What is a good charity?

In my opinion, there are a lot of good charities and a lot of bad charities. Good charities give the money to those who need it, while bad charities are either poorly managed or just rip people off. Of course, unless one performs research, it is not always easy to tell the difference between the two.

Here is an article I found that talks about making a charity better

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23715656/

Additionally, there are websites available that gather information about charities and help people determine the good from the bad

Charity Guide

http://www.charityguide.org/volunteer/charityratings.htm

Charity Navigator

http://www.charitynavigator.org/?gclid=CM7j_7Gb25QCFQKaFQodkAnakg

I would encourage anyone to check out the charity they support just to confirm for yourself.

It is imperative that we give money to the organizations that do good work for those that need it.

Last 5 posts in Topeka News

TransformTopeka on the Jim Cates show - November 18th, 2008
Heartland Visioning revises "harsh" language in the Draft Plan - November 14th, 2008
Thank you to Valley Park NIA - October 30th, 2008
What is TransformTopeka about? - October 27th, 2008
TransformTopeka Contest - What I love about Topeka is... - October 22nd, 2008

3 Responses to “What is a good charity?”

Alissa Sheley

July 26th, 2008 at 8:48 am

Thanks for the links, Ryan. They are very interesting, but I’d like to see something on a more local/regional scale … if it exists.
Like planning for my retirement, I prefer to diversify my giving to a variety of charities, using a variety of “investment vehicles”. I’ve got some donations automatically withdrawn from my paycheck, others I support by donating artwork for their fund-raising auction events, and others I just give my time to by helping them with their promoting/marketing or attending their events.
At the end of the day, I don’t judge a person by who they give to or what charities they support most. But by the fact that they are giving (or not giving), period. In my eyes, giving back to your community is part of your civic responsibility, and is just as important as voting. : )

rkidgig

July 26th, 2008 at 11:04 am

I agree. Part of the issue for a lot of people is they don’t know. My perception is that it is important to give money to the charities who get the money to where it is supposed to go.
As far as a local level, there is not a group or website that I am aware of the educates people about charities.
Everyone needs to give time or money we have an obligation to those who have given before us and those who will give after us.

Travis Gooden

July 26th, 2008 at 11:38 am

List of Topeka Charities

http://www.charity-charities.org/charities/KS/Topeka.html