Do you still give to charity?

sh856531

Charity bosses set a poor example by taking large salaries and extravagant expenses. I just don't see how can they justify this when so many charity workers contribute their time for nothing or minimum wages.

I know a lot of people that I work with who earn roughly the same as me - (say 28 - 40K a year) often claim this. Whenever you ask them to prove what they're saying they always come up blank, which leads me to think that they are just full of crap and their "argument" is actually just self-serving

I know there are people who might actually have this as a genuine concern - the person I'm quoting could well be one of them - but ultimately not giving to any charity because "they're all corrupt" is pretty silly. Most of my friends take this view put will quite happily sink £40 in the pub in a single night and then spend 3 grand on holidays every year. Even if it were true, you could still donate your own time at a homeless shelter or whatever and then "charity bosses" and their "extravagent expenses" would have nothing whatsoever to do with it.

If you genuinely believe that a specific charity is so self serving that you can't in good concsience give them any support then fair enough - find another charity. I give to two charities in particular because they publish very good annual accounts and so I can see exactly how much is spent on management, marketing etc. In the two organisations I have in mind, the amount that is spent on that sort of stuff is less than 2%. Given that they manage donations that amount to billions, I'm quite happy for them to have some decent managers in place to make sure the money is allocated effectively.

So, if you really think a charity is living the high life at your expense, simply look at their accounts and actually find out for yourself. Not one of the people I have in mind as I write this message will have ever bothered themselves to do so.

Best Regards

S

MrFonzerelli

I'm happy to give to charity, charities do good work and have helped people i know.
Unlike taxes, at least i have some say where the money is spent too.

Buddingblonde

I have had to stop my direct debits as I have only got a few months more work before my contract ends (without a sign of it being renewed). I do volunteer at the local cab so give my time and I also buy cat and dog food for the local SSPCA bin in the supermarket.

macaque_2

sh856531 wrote: »

I know a lot of people that I work with who earn roughly the same as me - (say 28 - 40K a year) often claim this. Whenever you ask them to prove what they're saying they always come up blank, which leads me to think that they are just full of crap and their "argument" is actually just self-serving
I know there are people who might actually have this as a genuine concern - the person I'm quoting could well be one of them - but ultimately not giving to any charity because "they're all corrupt" is pretty silly. Most of my friends take this view put will quite happily sink £40 in the pub in a single night and then spend 3 grand on holidays every year. Even if it were true, you could still donate your own time at a homeless shelter or whatever and then "charity bosses" and their "extravagent expenses" would have nothing whatsoever to do with it.
If you genuinely believe that a specific charity is so self serving that you can't in good concsience give them any support then fair enough - find another charity. I give to two charities in particular because they publish very good annual accounts and so I can see exactly how much is spent on management, marketing etc. In the two organisations I have in mind, the amount that is spent on that sort of stuff is less than 2%. Given that they manage donations that amount to billions, I'm quite happy for them to have some decent managers in place to make sure the money is allocated effectively.
So, if you really think a charity is living the high life at your expense, simply look at their accounts and actually find out for yourself. Not one of the people I have in mind as I write this message will have ever bothered themselves to do so.
Best Regards
S

I generally agree with what you say. Giving to charity is good. Giving your own time is even better.

My concerns lie with the motives and governance of some charities (particularly the bigger ones). Large charities suffer from the same hazards and faults as governments and big companies. Their survival becomes more important than their mission. They recruit political lobbyists, they spend huge sums on marketing and PR. They have a vested interest in exagerating and sustaining problems. Senior staff also start to enjoy the good life a little too much.

I know East Africa reasonably well and I have not been impressed by the effects that big charities have in those countries. Local employees who work for the big charities are called the 'Wabenzi' (those with Mercedes). These charities are a new and unhealthy form of colonialism. They sustain depency and are guilty of social engineering, social division, jealousy and imposing alien values. If people want to give help to Africa (and I'm all for that) why don't they support smaller locally run charities?

Fire_Fox

macaque wrote: »

My concerns lie with the motives and governance of some charities (particularly the bigger ones). Large charities suffer from the same hazards and faults as governments and big companies. Their survival becomes more important than their mission. They recruit political lobbyists, they spend huge sums on marketing and PR. They have a vested interest in exagerating and sustaining problems. Senior staff also start to enjoy the good life a little too much.

I know East Africa reasonably well and I have not been impressed by the effects that big charities have in those countries. Local employees who work for the big charities are called the 'Wabenzi' (those with Mercedes). These charities are a new and unhealthy form of colonialism. They sustain depency and are guilty of social engineering, social division, jealousy and imposing alien values. If people want to give help to Africa (and I'm all for that) why don't they support smaller locally run charities?

Why don't you get involved rather than pontificating? Post up your job description and watch us rip it to bit from our comfy armchairs. BTW I don't work in the community/ voluntary sector, I just think you come across rather badly (feeling charitable). :rolleyes:

Geenie

We have been sponsoring a child for many years, plus I have worked with charities who give respite care to families.

I have seldom given to Big Issue sellers. This is mainly due to being told that the money given was used to feed drug habits and not to do it many years ago by someone I knew in the police. I don't feel great about this though, and hate avoiding them on the high street.

treliac

We give to the charities we choose to support and buy the tat produced for Red Nose Day etc.

I resist pressure to give when I don't feel right about it.

I do voluntary work and both my kids, hopefully led by example, give their time voluntarily to help others.

chris_spackman

Naomi House has asked Sir Fred to give £100k per year to them as they have lost millions due to people like him and if he has any sense of guilt or any morals he should and give £100k to the Salvation Army and homeless causes too the fxxxxxg axxe

bendix

Nope . I dont give to charities. I have paid enough tax in my lifetime to finance a small African nation for decades.

I did, however, donate 10 computers, about 300 books and heaps of sporting equipment (footballs, sporting clothes etc etc) to the school in a Thailand village where my wife grew up. I also paid the salary of a teacher for the school for one year. Education system over there is very different and appallingly funded. I could have just made a donation, but - frankly - such is the corruption that it would have ended up in the headteacher's bank account. I kid you not.

It was rather a nice experience, actually. The school put on a party attended by everyone in the village with food and speeches etc.

ninky_2

I tend to give to campaign groups like Amnesty rather than the ones that rely on sentimental shots of poorly animals or tearstained child actors set to heart-string music. I do sometimes think of cancelling my subscriptions because until I have my own house in order financially (secure future, own home) I wonder if I really should be worrying about paying for the problems of the world. But I'm still paying at the moment!

I'm also a strong believer in charity beginning at home. There are lots of things we all could do to make the world a better place that don't involve money....being a courteous driver, giving your seat up on the tube, being kind to friends and family, helping out those around you in need etc.