Craig Newmark of Craigslist (dot) org now lives outside his comfort zone as he's emerged himself in the world of philanthropy. In a conference sponsored by The Guardian, Newmark praised the work he's seen done by smaller nonprofits and wants the world to be able to easily access the best nonprofit organizations so that charitable giving can be done responsibly. He is empowering donors, journalists, and featured organizations.
Currently, Newmark's website, Craigconnects (dot) org, relies on three organizations that provide details about the effectiveness of thousands of nonprofits.
Newmark invites the world to become involved. Find ways to communicate your charity's awesomeness. Champion a cause you believe in. Responsible giving means effective empowerment.
(See Newmark's presentation at The Guardian Activate conference here.)
The East Meets West Foundation implements sustainable solutions in addressing poverty in Vietnam and Southeast Asia. Education, health care, clean water and sanitation, and infrastructure are all areas given attention. The organization also operates two orphanages where children receive a full education, job training and skills to ease them into society as young adults. Besides building schools and making sure 5,000 children are in classrooms, East Meets West actively fights against child sex trafficking.
One the health care front, the Breath of Life program develops clinical solutions in tackling infant mortality. And a dental program set up by East Meets West is often the first time a child ever sees a dentist.
"As I was waiting for the program to begin, I was shocked to see people using branches for crutches, being pushed in wheelbarrows and crawling. One wheelchair was not enough. I just felt someone had to come and help." --Richard St. Denis.
Richard St. Denis survived a skiing accident but forever lost his ability to walk. He didn't lose his mobility and through his World Access Project he provides wheelchairs to impoverished people in Mexico. St. Denis' organization also teaches new wheelchair users how to make the most of their new found mobility. World Access Project hosts three annual sports camps around Mexico.
"During the camps participants have the opportunity to meet others who use wheelchairs. They share their experiences, feelings and concerns. They make new friends, share their lives, help each other, and develop a support system." World Access Project Website
All donations go straight to the people World Access Project serves. No board or staff member receives a salary. Read about the organization's "Pay It Forward" ideas on the website.
The First Response Team of America rushed to help after the April tornado disaster in the Southeast. The aftermath of 200 tornadoes across 14 states left many lives in ruin. The First Response Team vigilantly surveys weather reports so they know where catastrophe has the potential to strike.
Founder Tad Agoglia recently told CNN what his team brings to rescue and relief efforts:
"We have huge lighting systems and rubble cameras for search and rescue. We've got cranes and trucks to remove the debris from the road. We've got the (generators) to power up emergency rooms, nursing homes, shelters. We've got just about every type of cutting tool known to mankind -- plasmas cutters, concrete saws, metal saws, wood saws -- anything that you need to get through an area to get to the people that need help."
"TechSoup.org has a catalog of more than 450 products generously donated by a growing roster of 44 technology corporations, including industry leaders such as Microsoft, Adobe, Cisco, Intuit, and Symantec. To date, these partners have made more than U.S. $2 billion in product donations available to the nonprofit sector."
Since 1987 (orginally founded as CompuMentor), TechSoup has supported those nonprofits and NGOs working as facilitators of positive social change.
"As you did it to the least of these my brothers and sisters, you did it to me" (Matthew 25:40).
The April storm system that spawned hundreds of tornadoes in the Southeast has left thousands of people in desperate need of supplies. Much of the devastation happened in Alabama where twisters razed entire neighborhoods. A federal disaster declaration was been issued. Matthew 25: Ministries is directing their efforts to identify the immediate needs of victims. Non-perishable food items, meals, water, diapers, personal and hygiene products have already been sent.
If you'd like to help, Matthew 25: Ministries is accepting the following items for disaster relief:
1. Financial donations
2. Nonperishable food
3. Personal care products (especially diapers)
4. First Aid Supplies
5. Diapers
"The mission of Matthew 25: Ministries is to fulfill Matthew 25:34-40 by providing nutritional food to the hungry, clean water to the thirsty, clothing to the naked, shelter to the homeless, medical care to the ill, and humanitarian supplies to prisoners."
Charity Navigator helps donors give intelligently. The 501 (c)(3) nonprofit has evaluated thousands of charitable organizations to determine their financial health. Anyone in the world can sign on to the website and freely access financial evaluations that show how much actual giving is done in an organization versus overhead like administrative costs. Even singer Elton John uses Charity Navigator to see how well is own charity is doing. From the site:
"By guiding intelligent giving, we aim to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace, in which givers and the charities they support work in tandem to overcome our nation's most persistent challenges."
The Charity Navigator blog is currently spotlighting vetted charities helping with the tornado disaster in the Southeastern U.S.
