Many charitable causes seem impersonal because they’re so huge with so many layers of bureaucracy. You send in the money and never have a clue as to how your $$$ have directly helped anyone.
Kiva.org is different. To quote from their website: “Kiva lets you lend to a specific entrepreneur in the developing world — empowering them to lift themselves out of poverty.” Note the word “lend.” Whomever you lend money to, repays your loan. Then you can re-contribute the amount you put in to them again if they need it, loan the funds to others or withdraw the funds. Your money can do good over and over again.
And because Kiva’s so in-scale, you feel as if you’re really helping someone out directly. Maybe that’s because, in fact, you really are. For example, my son chose to “lend” money to Kiva for me for Mother’s Day. The criteria he used for selecting who he wanted the money to go to was that they be moms. Now, I can read all about the recipients and keep up with their progress — even email them if I choose to do so.
Check out www.kiva.org
Many people should consider making a charitable contribution prior to year end because of the tax advantages of giving to a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. There are many good causes from which to choose and, if you don’t already have a favorite, talk to your friends or seek some advice from someone you trust. But, be careful. Many charities are more “hype” than “help,” so look behind the empathy-provoking photos to find out how much of your contribution dollar will fund real work versus going to cover the administrative, overhead and fundraising costs of the organization.
Kiva is a great organization.
I was just having a conversation with someone yesterday about loans for small business ventures in third world countries. The reference was from a few years ago, but only $15 was needed to buy seeds and similar products to start an agricultural business that they could continue year after year. In this case, by the way, it was requested to be for women only, as the men in this country tended to work for very little pay and then drink away or otherwise waste the money - leaving the women with little to nothing. (Just FYI). I will definitely look into Kiva!
I’ve added the ebay Giving Works charitable list to my “tithe quota”. It lets you donate a portion of your sales on ebay to an extensive list of charities. Nice way to give online. Treats for Troops is another good one.
Everyone has their favorite non-profit and I love hearing about ones I don’t know . The one I am working with now is fabulous– and if you want to feel like a venture capitalist for a great cause consider a donation to Prevention International: No Cervical Cancer (PINCC). Basically, a volunteer team of docs, nurses , med students and regular folks, all volunteers, take a mobile unit into parts of Africa and Central America, and supply education, diagnosis and treatment to women in a single visit. cost: $15. per person. They are doing this all on a shoe string, and could use an infusion of funds so the founders do not “wear out”. Heading the team in Kay Taylor, a recently retired OB/GYN who had an idea and is making it work. Check out the website www.pincc.org. In two years, with no office, no grants, they have seen thousands of women and prevented tons of cervical cancer which needlessly kills 300,000 women a year… with Heinz vinegar, no pap smear necessary. Any volunteer time out there? they could use office help, more volunteers who want to Uganda, Nicaragua etc… a totally different way to travel.