Another thought on charitable donations - Page 3

Sundae · 11-13-2008, 01:26 PM

Sweet - the men are for it, the women are against it (in general terms).

smoothmoniker · 11-14-2008, 12:56 AM

Perry, that perspective is always curious to me.

I guess I'm coming at this with the thought that when it comes to impacting poverty, $50 in the hands of an organization like World Vision or Heifer International is going to be used in a way that's much more effective, in the long run, than anything I could do with that $50 directly. My efforts will be haphazard, decisions made emotionally, with little understanding of the actual realities of the situation. Their efforts, on the other hand, are ongoing, sustained, pragmatic, and hopefully effective.

There is an infrastructure cost to doing things well, whether that thing is building a car or impacting poverty. I consider the institutional cost to be the price of professionalism, which I place a high value on, even in charitable organizations.

What level of institutional cost is acceptable? I don't know. 10%? 15%? Charity Navigator is an organization that audits non-profits and gives you a breakdown on how they spend their money. For World Vision, a group our family has supported for a long time, they spend about 86% directly on programs, about 5% on administration, and about 8% on fundraising. That seems very reasonable to me.

Aliantha · 11-14-2008, 04:22 AM

I think the problem is that we've grown into this culture of giving every tom, dick and harry a present because we can afford to.

I think maybe now things are more expensive for most people, we'll start becoming more selective of who we buy gifts for, and also what we give. Instead of expressing our feelings with money, maybe we'll actually get back to trying to get those we love a gift that means something even though maybe it doesn't cost so much.

Bullitt · 11-14-2008, 10:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Aliantha

I think the problem is that we've grown into this culture of giving every tom, dick and harry a present because we can afford to.

I think maybe now things are more expensive for most people, we'll start becoming more selective of who we buy gifts for, and also what we give. Instead of expressing our feelings with money, maybe we'll actually get back to trying to get those we love a gift that means something even though maybe it doesn't cost so much.

You don't like Jefferson, Nixon, and Truman?

Trilby · 11-14-2008, 09:51 AM

In 2001 my sister's MIL donated money to the families of undocumented workers who perished in the Twin Towers. My sister was not very happy about it. Her preferred charities are not really human in nature. Like me, she prefers animals to humans. That said, she felt if someone was going to donate in her name it should be a charity she cared about.

classicman · 11-14-2008, 10:40 AM

- very witty

TheMercenary · 11-16-2008, 10:51 AM

We do it at the request of people who have died but that is about it.

Pico and ME · 11-16-2008, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

We do it at the request of people who have died but that is about it.

Thats about the best way, I think.

View Poll Results: What do you think of charitable giving in someone else's name as a gift?
Just fine, I do it for a variety of people	6	28.57%
It's fine once in awhile but not consistently	10	47.62%
Done it before but no inclined to do it again	0	0%
Tacky copout	5	23.81%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

11-14-2008, 12:56 AM	#2
smoothmoniker to live and die in LA Join Date: Feb 2003 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 2,090	Perry, that perspective is always curious to me. I guess I'm coming at this with the thought that when it comes to impacting poverty, $50 in the hands of an organization like World Vision or Heifer International is going to be used in a way that's much more effective, in the long run, than anything I could do with that $50 directly. My efforts will be haphazard, decisions made emotionally, with little understanding of the actual realities of the situation. Their efforts, on the other hand, are ongoing, sustained, pragmatic, and hopefully effective. There is an infrastructure cost to doing things well, whether that thing is building a car or impacting poverty. I consider the institutional cost to be the price of professionalism, which I place a high value on, even in charitable organizations. What level of institutional cost is acceptable? I don't know. 10%? 15%? Charity Navigator is an organization that audits non-profits and gives you a breakdown on how they spend their money. For World Vision, a group our family has supported for a long time, they spend about 86% directly on programs, about 5% on administration, and about 8% on fundraising. That seems very reasonable to me. __________________ to live and die in LA

11-14-2008, 04:22 AM	#3
Aliantha trying hard to be a better person Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 16,493	I think the problem is that we've grown into this culture of giving every tom, dick and harry a present because we can afford to. I think maybe now things are more expensive for most people, we'll start becoming more selective of who we buy gifts for, and also what we give. Instead of expressing our feelings with money, maybe we'll actually get back to trying to get those we love a gift that means something even though maybe it doesn't cost so much. __________________ Kind words are the music of the world. F. W. Faber

11-14-2008, 09:51 AM	#5
Trilby Slattern of the Swail Join Date: Jul 2004 Posts: 15,654	In 2001 my sister's MIL donated money to the families of undocumented workers who perished in the Twin Towers. My sister was not very happy about it. Her preferred charities are not really human in nature. Like me, she prefers animals to humans. That said, she felt if someone was going to donate in her name it should be a charity she cared about. __________________ In Barrie's play and novel, the roles of fairies are brief: they are allies to the Lost Boys, the source of fairy dust and ...They are portrayed as dangerous, whimsical and extremely clever but quite hedonistic. "Shall I give you a kiss?" Peter asked and, jerking an acorn button off his coat, solemnly presented it to her. —James Barrie Wimminfolk they be tricksy. - ZenGum

11-14-2008, 10:40 AM	#6
classicman barely disguised asshole, keeper of all that is holy. Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 23,401	- very witty __________________ "like strapping a pillow on a bull in a china shop" Bullitt

11-13-2008, 01:26 PM	#1
Sundae polaroid of perfection Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: West Yorkshire Posts: 24,185	Sweet - the men are for it, the women are against it (in general terms).

11-16-2008, 10:51 AM	#7
TheMercenary “Hypocrisy: prejudice with a halo” Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Savannah, Georgia Posts: 21,393	We do it at the request of people who have died but that is about it. __________________ Anyone but the this most fuked up President in History in 2012!

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