The founders say that people were initially skeptical toward this business model — how much difference could a dollar really make? A lot, it turns out. At the end of last year, Philanthroper reached $100K in donations and has featured over 100 charities.

Here are some ways these donations have helped make an impact so far:
- Fed people 54,347 meals (2800 were sent to Japan after the earthquake)
- 8925lbs of food rescued from the garbage
- $22,500 in medical supplies to Japan
- 14,460 trees planted
- 1770 diapers
- 2,461 people have a year of clean drinking water
- 2,294 hospital visits, 351 days of AIDS treatments and 7000 home visits for Ugandans with HIV
- 6900 minutes of talktime to troops calling home
- $21,900 in school supplies
- 526 endangered baby turtles rescued
- 2334 days of education for kids
- 200 pairs of pajamas and 607 pairs of socks
- 6900 minutes of art classes
- $2560 in books to children
- 11,385 immunizations (9650 children immunized against polio, 1675 other immunizations, 265 cats vaccinated against rabies, too)
- 569 sessions of therapy from women suffering from abuse
- 5775 women now have family planning options
- Offset the carbon of 598 iPhones

Philanthroper is turning out to be gamechanger in the future of online giving, attracting new small-scale Philanthropers every day and spreading awareness around a large variety of causes. What they are doing has never been done before, and figuring out how to make it possible for people to donate small amounts of money was not easy.

Founder Mark Wilson says: “For decades, groups like the Salvation Army have been able to leverage the power of tiny donations — just some pocket change here or there — that becomes incredibly powerful once all of those little red buckets are poured into a single pot. You’d think that, online, this idea would be even easier. But it’s actually far, far more challenging. Collecting small amounts of money is surprisingly expensive. And how do you make donating online feel just as impulsive as it is when you’re walking down the street? Make no mistake, it’s THE problem of our nonprofit generation. And I think that this first $100,000 proves that, yes, our system is a promising part of the solution. Giving on Philanthroper is incredibly addictive. And it scales.”

Philanthropy has traditionally been a pastime of the wealthiest 1%, but those tables seem to be turning. You don’t have to be rich to be a Philantropher.

“This isn’t about any one person,” says Wilson. “It’s not a celebrity’s charity (though plenty of celebrities have kindly tweeted about us). You don’t see our mugshots on the site, taking all the credit with a smug wink. Nothing about the site is about us; it’s about you and the groups you can discover who are doing extremely awesome things in the world, every single day.”

Mark Wilson, Founder of Philanthroper.com

Perhaps living in such a hyper-connected society has made us more aware of the challenges faced by people all over the world. Helping others makes us feel good about ourselves and gives us an increased sense of purpose. Giving, it seems, is far more rewarding than taking.

Wilson agrees and is very excited of the feedback he receives from his army of Philanthropers. “I’ve received letters from people thanking us because they’re unemployed in this economy, and while they don’t have much money, they still want to give back. Isn’t that incredible? They love that they can donate $1 and know it’s helping someone else, often in a very tangible way, like giving them fresh water for a year or buying them a critical vaccine.”

Perhaps it’s time to embrace your inner Philanthroper. Every little bit counts.

Related posts:

1. Pure Citizen: Daily Deal Shopping for the Conscious Consumer
2. Helping Japan – Ensuring Relief Efforts Reach Those in Need
3. Kahina Giving Beauty

Research shows that even though 52% of participants were confident in their ability to achieve success with their goals, only 12% actually did. Another study made by Richard Wisemen from the University of Bristol showed that 78% of New Year resolutions fail, and that people who actually succeed have a few traits in common. Men achieved their goal 22% more often when they set small measurable goals, like losing a pound a week (instead of just saying “I want to lose weight”), while women had a 10% higher success rate when they made their goals public and got support from their friends.

Another helpful thing may be to carry a reminder around your wrist. The resolution wrap bracelet is made by the same folks who brought us the peaceBOMB bracelet and is meant to help you achieve those goals you are about to set for the year to come.

Besides helping you reach your personal goal, these bracelet also help us move toward a common goal: a more peaceful world. One meter of bomb littered land is cleared for every peaceBOMB resolution wrap bracelet you buy. It also helps create a much needed source of income in war-ravaged areas of Laos.

Each resolution wrap bracelet is made with vintage silk string from France and features a hand cast tag. It comes wrapped around a resolution card which you or the person you give it to can write this day, month or year’s resolution. It’s never too late or early to make one!

Related posts:

1. Make Bracelets, Not War
2. My Goals & Intentions for the New Year
3. Starting Fresh – How to Make 2011 Your Best Year Ever

Needs For Sale founders Christine & Justin Gignac

Needs For Sale: A Place to Play ($250) & Education for Girls ($500)

Needs For Sale: A Pig ($120) & A Can of Peas ($250)

Started in November 2007, Needs For Sale was envisioned as a way to inspire others to help charities with the incentive of art. Each painting represents a need that we would like to fill. From toys for kids at Christmas, to food for the hungry, to building supplies for people who have lost their homes. 100% of each sale is donated to a specified charity, so if you are looking for art that tells a story, you found it. It’s a simple way to make a difference.

Needs For Sale: A Front Door ($150) & A Wig ($100)

Needs For Sale: Research for a Cure ($500) & Phone Calls for Our Troops ($250)

The Needs For Sale project grew out of another of the Gignacs’ projects, called Wants For Sale. This one was based on the couples own “wants” and the price of each painting was based on the cost of each actual item, which ranged from a slice of pepperoni pizza for $3 (sold) to one month’s rent for $1056,17 (sold) to a Vegas vacation series (some still available) to A Little Shopping in SoHo for $2500 (still available). When a painting is sold the pair buys the item, photographs it and posts it on their website.

Needs For Sale: A Barbie ($250) & A Nerf Football ($100)

Needs For Sale: Mr. Potato Head ($250) & A Cow ($500)

Many of the paintings of Needs For Sale have sold, but still available are: A Good Meal (through a donation to Food Bank for New York City) and A New Toy (through a donation to New York Cares). I’m sure someone on your Christmas shopping list would appreciate such a thoughtful gift.

Needs For Sale: A Spiral Ham ($100) & A Toilet ($100)

Needs For Sale: A Kitchen Sink ($100) & A Fish ($100)

Related posts:

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I had a chance to talk to Duong and ask about her enterprise, the relationship she has with the artisans that produce her pillows, her passion for philanthropy, her inspirations and aspirations.

Aimi Duong, founder of Oi Mei, at left.

How did you have the idea for this enterprise?
I had the idea to start my first social enterprise during a year studying abroad in Bangkok, Thailand. During this time I had the opportunity to travel throughout Thailand and neighboring countries such as Myanmar, Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Malaysia. Traveling though these developing nations, I never forgot the people within the communities. I often observed their primitive lifestyles and found it to be very humbling because these were some of the “poorest” people I have ever seen. Yet, they were full of charisma, compassion, perseverance and heart. It was difficult for me to leave many of these communities each time knowing that as I continue to travel and pursue my day to day activities; they continue to struggle for life’s most basic necessities.

Duong says it was difficult for her to leave the communities she visited, knowing that as she continued to travel and pursue her day to day activities; these people continue to struggle for life's most basic necessities.

I came to the realization that in such developing nations, a very small effort can make a huge difference in the lives of the rural poor. As I kept pushing my boundaries living abroad and staying curious, I began to feel that I was at the right place during the right time in my life to try something different. I enjoy philanthropy, I am fascinated by rich cultural traditions, traveling inspires me immensely and I had just completed my undergraduate degree in Business. As a new college grad who is fascinated with the power of social enterprise, I combined this with my other interests and had the idea to start a small business to support rural artisans while also re-investing a percent of net profits into peace-building initiatives. That’s how my “pillows for peace” initiative began.

Fabric for the pillows being hand-loomed using traditional techniques.

Beyond wanting to support rural artisans, I had a few reasons for wanting to explore social entrepreneurship — mainly, to raise awareness. I am a 24 year old Vietnamese/Chinese/American girl who grew up below middle class in America with a single immigrant mother who struggled to raise four children and give us a “brighter future.” I was fortunate to have scholarships, governmental assistance and the chance to work toward getting educated. I have seen many youths with similar backgrounds fall into troubled futures possibly because they lack inspiration and positive role models. Though I know that my efforts may be small, my main goal was to set an example of how one can overcome such obstacles and instead seek a positive future while helping others along the way. In today’s fast paced society we are often blinded by our own issues, sometimes forgetting the simple things in life and that there are others who face much difficult predicaments. I wanted to set a small example of how a young person can do good and do well, helping others and living a passionate life.

In starting "Pillows for Peace," Duong wanted to show how a young person could do good and do well, helping others and living a passionate life.

How did you form connections with the artisans who produce your pillows? Have you met them personally?
After visiting many small villages where textiles are being produced, I quickly became intrigued. I’ve always been a fan of ethnic-inspired textiles and saw an opportunity to help rural artisans who are struggling to make a living. I asked questions, researched about fair trade and contacted organizations that were supporting rural artisans. I grasped every opportunity to visit textile producing villages in the North of Thailand and soon realized that by me helping them gain exposure to new markets they are able to work for a fair wage, preserve a traditional craft and be self-sustainable.

Duong took every opportunity to visit textile producing villages in the North of Thailand, and the idea for her social enterprise formed.

My interest in the craft and the artisans increased as I learned more about the trade and developed a deep appreciation for their rich traditions and simple lifestyle. I made a few trips to the hill tribe villages to further conduct interviews, take photographs and video footage because I knew I had to share their lives with the wider world. I want to share their craft by making their products available to the wider world but more so I wanted to share their stories because I find it inspiring.

Duong at work with one of the artisans she employs.

That being said, yes, I have personally met the artisans who produce the pillows we will carry.

Did you always have a desire to do good or did you have a particular “aha-moment”?
During college I had many “jobs” ranging from waitressing, retail, sales, administrative, working with handicapped children and interning as a research fellow for an NGO in Thailand. I’ve also dedicated a lot of time volunteering with underprivileged children and families. From my work experience I knew that philanthropy is what I enjoy but as I was studying business for my undergraduate degree I didn’t think I could pursue that passion. In business school we are taught in almost every course that the ultimate mission is to maximize profits using traditional business models, which was quite uninspiring for me. Then, I discovered social enterprise, which has completely changed my future aspirations, empowering me to combine my passion for philanthropy and business knowledge as an entrepreneur.

Duong realized that by helping rural artisans gain exposure to new markets they are able to work for a fair wage, preserve a traditional craft and be self-sustainable.

As she learned more about the trade, Duong developed a deep appreciation for the rich traditions and simple lifestyle of the rural artisans.

Where do you see Oi Mei and “Pillows for Peace” in five years?
In terms of business, in five years I see Oimei Co. at a point of self sustainability with a broader product range. In terms of social impact; I see Oimei Co. partnering with a much larger number of rural artisans throughout South East Asia and possibly other regions in the world (as textiles are handwoven globally). This means that we will be providing more work and income to more rural artisans. By then we would have re-invested a percent of our net profits into various peace-building projects and partnering with more NGOs to expand the scope and implement more of them.

Duong intends to re-invest profits into various peace-building projects and partner with more NGOs to expand the scope and implement more of them.

What inspires you?
Mostly? Love. Nothing is more inspiring to me than simple act of compassion and “the little things” in life. These are a MUST to keep me going. I am aware that life and its obstacles can sometimes be daunting but I don’t believe in wasting time dwelling on the bad. I try my best to incorporate these essentials in my everyday life. I seek and embrace beauty in the simplest things and I grasp onto “feel good” moments. It can be a nice conversation had with an old friend, a smile shared with a stranger, witnessing genuine kindness and selflessness, walking through a fresh flower market in Thailand or getting lost alone in Myanmar. Love & Life inspires me.

Oi Mei is still in the start-up stages and are trying to raise money through a campaign on crowd-funding site Start Some Good. Check it out and support them if you can. But hurry, the campaign ends in two days!

Related posts:

1. Make Bracelets, Not War
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3. 240 Sweet Artisan Marshmallows

The Do Gooders behind this project have been working with organizations like The Friends of El Faro and LA Guerilla Gardening for many years. They always found themselves looking for the good in things and wanted to show others how easy it really is to help out. After years of continually being asked by friends, “How can I get involved?”, the group came up with the idea to put all their friends on a bus and show them exactly how to do just that.

The Do Good Bus is a very easy way to get involved, help out in your community, and make some new friends.

The Do Good Bus is a very easy way to get involved and help your community. Just get on the bus and they’ll do the rest. Each trip, and cause, is different and, adding to the excitement, the locations are a secret. You never know where you’ll end up and what you might end up doing until you arrive. On the way there, however, you will be wined and dined while learning about causes in your neighborhood.

The three main goals for the Do Good Bus is to raise awareness for the countless causes they support and show people how to support them, create a community by connecting like-minded do-gooders, and encouraging people to continue their support of the causes they’ve now become involved with.

Previous Do Good Bus rides have involved everything from Guerilla Gardening to burrito-rolling.

The causes are local non-profits, individuals and groups in the community. The people behind Do Good Bus tend to steer away from larger, well-funded causes, instead favoring smaller 501c3 non-profits, individuals and families in need. “Whether it’s small disaster relief, homeless issues, helping kids, improving your neighborhood or a good old fashion barn building… we are there and we want you to ride with us,” they say. Charities that have thus far been helped by the good people on the Do Good Bus include Friends of El Faro, LA Guerrilla Gardening, The Snedden Family, Camp Harmony, Hug it Forward, 826LA, Burrito Project LA, Fallen Fruit, Youth Speak Collective and MEND Poverty. Read more about the charities and the past Do Good Bus rides here.

HubLA hosted a ride where do-gooders helped out at Youth Speak Collective's 4-acre community garden and MEND Poverty in the San Fernando Valley.

Although the Do Good Bus is normally based in the LA-area, they are currently on a cross-country tour with the band Foster the People. Take a look at the schedule to see if the bus is coming by an area near you.

Get on the bus and do some good!

Community service has never been so fun and easy.

dogoodbus.com

Related posts:

1. The Providence Granola Project – Breakfast for People Who Give a Damn
2. Zimride – Community-powered Ridesharing
3. Community Supported Agriculture

Across the globe, cataclysmic weather events are occurring with such regularity that it’s being called a “new normal.” But there is nothing normal about it. And there’s something else that lies destroyed amid the rubble: The truth about climate change. And what’s causing it.

Spanning 24 hours, representing 24 time zones and delivered in multiple languages, 24 Hours of Reality is organized by the Climate Reality Project and features a new multimedia presentation created by Vice President Gore and delivered by an army of personally trained slide show Presenters from around the world. Beginning in Mexico City and proceeding westward around the globe, 24 Hours of Reality offers a round-theclock snapshot of the global climate crisis in real time, sharing unique perspectives on the crisis from Pakistan to Cape Verde, Mexico City to Kotzebue, Alaska, Jakarta to London. With each event scheduled at 7 p.m. local time, the entire 24 hours will also be streamed live online from start to finish, culminating in a final presentation by Vice President Gore in New York at 7 p.m.

By focusing the world’s attention on the climate crisis for an entire day, 24 Hours of Reality is intended to create a global movement and inspire international action to solve the climate crisis the other 364 days of the year. At each event, we will highlight the projects and initiatives of incountry organizations and NGOs and offer information and opportunities for people to learn more and to get involved with ongoing activities in their own communities. This global discussion will lead to action to solve the climate crisis.

WHO: Al Gore + 23 specially trained Presenters from The Climate Reality Project + YOU
WHAT: 24 Hours of Reality
WHEN: September 14-15, 2011
WHERE: Online and in villages, towns, cities, and countries across the globe
WHY: Because the climate crisis is real and it has already begun. Because what we thought was our children’s problem is in fact our own.

Special interest groups are spending huge amounts of money to convince people that climate change isn’t real while people around the world are already experiencing its effects. Where do you stand? Choose Reality.

Watch the Live broadcast of the event on the following websites:
climaterealityproject.org
facebook.com/climatereality

Related posts:

1. Take action for 350
2. The New Normal?
3. 10:10: Cut your emissions by 10% in 2010

The main goal is basically to ensure that producers are treated well and paid a fair price for their labor, which allows them the opportunity to improve their lives and plan for their future. For consumers, it’s a simple, powerful way to fight poverty every time we go shopping.

Fair Trade began modestly in the 1940s when a few small North American and European organizations reached out to poverty stricken communities to help them sell their handicrafts to well-off markets. Later, a fictional Dutch character, Max Havelaar, was developed as an advocate for exploited coffee pickers. Today, Fair Trade (or Fairtrade) is a global effort.

There are lots of different Fair Trade labels out there, but these are the main two to look for when you are shopping.

When a product carries a Fair Trade label it means the producers and traders have met standards of the certifying organization. The standards are designed to address the imbalance of power in trading relationships, unstable markets and the injustices of conventional trade. Most products have a Fair Trade price, which is the minimum that must be paid to the producers. The minimum price aims to ensure that producers can cover their average costs of sustainable production and acts as a safety net for farmers at times when world markets fall below a sustainable level. Without this, farmers are completely at the mercy of the market. That said, when the market price is higher than the Fairtrade minimum, the buyer must pay the higher price. Producers and traders can also negotiate higher prices on the basis of quality and other attributes.

Many kids enjoy the day with their family during the harvest season. It's not uncommon for there to be more kids in the field than adults. Photo by jakeliefer, Creative Commons.

In addition to the Fair Trade price, there is an additional sum of money, called the Fair Trade Premium. This money goes into a communal fund for workers and farmers to use to improve their social, economic and environmental conditions. The use of this additional income is decided upon democratically by producers within the farmers’ organization, or by workers on a plantation. The Premium is invested in education and healthcare, farm improvements to increase yield and quality, or processing facilities to increase income. Since many projects funded by the Premium are communal, the broader community, outside the producer organization often benefits from Fair Trade.

Fair Trade farmers are audited annually for transparency, democratic processes and sound financial management. Fair Trade Standards requires environmentally-sustainable farming methods that protect farmers’ health and preserve ecosystems. These standards strictly prohibit the use of GMOs and the most toxic agrochemicals, promote active conservation of soil and water resources and protect surrounding forests. More than half of all Fair Trade farms are also certified organic. Fair Trade Standards also require freedom of association and safe working conditions. Child labor, forced labor and discrimination are strictly prohibited.

Mexican Fair Trade coffee farmer at work in the fields. Photo by Shared Interest, Creative Commons.

In 2005, only nine percent of Americans were aware of Fair Trade, and certified products generated approximately $15 million in additional income for producers. In 2009 awareness had increased to 33 percent, and Fair Trade generated more than $48 million. A new study conducted by researchers from MIT, Harvard and London School of Economics shows that the Fair Trade labeling has a large positive impact on consumer purchasing — sales of the two most popular bulk coffees sold in the stores rose by almost 10% when the coffees were labeled as Fair Trade. Overall the findings suggest that there is substantial consumer support for Fair Trade, with many willing to pay up to eight percent more for a product bearing the Fair Trade Certified label.

“The Fair Trade label by itself had a large positive effect on sales, indicating that a substantial number of coffee buyers place a positive value on Fair Trade certification,“ said Michael J. Hiscox of Harvard University. “In addition, a sizeable segment of coffee buyers were willing to pay a premium for coffee if the premium was directly associated with support for Fair Trade. The tests suggest that there are plenty of consumers ready to vote with their shopping dollars to support Fair Trade when it is offered as an option by retailers.”

Coffee was the first product to be Fair Trade Certified. Photo by Angie Muldowney, Creative Commons.

Coffee was the first product to be certified by Fair Trade USA, perhaps why that is why we tend to associate the Fair Trade label with this roasted beverage. According to Fair Trade USA, coffee imports have increased from 78,000 pounds certified in 1998 to 108 million pounds certified in 2010. With the rising popularity of Fair Trade more products are constantly introduced. Fair Trade standards exist for food products ranging from tea and coffee to fresh fruits and nuts, as well as non-food products like flowers and plants, cotton, and sports balls.

Bananas are the most consumed fresh fruit in the U.S., and represents a whopping 50 percent of all U.S. fresh fruit imports. Photo courtesy of Fair Trade Certified.

Bananas are the most consumed fresh fruit in the U.S., and represents a whopping 50 percent of all U.S. fresh fruit imports, a large portion of which are produced in Latin America. The 27 Fair Trade producers supplying bananas to the U.S. market are located in Ecuador, Costa Rica, Perú and in the northwestern Urabá region of Colombia. According to Fair Trade USA’s Product Impact Report, imports of Fair Trade bananas almost doubled from 2008 to 2009, reaching 49 million pounds. This phenomenal growth also led to a 98 percent increase in premium dollars paid to banana farmers and workers in South America. Fair Trade Certified wine has also seen phenomenal growth since its inception, increasing four-fold year over year. In 2009, cumulative Fair Trade wine imports reached 1.7 million bottles.

Although the “change the world by shopping” adage is feeling very old and tired, buying Fair Trade is something we can all do to improve the world just a little bit every time we shop.

On May 14, help Wake up the World by educating friends and family about the benefits of supporting Fair Trade. Photo courtesy of Fair Trade Certified.

May 14th is World Fair Trade Day, and Fair Trade USA wants us to show that we can change the world by changing our breakfast. How? Have a breakfast that features as many Fair Trade Certified products as possible and help Wake up the World by educating friends and family about the benefits of supporting Fair Trade. Last year more than 110,000 people from 21 countries joined the campaign, making it the world’s biggest Fair Trade Breakfast. Can you help beat that number for 2011? Here are some easy ways to get involved:
- Host a Fair Trade breakfast for your family and friends
- Celebrate a day early with a Fair Trade breakkie at your office or school on Friday 5/13
- Join the Global Fairtrade Breakfast Facebook group
- Partner with a local store or cafe to hold a Fair Trade Breakfast event
- Organize a big Fair Trade Breakfast picnic in a public park

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Peace Cords are hand woven in Afghanistan using 550 parachute cord and military uniform buttons.

Peace Cord is the newest initiative of ARZU STUDIO HOPE and Spirit of America, a non-profit organization whose mission is to help Americans serving abroad assist local people in need. ARZU, which means “hope” in Dari, creates fair-wage artisan jobs and gives hope to hundreds of Afghan women as they hand-weave these Peace Cord bracelets out of parachute cord and secure them with authentic military dress or fatigue buttons.

Afghan women weaving Peace Cords.

100% of the proceeds help fund the education, healthcare, and livelihoods of ARZU’s artisans and support grassroots humanitarian and community development programs carried out by U.S troops in Afghanistan. Since 2004, ARZU STUDIO HOPE has also created award-winning rugs for American consumers and socially responsible corporations seeking a direct opportunity to transform the lives of rural Afghan weavers and their families.

Each hand cast and finished single bangle or set comes with a handwoven organic cotton drawstring pouch and story card.

PeaceBOMB bracelets are made from Vietnam War-era scrap metal. Each is hand cast by artisans who collect scrap metal from the 250-260 million bombs that were dropped over the Laos countryside. Between 1964 and 1973 this was the most heavily bombed country—the US dropped 2 million tons of ordnance on Lao PDR, averaging one B-52 bomb load every 8 minutes for 9 years. The artisans in Naphia Village initially learned to cast spoons from this melted scrap metal, which includes the stabilization fins of cluster bomb casings, flares, certain fuses and parts of fighter jets. To make the bracelets, the scrap aluminum is melted in an earthen kiln, cast in hand-sculpted molds of wood and ash, and finished by hand.

Rocket mortar among other debris.

Wood and ash molds in front of an earthen kiln.

Two Naphia metalsmiths with the hand-sculpted bracelet molds.

Elizabeth Suda left New York City and a job in merchandising at Coach to travel to Southeast Asia and find out how the goods we consume are actually made. Through a Swiss NGO, she became involved in the Rural Income through Sustainable Development Project (RISE). Recognizing that the largest obstacle faced by skilled artisans in developing nations is finding a way to get their products to market, she founded ARTICLE 22 to create a traceable link between producers in the east and consumers in the west as well as sharing the stories behind these handcrafted products. Benefits from the sale of peaceBOMB bracelets are shared across the community through donations to a village micro-credit fund that provides small business and other loans to members as well as supports community infrastructure projects. Besides bracelets ARTICLE 22 also makes bags and scarves, all adhering to the same fair trade, fair made principles.

My two "peacelets"—soon to be joined by more.

Based on the same founding principles, ARZU STUDIO HOPE and ARTICLE 22 are both proving that the triple bottom line—people, planet, profit—can be hugely successful. The bracelets look good and they do good. They also make terrific gifts. So hey Goodlifers, let’s make bracelets, not war!

Peace Cords range from $10-15 each, depending on the style (buy here). PeaceBOMB bracelets are $15 for a single or $38 for a triple (buy here).

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As we learn more about the 8.9-magnitude earthquake that hit near the northeast coast of Japan on Friday, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance warns that—as occurred following the tsunami in 2004, Katrina in 2005 and the earthquake in Haiti just last year—fraudulent charities will likely emerge to try and scam donations from well-meaning Americans. The Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance urges givers to make sure their donations will go to legitimate and reputable charities and relief efforts that have the capability to help those in need.

“Whenever there is a major natural disaster, be it home or abroad, there are two things you can count on. The first is the generosity of Americans to donate time and money to help victims, and the second is the appearance of poorly run and in some cases fraudulent charities,” said Art Taylor, President and CEO of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. “Not only do Americans need to be concerned about avoiding fraud, they also need to make sure their money goes to competent relief organizations that are equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance.”

BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following seven tips to help Americans decide where to direct donations:

Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity.
Be cautious when relying on third-party recommendations such as bloggers or other Web sites, as they might not have fully researched the listed relief organizations. The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity to research charities and relief organizations to verify that they are accredited by the BBB and meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

Be cautious when giving online.
Be cautious about online giving, especially in response to spam messages and emails that claim to link to a relief organization. In response to the tsunami disaster in 2004, there were concerns raised about many websites and new organizations that were created overnight allegedly to help victims.

Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the disaster impact areas.
Unless the charity already has staff in the affected areas, it may be difficult to get new aid workers to quickly provide assistance.  See if the charity’s website clearly describes what they can do to address immediate needs.

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups.
Some charities may be raising money to pass along to relief organizations.  If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and giving directly to charities that have a presence in the region. Or, at a minimum, check out the ultimate recipients of these donations to ensure the organizations are equipped to effectively provide aid.

Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims.
Despite what an organization might claim, charities have fund raising and administrative costs. Even a credit card donation will involve, at a minimum, a processing fee. If a charity claims that 100 percent of collected funds will be assisting earthquake victims, the truth is that the organization is still probably incurring fund raising and administrative expenses.  They may use some of their other funds to pay this, but the expenses will still be incurred.

Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations.
In-kind drives for food and clothing—while well intentioned—may not necessarily be the quickest way to help those in need—unless the organization has the staff and infrastructure to be able to properly distribute such aid. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.

Look for details when texting a donation.
Beginning with the earthquake in Haiti, it’s become common to send a text to make a donation. Make sure you understand the amount to be donated, and whether there will be any service fees charged to your account. Be sure the offer clearly identifies which charity will receive the donation, then check out the charity.

Via the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. For more information you can contact their spokesperson, Kelsey Owen, at 703-247-9376.

Top photo, detail from poster by Signalnoise.

Related posts:

1. Undies with a Cause: PACT + Architecture for Humanity for Japan
2. Philanthroper – A Daily Deal Site for Giving
3. Meet People, Have Fun & Help Out in Your Community on The Do Good Bus

Here, dignitaries from across the world to share their views on the world they want to create for the women of tomorrow. These ‘Dreams for My Daughter’ reflect some universal themes worldwide—families hope that their daughters will have an education, choose when and who to marry, if and when to have children, and, unlike the 1000 women who die every day for lack of health care, to have healthy pregnancies and safe childbirths. What were your own dreams—and did they come true?

Princess Sarah Zeid, wife of Jordanian ambassador to US Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad, Jordan
“For my daughters, I dream of a world where their voices are heard and their rights respected: the right to choose; the right to an education; the right to be healthy mothers of their own healthy children. I dream that my girls will grow to be happy, confident, strong women who love life and follow their own path. I dream that they are curious and considerate, wise global citizens who will make a positive contribution. Lastly, I dream that they will share their lives with people who love, value and cherish them for who they are. Just as I do.”

Maureen McTeer, wife of former Prime Minister Joe Clark, lawyer and women health and rights advocate, Canada
“So many of my dreams for my daughter, Catherine, have already come true. She has grown up to be a mature, kind, beautiful and accomplished adult with a family of her own. She now has dreams for her own daughter. Every mother dreams a happy future for their children. But not all dreams come true—violence, war, poverty lurk in so many corners and abuse so many lives. They shatter our dreams for our daughters and their dreams for themselves. Some dare not even try to dream. My dreams are not just for my daughter, but for all of our daughters, wherever they may be. May we find the will for true peace, may we build fairness and equality into all of our lives, and may we share and care for the bounty and beauty of our earth. Perhaps then, all of our daughters’ dreams can come true.”

Linah Jebil Kilimo, Member of Parliament and Chair, Kenyan Women’s MP Group, Kenya
“I dream of the day we shall have a perfect world for the daughters of the world. Where our daughters will give life in a comfortable environment, i.e. a hospital. A world where survival for their children without complications at birth is guaranteed. A world where talking about reproductive health for our daughters will not be an embarrassing topic. A world where the topic of women in childbirth will be discussed freely. A world where the monster called Female Genital Mutilation (FGM) will be no more. Yes FGM, the major cause of complications during childbirth will not haunt our daughters of the world. A world where our daughters will celebrate being born a girl.”

Ibrahim Sorie, Member of Parliament, Sierra Leone
“My Dream for my Daughter and Daughters of this world is to have a world free of oxygen shortages that kill pregnant women while giving birth. A world where the basics of safe child delivery are always present.”

Rose Mlay, WRA-Tanzania National Coordinator, Tanzania
“My Dream is to advocate and continue advocating with politicians, policy and decision makers nationally and globally until these leaders stop declarations and start illustrations to ensure mothers and newborns worldwide are safe and healthy during childbirth regardless of their social and economic status.”

Beatrice Rwakimari, Member of Parliament and Chair, Ugandan Parliamentary Committee on HIV/AIDS and Member, WRA Global Board, Uganda
“My wish is to see my daughter, her daughters, her grandchildren and generations to come live a much better life than myself, more meaningful, enriching and fulfilling socially, economically and politically; where women and girls are treated with dignity and the respect that they deserve and accorded equal opportunities with men and boys. To grow up in a loving, safe and healthy environment free of defilement, rape, human sacrifice, all forms of violence, neglect, pornography, all forms of drugs, sexual immorality, corruption, negative cultural practices like FGM. Where both parents dedicate enough time to her to inculcate in her basic competences in life such as decision making, self confidence and esteem and negotiation skills so that she is able to take decisions that affect her life especially her reproductive rights. To go to school, stay and complete her education with good grades so that she can get a job of her dreams, to become economically, socially, and politically empowered so that she can lead a decent, satisfying and qualitative life. To get a decent, educated, prosperous, kind and God fearing husband, free from any form of violence, who will love and respect her as his wife, plan together as a family especially on how many children to have, when and how often. Live in a country where there is efficient and effective health care services with hospitals and health centers which are adequately equipped with motivated and well remunerated skilled health workers, obstetric care facilities, supplies like gloves, drugs to stop bleeding, blood, ambulances, water, electricity to mention but a few. A country where family planning services are available, accessible, affordable and applicable to the people to reduce or stop unwanted and, or unplanned pregnancies which are a major cause of unsafe abortions which have contributed to the high maternal morbidity and mortality in Uganda. I pray that she becomes one of the champions/advocates at the highest level to make pregnancy and childbirth safe and healthy for all mothers and babies in Uganda; and ensuring that maternal health is both a human rights issue and a development issue, not necessarily a women’s issue.”

Nuala O’Loan, House of Lords, United Kingdom
“That the women of the world will have access to trained help throughout pregnancy and birth; that they may give birth in safe, clean places they can get to; and they will not be subjected to female genital mutilation so that giving birth will not be too difficult. That they may be able to take their rightful place in the world.”

This story was written in collaboration with Coco Eco Magazine.

Top photo by Ramyo, Creative Commons

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