Charitable or philanthropic giving: What are your favorite causes?

[Zenlitened]

An instance of the "selfish atheist" meme in another thread got me to thinking... what are your favorite causes for charitable giving?

I'd widen the definition of charity a bit, beyond the IRS definition, to include political groups as well. Contributions to such groups may not be tax deductible, but supporting them, in my view, is very much a part of "making the world a better place."

My top two are the Human Rights Campaign and the Massachusetts Audubon Society -- both consider me a major donor, 'though I'm certainly no high-roller by anyone's standard of wealth. My local library and food pantry are at the top of my list as well. I also give a few dollars a year to Oxfam International, the ACLU, PFAW, Rosie's Place (a women's shelter in Boston) and some others.

At this stage in my life, for a number of reasons, "checkbook philanthropy" is really the only way I can give substantially. But that's not to diminish the very real need for hands-on participation.

What are some of your favorite causes, whether giving dollars or blood-sweat-and-tears? :)

[Taxloss]

1. I am a member of Amnesty International

and donate a fixed sum to them every month, as well as sending letters and donating more during appeals. When I was a Christian, I was an organiser for Christian Aid; after I left faith I volunteered for Oxfam and still give them money. I donate all usable items I no longer need to Oxfam or Crusaid, a UK AIDS charity. I am also a Friend of the Adbusters Foundation, a not-for-profit body dedicated to defending the mental environment and rolling back pollution and corporate hegemony.

[onager]

2. Some of mine

The ACLU. Skeptics Society. Freedom From Religion Foundation. CSICOP (Committee for Scientific Investigation of Claims of the Paranormal). Planned Parenthood. Must send some money to Americans United soon...

When I have stuff to donate, I usually take it to a local chain of thrift shops called Out Of The Closet. They help at-risk gay teens, among other things. Though I'm not gay myself, I think they're doing valuable work and the people are always nice when I donate things.

Besides, they have a lot of competition here in L.A. from the Jeebus Crowd: Deseret Thrift Stores (run by the Mormons), Salvation Army, etc. etc.

[beam me up scottie]

3. Wow.

You really do put your money where your mouth is!

You must be one of those "good" atheists.
I don't qualify for that description according to some. :mad:

[Gelliebeans]

6. you are one

of the "best" atheists I know BMUS :thumbsup:

[beam me up scottie]

9. Thank you Gellie!

So are you! Kind of blows that old stereotype of the evil atheist right out of the water, doesn't it?
(it will help us when we finally take over the world, the minions just don't need to know about it yet)

[Zenlitened]

5. Yeah, Americans United is one I need to look into.

PFAW (People For the American Way) overlaps what they do, but Americans United seems to have the greater clout these days. I wonder if some of these groups have considered merging?

[progressoid]

4. Current and past donations to:

Planned Parenthood, Greenpeace, ACLU, WWF, local public radio. Most cothing etc goes to the disabled vets. But we also give to some religious orgs like the Salvation Army & Goodwill (all of the thrift stores here are god based). I kinda have a soft spot for Goodwill from my college days - I donated an old car to them a few years ago (bonus: tax write-off).

Wife used to give to the United Way and American Cancer Society through her employer.

However, recently we have suspended all $ donations due to an empty wallet. Just stopped monthly donations to Planned Parenthood last month :-(


edited: The Red Cross has recieved a couple gallons of my blood too.

[Gelliebeans]

7. when I am able to donate

I like to send money greenpeace, planned parenthood, WWF and of course my local home for abused children. Rancho Domisitos as it's called will take money but they have asked for donations of toys clothing and furniture, so when I can't give cash I donate furniture or clothing. Its not much but I feel like I am helping a little.

[dwckabal]

8. A little out of the mainstream

but worthy organizations, nonetheless:

The Skeptics Society
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund
Friends of the Salisbury (MD) Zoo (I do their website as well)

Volunteering for Coastal Cleanup
Shopping (and donating) at Goodwill and Salvation Army
Walking for March of Dimes

[beam me up scottie]

10. What a sad state of affairs

that comic books need to have a legal defense fund...

[GOPFighter]

11. A few others...

Southern Poverty Law Center and gun control groups (though their ineffectiveness bums me).

[Hamlette]

12. Planned parenthood, the local food bank, legal services for the poor

and disabled are my three biggest, next to the dem party. We try to give 10% of our gorss salary. If you include politics, we give more than 10% but we're lucky, we can afford it.

My mom gives to Southern Poverty Law and until recently, she sent a check each month to Jeffords for his reelection fund because he switced parties even though we don't live in his state. My mom's the best. (She recently "gave in" and bought HBO so she could watch Bill Maher. How many 81 year olds do you know who watch Jon Stewart and Bill Maher religiously?)

[Kolesar]

13. Rails-to-Trails Conservancy

I figure that RTC is at a formative moment when many miles of rails are being abandoned. In 20 years, there will not be so many to pick up.

I give 5 times as much money to political candidates as I give to charities. I fell like I am in a fight-or-perish situation. I have donated to the DNC, DFA, and the Sierra Club in significant amounts in the last few years. I do donate to United Way and hunger centers.

[Discord]

14. Well, I've always donated my extras to

Salvation Army or Big Brother-Big Sister.

But thats about all the charity I give other than the attempt to awaken people from their lifelong slumbers... does that count?

[Warpy]

15. I'm glad Rosie's Place is still around

I gave to them when I lived in Boston. They're great.

Today, since I've been unemployed for over a year, my giving is on the parsimonious side. After the tsunami, I donated my month's food budget to Doctors Without Borders. Other than that, I've been going through everything I've accumulated and giving the better stuff to the local thrift shop supporting services for the retarded. I've been donating huge bags of books to the library for their annual sale. Shabby linens go to the Humane Association, where there's a need for bedding for discarded pets. My monetary gifts aren't there, but my others are.

[RebelOne]

16. I donate to animal rescue groups. n/t

[NMMNG]

17. I donate to

People for the American Way, The Red Cross, Planned Parenthood, The Nature Conservancy, my local library system, my local volunteer fire department and the Human Rights Campaign. I'm also planning on seeing if there are any organized charities that work to end bullying amongst kids and if so I'll send them a big check.

[Commie Pinko Dirtbag]

18. This one.

Americans can donate too. (hint, hint!)

http://www.saude-crianca.org.br/english_site/home_eng.php

I've also donated money to free software projects. And DU.

[Twillig]

19. Sunshine Foundation

http://www.sunshinefoundation.org/

[RebelOne]

20. I also donate clothes and household goods

to the American Kidney Fund. My sister died of kidney cancer 3 years ago, so I try to help this charity out as much as possible.

[leftofthedial]

21. I give about 12 hours a week to a mentoriing program for

at-risk kids

I also give about 12 hours a week to a music and creativity mentoring program for adults.