NPR's All Things Considered had an interesting piece on e-charity. Organizations are becoming more creative and interactive in how they solicit donations. Given that helping those in need is an oft stated objective during the holiday season, here are some suggestions.
DonorsChoose.org is a site where you can help provide teachers with resources for projects that would otherwise be unavailable. According to the site, teachers submit project proposals for materials or experiences their students need to learn. These ideas become classroom reality when concerned individuals, whom we call Citizen Philanthropists, choose projects to fund.
The American Cancer Society maintains an interactive, multimedia site called SharingHope.tv.
One of the more intriguing sites is called Kiva.org. Many of you have probably heard of the concept of microfinancing, the founder of which, Dr. Muhammad Yunus, was awarded the most recent Nobel Peace Prize. Kiva is a site that allows you to fund a microlending project by choosing it directly. It's kind of like sponsoring a child, except you're sponsoring a business. And they pay you the money back, within 6-12 months. (Microlending repayment rates are over 99 pct., significantly higher than the repayment rate to commercial banks). And due to the nature of microlending, you don't have to put forth much money.
And of course, here's a pitch for a few local charities I support...
-Glens Falls Area Youth Center.
-Big Brothers/Big Sisters of the Southern Adirondacks.
-Warren/Washington County Homeless Youth Coalition.
-Family Service Association
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