Year-End Donations
Dec. 31, 2007
When looking to make year-end charitable contributions, I ask myself this question:
What organization is doing a really good job that either has little publicity or is very new?The reason why I ask this is so that I get more bang for my bucks. There are large organizations that will not miss my donation. There are small ones that will put the money to unique uses that would not be funded otherwise.
That's why I don't give to United Way or the Salvation Army. These are large, successful organizations that will meet their budgets without me. But some small, struggling organization really does need my money. It is not well known. It is on very few people's list to send $50 to.
For them, a $1,000 or more donation makes a difference.
I give from after-tithe money, which goes to my local congregation.
A good choice is any outfit that has made a big difference in your life or the life of someone close to you. Ask a relative about such an organization.
One that I give to sinks water wells in African villages. One well will provide water for 1,000 people for decades. That's a gift that keeps on giving.
Another great project is Plumpy'nut. It's a peanut- based food given to starving children. The food doesn't require refrigeration. It's high in protein. It's cheap. Mothers walk for a day once a month to get a container. It saves lots of lives. It's a new product.