Which Type of Charity To Support?

[tyler_1]

Hello,

We all agree that we should help the poor and needy no matter who they are (regardless of their race, religion, etc). My question concerns the avenue we take to reach them.

Let’s say there are three different charities:

One is Catholic (say catholiccharitiesusa.org)),
another is Inter-denominational (say foodforthepoor.org/)
and the other is not affiliated with any religion (say a local soup kitchen).

As a Catholic, which charity should I support first? All of these charities are going to help the poor, but is it better to support a charity which might also evangelize, or which might at least make a favorable spiritual impression in addition to helping the needy? Does it even matter?

Thanks for your insights.

-Tyler

 

[rwoehmke]

Depends on where geographically you want your funds to be used. Very often a particular organization will be helping people in a certain region. Consider also how your dollar is used. How much goes for administrative costs, mailing, etc and how much actually benefits those in need. Catholic Charities or Caritas International is often one of the first ones on the scene when disaster strikes.

If Missionary support is your preference it is possible to contact a Missionary Order and find a Missionary who you can support directly with funds. Not being filtered through a charitable organization, you would lose any tax deduction due you for your charitable giving.

Food for the Poor, Oxfam, American Red Cross are also good charities which help but do not tend to seek converts. That is a choice you have to make. Do you want primarily to help those in need or do you want to support an organization that does missionary work as well.

 

[tyler_1]

Thank you!

That is a wonderful answer to this vexing problem, and is in agreement with what I have been hearing from others.

In short, not all charities can help the poor equally, and we must put our money where it can accomplish the greatest good!

Thanks so much for your thorough answer. It was an immense help.

-Tyler

 

[goofyjim]

I just make sure my nieghbor is fed and clothed. This may involve giving directly to him instead of any official charity. Charity begins at home and reaches out from there. Last week I took a friend to lunch since he is disabled and needs help. Even the official charities have too much bureacratic elements to be that much more efficient than the government.

Am I required to give only to Catholic charities? Certainly not.

 

[tyler_1]

Good point Jim that we can practice charity right in our own neighborhood as well. Also, I might add that joining an organization at church, such as the Legion of Mary, can also be beneficial in this regard.

Thank you for your insights.

-Tyler

 

[puzzleannie]

our policy has always been to give our tithe where we know the people who will be administering and spending the money, how it is used, who benefits, and preferably where we can also be actively involved to some extent, such as the local hunger center run by Catholic Charities, local PTC and Birthright assisting pregnant women, even CFCA where we can attend mission trips to see the projects and child our donations support. as well as primarily of course our own parish and its ministries and apostolates.

 

[goofyjim]

Good point Jim that we can practice charity right in our own neighborhood as well. Also, I might add that joining an organization at church, such as the Legion of Mary, can also be beneficial in this regard.

Thank you for your insights.

-Tyler

Even in the Legion it seems like the secret bag donations are more used for administrative costs or promoting the cause of candidates for sainthood. I am more concerned with getting my funds where they are needed. I will take my neighbor to lunch, or if I can, help him pay some past due bills.

 

[Larry1700]

Based on a recent testimony by Warren Buffett before Congress, in which he stated that most charities only use 5% of their money toward the actual purpose for which it is intended, I give most of my money to Catholic Charities.

 

[sybtom]

Do your research.
As others have stated you need to research every charity carefully…
I once supported Oxfam because they gave direct aid to the poor around the world to enable them become more self-sufficient. Over the last few years Oxfam has increasingly become a lobbying organization trying to strong arm governments to fund their work rather than relying on private contributors. They have also taken to supporting pro-choice…from the 2006 annual report: “Oxfam funds a number of women’s networks throughout Central America to achieve political change and ensure that women’s rights – to land, to therapeutic abortion, to live free from violence or to have a say in decisions that affect them – are respected.” Oxfam still does alot of good work, but you cannot guarantee that your money will go to the cause you support.
Even Catholic Charities has increased their lobbying efforts at the expense of direct service. Read How Catholic Charities Lost Its Soul . I still give to Catholic Charities despite its problems. Catholic schools are also in need of financial support. I give a little each year to Catholic elementary and high schools as well as Catholic colleges and seminaries which support the Apostolic mission of the Church