*frowns*

[conuly]

I don't know what's wrong. I slept something like 14 hours today, I'm still a bit out of it. Guess I'm a little sick. *shrugs*

Anyway, on the topic of the tsunammi, which you've noticed I've avoided talking about... My mom, every time there's a disaster, she makes sure to mention that the Red Cross is Not To Be Trusted, that there've been horror stories about the Red Cross helping out and then asking for payment after, that they don't spend as much in areas as they should, that sort of thing. I don't know if that's true, and, really, it doesn't make a difference. She actually wants to help out with the disaster, she's not going to donate to the Red Cross, if anybody has any other reputable charities for her, that'd be wonderful.

Thanks.

Edit: Better question, does anybody know where I can find out how much a charity gives to it's intended recipients out of every dollar it recieves?

Comments

[mortaine.livejournal.com]

My friend Andy, who has been to Indonesia several times, including during the political unrest in 1998, says that Doctors Without Borders is a good organization; I guess he doesn't recognize many of the other org's that have cropped up recently to help out.

I donate to Plan USA (http://www.planusa.org) through a child sponsorship-- they have a good program and an emergency child relief fund to help kids during emergencies like this (Well, usually much smaller emergencies, actually). They also have a program to end child trafficking-- which is going to be a HUGE problem with the number of children who just became separated from their families or orphaned, and who are basically lost, traumatized, and at serious risk for being taken by traffickers. Plan USA is not a "convert to Christianity and get food" type of organization.

I have never had a problem with the Red Cross, and soldiers I've spoken to say it's a great organization, but who knows if that's always the case, right? I'd say that claim of your mother's probably deserves more research, to be honest.

ALL non-profit organizations in the US must disclose their financial statement, including what percentage of their money goes towards "the mission," whatever that mission be. 70% towards the mission is considered good-- anything less is really too much overhead. 85% or greater is excellent.

[conuly]

I'd say that claim of your mother's probably deserves more research, to be honest.

Oh, probably, but it's not like it's the only charity around, is it? So right or wrong, she can still donate without me having to research the Red Cross. I wouldn't even know what to look for.