Freethought & Rationalism Archive

Apikorus · 01-02-2003, 04:09 PM

My preferred charity is Oxfam. It is actually a confederation of a dozen local organizations (follow links to Oxfam America). They do some very nice work in providing assistance to grassroots groups, promoting self-reliance by funding local initiatives. They accumulate a lot of experience knowing what does and doesn't work that way.

They also do a very good job of spending their money on the needy, as opposed to themselves. According to p. 38 of Oxfam America's 2001 Annual Report, 67% of their funds went to active programs and 13.5% to future program reserves. Only about 20% went to fundraising, recruitment, and management/administration. I doubt you'll find a major charity which does as well. Check out the annual reports, if they are provided. I think the percentage of your dollar which actually gets applied in the field is an important figure of merit.

Vinnie · 01-03-2003, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Peter Kirby
Toto, I had no idea that money from the Salvation Army was spent lobbying for discrimination. If that is true, that is very sad.

Ditto on that.

Vinnie

Fr.Andrew · 01-03-2003, 12:51 PM

(Peter Kirby): Does anyone have anything against the United Way? I am open to suggestions here.
(Fr Andrew): The United Way allows more autonomy than does the Salvation Army. Some UW chapters have stopped contributions to the Boy Scouts, for instance, because they (the BSA) run afoul of anti-discrimination policy...other chapters turn a blind eye and continue to fund intolerance...and some have straddled the fence by offering their contributors the option of earmarking funds specifically to charities that don't discriminate.

Excellent resource, btw. Your link...thanks!

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01-02-2003, 04:09 PM	#11
Apikorus Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Chicago Posts: 1,396	My preferred charity is Oxfam. It is actually a confederation of a dozen local organizations (follow links to Oxfam America). They do some very nice work in providing assistance to grassroots groups, promoting self-reliance by funding local initiatives. They accumulate a lot of experience knowing what does and doesn't work that way. They also do a very good job of spending their money on the needy, as opposed to themselves. According to p. 38 of Oxfam America's 2001 Annual Report, 67% of their funds went to active programs and 13.5% to future program reserves. Only about 20% went to fundraising, recruitment, and management/administration. I doubt you'll find a major charity which does as well. Check out the annual reports, if they are provided. I think the percentage of your dollar which actually gets applied in the field is an important figure of merit.

01-03-2003, 12:51 PM	#13
Fr.Andrew Senior Member Join Date: May 2002 Location: Betsy's Bluff, Maine Posts: 540	(Peter Kirby): Does anyone have anything against the United Way? I am open to suggestions here. (Fr Andrew): The United Way allows more autonomy than does the Salvation Army. Some UW chapters have stopped contributions to the Boy Scouts, for instance, because they (the BSA) run afoul of anti-discrimination policy...other chapters turn a blind eye and continue to fund intolerance...and some have straddled the fence by offering their contributors the option of earmarking funds specifically to charities that don't discriminate. Excellent resource, btw. Your link...thanks!

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