Getting Started

I'm hoping to compile a dynamic list of 10 charities that I consider to be worth a look. With thousands of charitable causes to choose from, some people don't give because picking a recipient is a time-consuming task. This blog hopes to do some of that research and make it as easy as possible for everyone to give.

To start, take a look at www.DonorsChoose.org. This is a great direct-action site that matches public school teachers in need with potential donors. Individual teachers apply for funds to carry out small-scale projects that will positively affect their students, usually asking for $100 - $1000 dollars. Donors contribute as much as they like, and will be kept informed of their donations' impact in the classroom via photos, letters, etc.

I particularly like this charity because it infuses money directly into a project of the donor's choosing (reading, music/arts, etc). Unlike government spending and bond measures (where nobody knows who makes the decisions about where the money should go), nearly all of the donor's money ends up in the specific program they have chosen to support. DonorsChoose.org generally asks for 15% (but as much as 25%) of the donation for operating costs, though they claim that some of this is made up for in discounts they can get with their vendors. They have received 4 stars from CharityNavigator.