For the next wedding, graduation or other special celebration to which you are invited, you might have considered giving to charity instead of giving stuff. But which charity? Here are a few that are easy to find on the internet (especially helpful for those who need last-minute ideas), and that let the recipient direct the funds as they wish.
Small Children
Smaller children respond especially well to Heifer International. This well-known “teach a man to fish” charity is easy to understand and yet intriguing for both kids and adults. Heifer allows donors to give an animal, such as a heifer, a duck, flock of chicks, sheep, etc., to a needy family in one of 125 countries around the world. The recipient family learns to care for the animal, which produces food and usually enough surplus to provide a bit of income. When the animal reproduces, the family gives the offspring to a new recipient family, and so the circle of neighbor helping neighbor continues.
Heifer allows you to buy a specific animal in honor of someone. It also allows you to buy a gift card (electronic or printed) so that the recipient can choose their own animal. Kids love to go online and select an animal-and although a full heifer is $500, a flock of chicks is just $20. Find out more (like how to create a registry for others to choose when it’s time for your own special occassion) at www.heifer.org
Teachers and Other Adults
Having 5 teachers in my family, I can tell you they don’t want another mug this Christmas. Instead of a scented candle, how about a gift certificate to Donor’s Choose? Donor’s Choose skips the red tape and gets funds directly to classrooms. Classroom teachers can post requests for materials or projects. Their posting will include information about their school and the proposed lesson. Potential donors can search by keyword, zip code, project type or one of many other criteria to find a project to which they wish to contribute.
According to the Donor’s Choose web site (www.donorschoose.org), “A DonorsChoose.org gift certificate enables your recipient to fund project(s) of his/her choice and to receive the classroom acknowledgment. As the giver, you receive the tax deduction and can see the chosen proposals in your account. “
And like at Heifer International, you can create a gift registry of projects you would like others to fund.
Young Adults and Entrepreneurs
For the entrepreneurial types on your gift list, check out www.Kiva.org. Kiva works with partners in developing countries who make loans to local entrepreneurs trying to better their lives. The intermediaries screen loan applicants, oversee the loans and ensure repayment. In turn, Kiva posts the profiles of the local entrepreneurs on their web site, and allows a connection between people all over the world and the entrepreneurs in need of funding.
You can search the site to narrow down entrepreneurs by industry or by region of the globe. Personally, as some of my family grew up in the Dominican Republic, I wanted to support women who were sole breadwinners in their family. I found two that I’ve funded. One sells used clothing, which I also liked because it reused materials, which seemed environmentally wise.
As the gift giver, you can purchase Kiva gift certificates in multiples of $25. The recipient will be able to choose projects that appeal to them.
What other charities have you found that make great gifts?
