Saint Lincoln of Illinois

Speaker

This is a continuation of the 500 pennies thread from last month, because some people thought it would be fun to do monthly.

Basically, people suggest different charities that are worthy of support. Once we have a goodish sized list people vote for the charity to which they'd like to donate money. However, by voting each voter pledges to give a donation of $5 (or more, but we don't need to know how much) to the overall vote winner.

seabass

My vote is for the X-Prize foundation, promoting almost practical innovation in science and engineering through large cash prizes. The current competition is getting a rover to the moon.

Qingu

http://www.wfp.org/english/

People shouldn't be starving in 2008.

Speaker

Do they have any kind of breakdown of how much money goes into administrative overhead Qingu?

I have a friend how works at the U.N. and keeps telling me horror stories about the bureaucracy.

Qingu

Speaker wrote: »

Do they have any kind of breakdown of how much money goes into administrative overhead Qingu?

I have a friend how works at the U.N. and keeps telling me horror stories about the bureaucracy.

I honestly don't know and that's been a big concern of mine. I like them because they make a point of investing in infrastructure and supporting local farmers (as opposed to many food charities that ship poor countries food, thus ruining the local economies while fattening up the shipping industry). But it's the U.N. so I imagine needless red tape is a big problem.

Speaker

I found these websites to help check out charities, whether they are legitimate, and how well they function:

The Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

Charity Watch

Canadian Government Registry of Charities