Is it sustainable to donate money?

It's hard to believe that orphanage or some foundation maximize the money that are given to them as donation. Although, it's used mainly to their operation but still some of the funds might be questionable. I have also doubts that some foundation used the way of getting donations to cover up their greediness.

I think very little money gets passed onto where it needs to be, a lot of it absorbed by the company collecting the money

I'm sorry but I can't make any sense out of what you just said. Can you simplify your question?

I think there are certain organizations who really maximize the donations they get. However, i always prefer to donate goods rather than money, because i know that they are what are needed and i guess , they can't be misappropriated much.

I honestly do not donate much to foundations or agencies. I know some agencies who honestly use the donations that it can get. Given extra money, what I do is I help some people around me. An example is my day girl cleaner, laundry woman and some relatives.

I totally agree with bluespygirl (1168), I will help first the people who are close to me. But if I'm going to donate money to a foundation, I would rather help foundations that have sustainable livelihood programs. We can't just feed them, teach them how to earn money on their own. Specially the people living in the street, these people are begging for pennies or worst stealing from other people. These people are in poverty because they've lost hope to stand on their own, they don't have education, therefore it's too hard for them to find an opportunity to have a decent life. If they can withstand the heat of the sun and the pollution in the street everyday, I'm sure they can get through any livelihood training will be given to them. Educate them, the foundation can help them, evaluate and give recommendations to any company that would be willing to hire them for the skills they have acquired from the training. I think that's how we should fight poverty.

It would depend on the program. If the program took the money and used it to feed someone, they'd be hungry the next day, and would require additional money. But if the program instead purchased seeds or an animal that constantly provides for, or taught someone how to grow their own food, they'll never be hungry. I've heard of the Heifer project; your donations go to purchasing seeds to be grown into food or to animals like chicken, goats or cows. That's one of the projects that are teaching marginalized people (your term) to learn to take care of themselves.

We can't really. We have to trust in their ethics and history. I am sure there are ways to check into such things.

Not many of these charitable organisations are above board. I have my own Trust and I directly give to those in need.

If there is enough donation then the agency should now pursue its objectives. I am sure they already have programs to be followed in order to reach their goals.

To tell you frankly I use to donate the money for some charitable trust. But the day my Husband told me and it's report came on the newspaper how that trust misused the money they take as donation for their own use (going on tour, etc), I stop donating the money to charitable trust.

i don't trust agencies and donate money by giving to them, are there some agencies they just get donated money for themselves and people who are in needed can't get much donated money.

There are surely some supposedly charity organizations that did not use the donated monies that they received in the specified purpose nor in the right way. So we must make sure that the charities that we donate to are run properly and officially registered with the authorities. The charities must be transparent in how they use the monies and their accounts must be audited by reputable accountants. Although there are black sheep and bad apples, like everything else, it should not deter us from giving help to people who are direly in need. All that we have to do is to choose one or two charity agencies that we are sure that they are genuine and aboveboard. The people in need of assistance needs our generosity and compassion.

Well that is one of the questions pondering me also. Well i would suggest just to trust those with good past work and then only invest money. But on the other hand investing time is more valuable than money i guess. Well anyways hoping for the better do make best decisions. Trust your instincts!

There's a saying: Give a man a fish, he eats for a day. Teach a man to fish and he eats for life. I would give to a group that are giving people the tools for a better life. Help them dig wells for water or give them water purifying machines. Give them seeds to grow crops (and not those modified to produce non growing seeds like some companies do today.

We need to be very careful with the money that we give to charities. I like charities where you empower people ,so they can actually change their destiny for the better. In other words, teaching people how to fish instead of always giving them the fish. The U.S.A. is a very generous country and has given lots of money to many countries ,but most of these government officials are corrupted ,and do not distribute the wealth the way it should be. The main thing is to make sure that every child gets an education ,so every country should have plenty of schools and education should be mandatory. Also, bringing many industries and factories will provide plenty of employment opportunities and create a big middle class. When people become educated and prosperous there is no need for war or violence.

If you give regularly to a cause it shouldn't matter what they do with the money, now if they are misappropriating funds and are caught doing it then you should stop. We support a child through World Vision each month, my kids got to choose who she was and they picked somebody their own age so they could see her grow and we watch our kids. Giving isn't about just throwing money at something, its about getting involved.

I look up the organization and check to see if they are doing what they say they are. I mean I have lived through a disaster I saw where monies given to the Red Cross and AGAPE have gone so I feel safe giving to them.

Its a tough call. :) Out here, we pay taxes. The money is used to give homes to the poor. The problem is...the number of poor is more...so the government should be building multi storied complexes and giving a livable unit to each poor. Instead, it builds independent houses and gives it to the poor. Obviously there is bound to be resentment in slightly above poverty line people because they do not qualify. These poor then build more rooms and let them out to the remaining poor at exorbitant rents! Effectively, poverty remains, we have paid taxes for eradication of poverty but nothing much is achieved. Government could easily have built multi storied units and offered each unit on long term lease, after all nobody remains poor forever. Fortunes vary ..and everybody is guaranteed a few years under the sun in a century by the god himself. So if charity is done without proper thinking it is a waste and anti society. But if it is well thought out, it can be good. For example, you help a poor man get a house, but with a condition that when he becomes able to help another he starts helping, and ensures that he helps at least one person. This can be in the case of education loans, housing loans, and many other type of charities...including medical. If it is gifted away, it is injustice with a section of the society.

I consider myself a giving person, and I use to give to different organization but there are so many scammers out there actually using the names of reputable orgazination and that has just put a bad taste in my mouth for donating monies...I did donate to my President this last election compaign.