Haiti and Coffee

[polyvue]

Haven't seen discussed on this site anyone's donations to organizations helping Haiti but know that many of you have already given to help the people there. In the past, I gave one-time donations to various groups but decided after the earthquake that I would give on a regular basis the same amount that I spend on caffè lattes (and mochas!) each month. If you haven't already given, here are two worthy organizations I have previously researched, which are now recipients of my small stipend:

Médecins Sans Frontières
http://www.doctorswithoutborders.org/

Oxfam
http://www.oxfamamerica.org/

 

[frustratedpoolmom]

Thanks Greg, I've been procrastinating, wanting to donate but hesitating because I wasn't sure which charities would actually put the money where it's needed, I've heard some rumors about the Red Cross that a lot of the money collected is spent elsewhere or on administrative. Where is one able to research this sort of thing?

I've heard that doctors without borders is a good one....I'm leaning towards that.

 

[no-mas]

We have friends that had a family member arrive in Port au Prince the day before the earthquake hit. His corpse was finally found a few days ago.

Their experience was that Save the Children was most organized and informative of any of the organizations they dealt with in term of finding information about their family member. That, and the over one million orphans OUTSIDE of the orphanages BEFORE the quake hit made it clear to us where we would donate.

Some sources to check up on charities are the Better Business Bureau (the other BBB), The American Institute of Philanthropy, and Forbes, which annually publishes the efficiency of charities that they follow.

 

[polyvue]

Thanks Greg, I've been procrastinating, wanting to donate but hesitating because I wasn't sure which charities would actually put the money where it's needed, I've heard some rumors about the Red Cross that a lot of the money collected is spent elsewhere or on administrative. Where is one able to research this sort of thing?

I've heard that doctors without borders is a good one....I'm leaning towards that.

I was a bit worried about posting this because I didn't want to come across as a scold. There are people I respect who would prefer to do their giving privately and perhaps some for various reasons elect not to participate. In balance, though, I thought there should be some mention of the Haiti relief effort and this prompted a realization that in recent years I haven't been organized or methodical about giving to the programs I support emotionally.

Links to charity evaluators, including those mentioned by no-mas:

The American Institute of Philanthropy
http://www.charitywatch.org/index.html

Choosing A Charity (Forbes - July 2009)
http://www.forbes.com/2009/07/30/choosi ... ities.html

Charity Navigator
http://www.charitynavigator.org/
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charity_Navigator

Charity Navigator website was down at the time of this post


EDIT 01-21-2010

This website was back up when I checked today.

END EDIT