How to be good on $10 a day

Dontate your time says:

06:47am | 11/02/10

Sadly, I am cynical about giving money to charities. You would be making a real difference in donating your time. Work less (earn $10 less a day?) and volunteer at any number of places around Australia that provide food for the homeless. Or do what I did… save your money and go to Africa. I spent 4 weeks teaching in a school in Kenya last year and SAW the difference I made in the future of the children I spent time with. It cost me $10,000, mind you - but was worth it. Good luck in making yourself live a more guilt-free life in this lucky country of ours!

T.Chong says:

06:48am | 11/02/10

The coolest (karma wise) charity around would probaly be “Starlight” or similar that try to make the sickest of kids happy.
The Salvos and St Vinnies also have pretty good reputations when it comes to doing the right thing with donations.
(And yes, we donate to all three)

Rachel says:

08:54am | 11/02/10

Can I suggest Anglicare?  You can see their balance sheets etc. at http://www.anglicare.org.au/about-us if you are worried about what is spent on what. I’ve seen the Canberra branch in Reid do wonderful things. The staff and volunteers are kind and have a helping hand for everyone .

Christine says:

09:23am | 11/02/10

The MS Society is severly underfunded.  18000 people in Australia have MS, but hardly anyone knows what the disease is about. Even better, instead of donating $10, sign up to one of their fundraising efforts (MS Read-a-thon, Brisbane Brissie to the Bay bike ride or whatever is equivalent in your state etc). http://www.msaustralia.org.au/

Youngcare is a Queensland based charity that provides residental care facilities for young people with high care requirements that would normally end up in aged care facilities. It was started by a guy who’s wife was diagnosed with MS, and needed to go into an aged care home as he couldn’t look after her anymore, and he couldn’t stand the thought of her going into that kind of facility at such a young age. http://www.youngcare.com.au/

NCG says:

09:35am | 11/02/10

Kiva is my charity of choice, as a micro credit organisation it allows people to fund others business ventures in the third world. No interest is applied, and money is repaid in monthly instalments, which can then be loaned to another party. Frankly it’s more appealing to me as I’d rather give people the opportunity to better themselves, their community and follow an entrepreneurial dream rather than just receiving endless handouts. It’s the only organisation that I know of to try and break the cycle of poverty.
http://www.kiva.org

Rhiannon says:

10:02am | 11/02/10

Thanks for all these recommendations. To the first person who suggests ‘donate your time’, this is something I’ve tried to do many times (and have done), but ironically many organisations seem to be swamped with people willing to volunteer. You’d be surprised at how many times I’ve asked about volunteering never to have gotten a response.

SK says:

10:04am | 11/02/10

Can I suggest ‘To Write Love On Her Arms’? It’s a charity that aims to reduce the youth suicide rate.

Jeff says:

10:06am | 11/02/10

We all too often convince ourselves we (first world countries) don’t have enough. It’s only when we see with our own eyes and understand the need that is all around us (here and overseas), that we gain perspective. I want my life to be more than accumulating wealth. I want to be a generous contributor to addressing the genuine need of others. It’s not the government’s responsibility, it is my actions and attitudes.

Some suggestions - World Vision, Compassion, Free to be kids (orphanage in India)

John T says:

10:10am | 11/02/10

I don’t give as much as you Rhiannon but do donate regularly to a number of international, national and local organisations.  I sometimes have misgivings about things such as how much of the money collected is used for administrative purposes but don’t let this stop me.  Financial reports (like the Anglicare one which Rachel links to)  give some guide while each state and the ACT (though not the NT) has an agency (usually part of the gambling regulator!)  which is responsible for overseeing charities : eg NSW http://www.olgr.nsw.gov.au/charitable_info_investigating.asp. 

As for a suggested donation recipient. Wht about a health related charity such as The Royal Flying Doctor Service, The Brain Foundation or the research fund of a hospital.

Suzie says:

10:28am | 11/02/10

The Activ Foundation provides support and employment for people with disabilities. It helps these people contribute to society in a meaningful way giving them a sense of purpose and is just wonderful.
http://www.activ.asn.au/

Amber says:

11:11am | 11/02/10

I recommend the “Homicide Victim Support Group” in your state.

They are a registered charity who provide support, councelling, trial assistance and many other functions to the family members of homicide victims.

Unfortuanately this charity is mostly unknown until they are needed. I personally have lost a family member due to homicide and this group has helped my family and i out in many ways.

buddingphilanthropist says:

11:32am | 11/02/10

A few suggestions for Rhiannon and anyone interested in donating, or donating more -

1) The reticience about donating towards admin expenses is unjustified. These should be kept to a reasonable percentage of the charity’s operating budget but charities need to be able to cover these expenses to build capacity within the organisation and also engage in vital future planning. This is a popular idea that needs to be challenged!

2) Rhiannon, please consider donating to some ‘unsexy’ charities. Charities like the Cancer Council and particularly Starlight Express receive a significant percentage of Australia’s philanthropic dollar, mainly because they are an instant feelgood (and safe!) option.

Simmo says:

12:17pm | 11/02/10

I hear the Prot Adelaide Football Club could do with some charitable donations at the moment…. jokes aside, any charity that provides support to young children who are at risk of slipping through the cracks in society is always a worthy cause

Super D says:

12:29pm | 11/02/10

It’s hard to go past Legacy as a charity.  Families who’ve lost servicemen and women, fathers, mothers, sisters and brothers deserve our gratitude for their sacrifice and our ongoing support.

The soldiers don’t choose which wars they fight and die in, they just obey the orders they are given whether they agree with the politics behind them or not.

JE says:

01:17pm | 11/02/10

The RSPCA is a fantastic organisation to donate to. They advocate for and give a voice to animals who can’t speak for themselves.

Kyle says:

01:40pm | 11/02/10

I would suggest the RFDS, they have fantastic programs for the immunisation and health care in communities around the country and as we all know they rescue and fly sick and injured people to health services. Hey without them my son probably would not be here today, Alice Springs doesn’t have a Neonatal Unit so it is off to Adelaide you go when Antenatal and Neonatal help is required. You don’t realise how good we have it in the “city” until you are ill in the “outback” and need help! The staff, nurses, doctors, pilots (who can fly in almost any weather) are all amazing caring people who are a credit to their professions.

Malone says:

01:44pm | 11/02/10

The Warwick Foundation. This is a charity that helps support young people with cancer, 18-35year olds. As a man who had testicular cancer I can attest to the fact that the system is much better equipped to handle childrens needs, or those over 40. Not much fun being 22, stuck in a hospital, after having moved back home to have ya mother waiting on you hand and foot.

The Warwick Foundation sends out care packs to these young people living with cancer. These help.

When thinking of cancer charities, please don’t think that children’s charities are the only one’s ‘worth’ giving to. There is a lot of need out there, and all charities are worthy of our attention. Thanks

Patrice says:

02:12pm | 11/02/10

Hi R,

I suggest Peta, WSPA, Monikas Doggie rescue and the Cat Protection Society.

stephen says:

03:07pm | 11/02/10

Medicin sans frontieres is worthwhile.
I think also there are various ways to be charitable.
It doesn’t have to be money. Can be time, or affection or a phone-call.

stephen says:

03:12pm | 11/02/10

Hell, I nearly forgot : these kids selling the Big Issue on city street-corners.
5 bucks a pop, and a good investment.

Jenni says:

04:01pm | 11/02/10

agreed with Stephen on both counts

Medicin Sans Frontieres (Doctores Without Borders) go into war zones and disaster areas and offer medical help to everybody and anybody who needs it, regardless of race, gender, politics, nationality, etc - fabulous organisation!

and i like the Big Issue because a set portion of the cover price goes DIRECTLY to the (usually homeless) person that you buy it off.

Stefan Maguran says:

04:13pm | 11/02/10

Help Outsider Artists
http://www.outsider-festival.com

Marnie says:

06:00pm | 11/02/10

Donate to the RSPCA - the work they do is fantastic and very deserving of your $10.

Justin says:

06:37pm | 11/02/10

I’m with those supporting the RSPCA. I support them in both a volunteer and financial capacity.

Why them? Cause I’m a miserable prick who hates people. They’re all corrupt and self serving and undeserving, and for the few that aren’t, well they’re too rare to even worry about.

Animals on the other hand, we screw them over left right and centre like they’re our posessions. Like they and their lives are meaningless and exist only for our pleasure and entertainment. Bullshit to that, Animal Welfare is where my money is going.

Mick Skinner says:

08:33pm | 11/02/10

I’d suggest the Smith Family. Aussie and boring. They kit out little kids with uniforms, pencils etc so they can fit in at school.

Also, the people at the top are not nutjobs.

As opposed to many of the organisations previously mentioned.

Deap Froat says:

08:53pm | 11/02/10

I prefer to support charities that are all about prevention rather than cure.  I have just started donating to an not-for-profit called Western Chances which was started by ex-Victorian Premier Steve Bracks’ wife Terry.  They give scholarships to talented and motivated young people in Melbourne’s western suburbs who are financially disadvantaged.  The scholarships can be for simple things like music and dance lessons to help the young people follow their passion - http://www.westernchances.org.au/

Lucy says:

12:13am | 12/02/10

I’m with Patrice - Monika’s Doggy Rescues and RSPCA.  You could also look into supporting some local arts groups, which have significant community engagement, such as Kickstart Arts.

I donate to two charities regularly - the RSPCA and Oxfam - yet I’m a student living on a slim budget.  I still have charities that knock on my door and are really pushy in trying to get me to sign up for ‘just $10/week’.  They generally answer with a dismissive ‘that’s great’ when I say that I regularly donate to two chosen charities and that’s all I can afford, and then tell me that $10/week is not much and I should give to the Heart Foundation/Red Cross/Cancer Council etc. as well.  It doesn’t help a charities cause when they harass people for money and make them feel guilty. 

Additionally, a month ago the Red Cross knocked on my door trying to get me to sign up for a regular direct debit, yet when I said I couldn’t afford $10 a week (I had to qualify that for her too - apparently she didn’t believe me) but could instead make a small one-off cash donation, she said that they no longer accepted cash donations. Crazy

Samesy says:

08:47am | 12/02/10

I suggest donating to “Childcare Kitgum Servants” - This organisation was started by an Australian woman named Irene who sold her house in North Sydney in 1991 and moved to Kitgum, Uganda in the middle of the war to start taking care of Orphans under a Mango tree while living in a caravan…today she clothes, feeds, provides medicine & educates over 10,000 children at her school and relies solely on donations to keep it running.

My sister has just arrived back from 3 weeks in Africa and was so moved she also wants to move there for a year to make a difference, we are going to hold a fundraiser in Oct for this charity in addition to the children we sponsor.  Irene has a fasinating story if you would like to know more pls visit the website -  http://www.cks.org.au/

Just shows what a difference one woman can make Rhiannon!  Well done

James says:

10:39am | 13/02/10

Suggest you start by shortlisting things you really care about and then donate to those charities that will address your feelings.  As rightly said, donation doesn’t need to be only money, it can take many others forms as long as the recipient and the donor gets fulfillment out of it. 

However if you want to donate and not spend any money from your pocket, i would suggest you take a look at http://www.auscause.com.au/ .  These guys offers a very unique fund raising solution.

Emma Hobbs says:

10:24am | 19/02/10

Rhiannon can I say that you are doing a really great job in doing this. My frinds say that giving to charities is too overwhelming and they just don’t know where to start. But $10.00 is sometimes all it takes to make a difference. $10.00 can buy a mosquito net to save a child or families lives from Malaria. Malaria kills more people per year than HIV/AIDS. Every 30 seconds a child under 5 dies of malaria. Not just in Africa, but Central & South America; India, Asia and South Pacific. Global Concern is an Australian Organisation that has been around for 30 years making a difference without all the pens,badges etc. When you visit Global Concern they give you the option to buy a mosquito net for only $10.00 and also see amazing videos on this cause and what Global Concern is doing. Otherwise check out my video on Youtube Malaria NET TEN that I created for this cause.  It is something I strongly believe in as I am a Registered Nurse who has witnessed the horror of Malaria on all ages - it is one of the major causes of poverty.

Bernadette Young says:

06:21am | 12/12/10

I suggest looking further at the work that Toby Ord and the rest of the group at Giving What We Can do - analysis of the cost effectiveness of giving: how much bang do you get for your buck?

$10 will save 2 years of life for those affected by parasitic infections in rural african, by deworming 20 children:
http://www.givingwhatwecan.org/resources/recommended-charities.php

Best of luck!

PS Toby Ord is actually Australian, as is Peter Singer who also champions the cause of giving more. Looks like an Australian trait!