So we donate to a wide variety of not-for-profits every month

[conuly]

And also the ACLU, which is not tax deductible, but whatevs.

If I found we had $5 - $10 extra each month, where should I put it? Which organization should get this additional money? (It's okay to just mention a general "cause" and I'll find a local organization that handles that.)

Comments

[the_rck]

I'm big on food banks/pantries. They can do a lot with small amounts of money, and food security is pretty key for people being able to take steps to improve their lives and to become politically active.

[conuly]

Already done. We donate $10 to Cityharvest every month, and I also buy a Cityharvest ticket for $5 every time I see one at the checkout counter.

[zhelana]

Maybe a zoo or aquarium? Our aquarium lets you donate to either conservation or to letting veterans swim with the whale sharks.

[conuly]

Hadn't thought about animals, other than that we'll probably set up a recurring donation to the animal shelter once we finally adopt a dog. It's a really nice shelter. (That's different from this convo, though.)

[zhelana]

Yeah - according to emails from the aquarium, they don't make enough to feed the animals on ticket prices, and really rely on donors and large scale events (like weddings and bat mitzvahs) to pay for most things.

[adrian_turtle]

Have you considered your local domestic violence shelter. If your local shelter offends you (perhaps by turning away trans victims), consider donating to one further away. Equinox in Albany is great. RAINN also does good work.

There's a local homelessness-prevention organization I like. I don't know if you have a similar one in New York. You know how some people don't have any financial cushion, so one unexpected bill can push them into homelessness? This group helps them pay that one bill.

[conuly]

Domestic violence shelter, that's an idea.

[gingicat]

Wikipedia?

And here's where I work: www.jgateways.org

[conuly]

I certainly use Wikipedia a lot.

[mme-n-b.livejournal.com]

I donate everything I have extra to Advita. http://www.advitausa.org/ They provide access to medicine and treatments to cancer patients from poor countries. Mainly children, but they try very hard not to turn anyone away. The organization is run 100% by volunteers and the ones I know personally are honest and dedicated.

[conuly]

Thanks. I have so many things I think I ought to support that I decided a while back it's better to give them each a tiny bit than to sit around dithering over which to give more to.