[EnderWiggin1970]

This is the exception, not the rule. There are a lot of great grassroots charities out there working on a shoestring that do deserve support, and not excuses to be ungenerous. In general I recommend finding small operations that have little overhead that are working on a tight budget.

I also believe the more recent the the organization the more likely it is to be efficient and honest in its operations. Over time the trappings of bureaucracy, and rationalizations of expenses on comfort and convenience of the staff, build up. But honest charities tend to be established by someone with a passionate goal to address some problem, and they pour every penny (including what they can afford of their own earnings/savings in most cases) into it.

But this requires people to DYOR and not just throw money at whomever is advertising heavily - the heavy advertising is itself a warning sign. The best organizations "advertise" by word of mouth of anyone who finds out about them, volunteers with them, and knows they are worthy. But that means people need to be getting involved with volunteering and not just waiting for a charity to knock at their door. So get involved.

[SaveFerris]

I believe at least one of the “main” animal organizations is like this

If I had HAD any money, there was the $19 a month Danny Thomas Foundation for St. Jude’s WITH a free t-shirt (Marlo Thomas speaking, too)

BUT right around the same time, another commercial break (I was watching TV in a hotel) came.... (I was maybe watching Fox or a movie channel)

$19 a month, free t-shirt for the “animal” foundation...

THEN came a commercial for .... $19 a month, free t-shirt for PLANNED PARENTHOOD AND ABORTION “RIGHTS”...

That was the capper right there......

Now St. Jude’s would probably be the only one I’d give to if I had some spare money