?)

Penelope · #4 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:26 PM

Green Party USA

Planned parenthood
Green peace
PETA
Oxfam
League of women voters

rhawnhurst diva · #5 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:33 PM

ASPCA

A local beagle rescue where we adopted our dog.

dmberwyn · #6 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:36 PM

DNC
University of Pennsylvania
American Association for Cancer research
Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer foundation
my local Catholic Church
Planned parenthood
Red cross (for Katrina)

monavano · #7 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:37 PM

Being in D.C., we support:

The Kennedy Center
The Smithsonian
Friends of the National Zoo

Also, we give to:

The American Red Cross
Fisher House ( Military version of Ronald McDonald House)

Also, gave to a local organic produce farmer to help hire day labor whilst moving his greenhouses, lest he lose his business.

MisterT · #8 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:39 PM

As a young man of limited means I donate more time than money. Back home in MI I am a co-founder of a charity bike ride. The proceeds from the ride go to the foundation of which I am a part, and we spread the money through the health care industry, a camp we run and worldwide aid (Iraq, Honduras, Africa, etc...)

jhenry · #9 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:41 PM

ASPCA
Philadelphia Zoo
PMA
Rodin Museum
Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts
Institute of Contemporary Art
Gettysburg College
Franklin and Marshall College
various political candidates

WashWestDad · #10 (**permalink**) 12-14-2005, 02:50 PM

My family's giving is pretty evenly split into 4 groups, with the first being the largest:

Local (WHYY, Morris Animal Refuge, Bicycle Coalition, Utility Emergency Services Fund, Neighborhood Bike Works, Planned Parenthood of SE PA)
Education
International
National

I hadn't realized until doing this breakdown that i've been more willing to help the distant poor (via Oxfam, AFSC) than the local poor. I guess that's a blindspot i need to work on - remembering that there are hungry people in this city and country as well as in Africa and Asia.

I also can't believe i left "Animals" off the poll!

View Poll Results: What type of charity gets most of your donations?
Services for the poor (e.g., food bank, homeless shelter)	13	22.41%
Education	4	6.90%
Religious	4	6.90%
Hospital, health or medicine	4	6.90%
Arts and culture	4	6.90%
Social/political change	6	10.34%
Other local charity	7	12.07%
Other national/world charity	3	5.17%
I spread my donations equally	13	22.41%
Voters: 58. You may not vote on this poll