Charitable Giving in Uncertain Times
As we approach the end of this year, I know that many of us are acutely aware of the economic crisis facing the US and, indeed, the world. Some of you are in companies that are downsizing, or have friends and family members who are already affected.
In my world, I am already seeing nonprofits who are in danger of having to close their doors. Our state has already instituted one round of budget cuts to the tune of $700 million, almost all of which had a direct impact on services for the needy. There is another round coming next month. Foundation endowments are down on the order of 30-35% and I'm hearing from funders that there will be cuts in their grantmaking for next year anywhere from 5%-30%.
These are hard times.
But they are times in which I would urge you, now more than ever, if you are able, to think about charitable giving. Your local charities need your help. The demand for their services is skyrocketing, just as their funding is drying up. This is a potentially disastrous combination.
So, here's my annual charitable giving post. If you are able to give, please consider giving what you can. Approximately 80% of all charitable giving in this country comes from individuals. Let's all pitch in during these uncertain times.
Some suggestions for you are below. In addition, as always, please feel free to add your favorite charities in the comments section. This post will be kept unlocked.
United States/Domestic
Food pantries throughout the country are under unbelievable strain. As families struggle with unemployment, rising fuel costs, and sometimes rising mortgage costs (if they had an ARM), food often becomes a "casualty."
America's Second Harvest is now called Feeding America. Under any name, it's a great anti-hunger organization. Their front page has a section where you can find your local food bank, if you want to donate to a food pantry locally.
In addition to the need for food, many basic human needs will go unmet this winter and coming year.
The Salvation Army does a lot to help in local communities. For example, in our community, they provide emergency fuel assistance for families who can't heat their homes.
United Way is another organization that provides great local leadership in many communities. Check yours out and see what emergency assistance funds they have put in place to help people in your community.
The forgotten disaster of 2008 is the damage done in Texas - particularly Galveston - by Hurricane Ike. Contributions to support rebuilding and displaced residents may be made to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
International
There continue to be disasters, war and ongoing, devastating needs throughout the world. A small handful of my favorite charities include:
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation
World Vision
Doctors Without Borders
Episcopal Relief and Development
the UN's World Food Program
UNICEF
Oxfam (working through partner organizations, as is their practice)
Mercy Corps
Save the Children
justgive.org is great website for purchasing "gift certificates" that the receiver can redeem at a charity of their choice. I particularly like this site because it has the largest number of charities, over 1,000,000 which means that people can easily find something local (or national) in an area they are interested in.
Orgs I support
Here are some of the organizations I'm supporting this holiday season, in addition to my local food bank, and fuel assistance fund:
On the Rise which provides support to women in crisis and in need of services that a lot of agencies won't touch for various reasons.
Heifer International because it is all about teaching a man to fish...
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center because they helped my friend J get better, and just generally do great work.
Southern Poverty Law Center because in spite of this recent election, we still have a long way to go against orgs like the KKK, and the SPLC is leading the charge to eliminate these hate groups.
YWCA Boston serving women and girls in a variety of ways.
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, my favorite AmeriCorps program.
In honor of my friend Ter, who died earlier this year, two of her favorite nonprofits:
The Yellowstone Wolf Project
The LA Opera
I hope you are all going to have wonderful holidays.
In my world, I am already seeing nonprofits who are in danger of having to close their doors. Our state has already instituted one round of budget cuts to the tune of $700 million, almost all of which had a direct impact on services for the needy. There is another round coming next month. Foundation endowments are down on the order of 30-35% and I'm hearing from funders that there will be cuts in their grantmaking for next year anywhere from 5%-30%.
These are hard times.
But they are times in which I would urge you, now more than ever, if you are able, to think about charitable giving. Your local charities need your help. The demand for their services is skyrocketing, just as their funding is drying up. This is a potentially disastrous combination.
So, here's my annual charitable giving post. If you are able to give, please consider giving what you can. Approximately 80% of all charitable giving in this country comes from individuals. Let's all pitch in during these uncertain times.
Some suggestions for you are below. In addition, as always, please feel free to add your favorite charities in the comments section. This post will be kept unlocked.
United States/Domestic
Food pantries throughout the country are under unbelievable strain. As families struggle with unemployment, rising fuel costs, and sometimes rising mortgage costs (if they had an ARM), food often becomes a "casualty."
America's Second Harvest is now called Feeding America. Under any name, it's a great anti-hunger organization. Their front page has a section where you can find your local food bank, if you want to donate to a food pantry locally.
In addition to the need for food, many basic human needs will go unmet this winter and coming year.
The Salvation Army does a lot to help in local communities. For example, in our community, they provide emergency fuel assistance for families who can't heat their homes.
United Way is another organization that provides great local leadership in many communities. Check yours out and see what emergency assistance funds they have put in place to help people in your community.
The forgotten disaster of 2008 is the damage done in Texas - particularly Galveston - by Hurricane Ike. Contributions to support rebuilding and displaced residents may be made to the Gulf Coast Ike Relief Fund at the Greater Houston Community Foundation.
International
There continue to be disasters, war and ongoing, devastating needs throughout the world. A small handful of my favorite charities include:
International Red Cross and Red Crescent Federation
World Vision
Doctors Without Borders
Episcopal Relief and Development
the UN's World Food Program
UNICEF
Oxfam (working through partner organizations, as is their practice)
Mercy Corps
Save the Children
justgive.org is great website for purchasing "gift certificates" that the receiver can redeem at a charity of their choice. I particularly like this site because it has the largest number of charities, over 1,000,000 which means that people can easily find something local (or national) in an area they are interested in.
Orgs I support
Here are some of the organizations I'm supporting this holiday season, in addition to my local food bank, and fuel assistance fund:
On the Rise which provides support to women in crisis and in need of services that a lot of agencies won't touch for various reasons.
Heifer International because it is all about teaching a man to fish...
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center because they helped my friend J get better, and just generally do great work.
Southern Poverty Law Center because in spite of this recent election, we still have a long way to go against orgs like the KKK, and the SPLC is leading the charge to eliminate these hate groups.
YWCA Boston serving women and girls in a variety of ways.
Notre Dame Mission Volunteers, my favorite AmeriCorps program.
In honor of my friend Ter, who died earlier this year, two of her favorite nonprofits:
The Yellowstone Wolf Project
The LA Opera
I hope you are all going to have wonderful holidays.