Non-Christians, a question about donating to charity?

I only give to secular or Pagan charities. I prefer helping those of my tribe (that would include family, friends, people of my faith) in need than others, although I do contribute to secular charities whenever none of those who are closer to me is in need.

Secular charities are more efficient than religious ones, because they don't spend a dime on furthering religious agendas, but just on their purpose (i.e. helping those wrongfully arrested or the victims of a catastrophe).

I might give to a Christian charity as long as it was non-proselytizing and was there faster than any other in the event of a disaster, but I'd switch support to the most efficient secular one when it got to the place where they're needed.

I might give to a Jewish charity if they also helped non-Jews, which most Jewish charities do. I have no qualms on giving to Jewish charities, because they are non-proselytizing by definition, so I consider them on equal footing with secular charities :P.

I donated $100 to World Vision last Christmas for the purchase of a goat for a family in Africa, as my parents' Christmas gift (because I'm a student, can't spend a lot, and they aren't materialistic anyway). I checked out charities online from a disinterested website and they had: A) A good reputation, B) A lot of the money that I sent them (80%? Something like that) would actually go towards the purchase of the goat. The fact that they are a Christian charity is irrelevant (also, anything Alex Trebek supports can't be all bad, speaking as a dyed-in-the-wool Jeopardy buff.) They were one of the ones with the best guarantee that my money would be spent where it was needed, and the goat was because of sentimental reasons (family used to run a goat farm), so it worked out nicely. I spend $264 yearly if my math is correct ($22/month) on non-religious charity, and $50 last year went to the podunk animal shelter where my parents are (incidental charity spending), so I spend more on non-religious than religious. I do shop at the Salvation Army from time to time, and used to work there too.

My concerns lie in the purpose of the charity, how their money is spent, etc.

I donate to some Christian charities yearly - places like the Salvation Army that insist on handing out religious brocures and the like may get a few bucks from me if I pass by a donation bin, usually during the holidays - but I would rather donate to local food banks and the like that are run by area churches, as they have helped local families in need who are not religious as well without trying to guide them into Christianity.

But most of my donations and volunteer work goes toward causes that are non-religion specific - cancer research/hospitals/etc., ASPCA, Humane Society, National Wildlife Federation, and local school fundraisers.

answer: A little of all of that. Even being well below the poverty level, I still donate to charity - money and goods. The goods go to thrift stores that have help programs.

I donate money to charities associated with my religion in that it specifically plants trees in a region of the world that needs them, revitalizing the land. That's something we're called to do in the religion.

I also donate money to cancer and leukemia charities (not as often as I'd like) because those diseases have touched our lives.

Major donations - animal rescue and care.

I am very concerned with where the money goes and how its spent. There's a "veteran's" group - Paralyzed Veterans of America that is heavy in its attempts to get donations. Reports have come out for 2 years that ZERO dollars have reached ANY veterans from this organization.

They don't get my money.

I donate mostly to Jewish organizations, the umbrella ones mostly like Federation or JNF or ...

There are so very many worthy causes out there. I figure with only 14 million of us worldwide (less than 1/2 a percent (point .2%)) & so much work to do, I should give there. Many of the final $ destinations for these are local social services that help without regard for religion or other factors except need. None of it is prostelyzing & staff always includes non-Jewish folks too.

I also verify each organization's % for actual services & give only to 85-90% funding going that way. Some are very highly effective with only a 2-3% for admin costs. If I can't get the data & verify it, forget it.

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For used items there is a wonderful NAMI (mental health) 2nd hand shop which employs patients & uses proceeds for their other services. It was the coolest thing to see my good suits on their racks with price tags on them.

When I donate anything, I am donating to the people (or animals, depending upon the charity), not the religion. I am more focused on how they are spending the money, food, clothes, ect. There religious affiliation is not going to prevent me from donating or not.

I agree with the first two posters; I try to find out how much goes towards the charity itself and how much goes to the staff, etc; secular or not. You'd be surprised at how upset some charities get (local, mostly) when I ask that question and where I can get answers on it!

No information to my satisfaction - no money.

I donate based upon what the charity does and I also check out what percentage of the money donated goes to the actual cause. Some charities pay more for their salaries and administrative costs than what they give to the cause they are supposed to be helping.

I refuse to donate to religious charities for two reasons:

They often try and convert while providing help, and they tend to have a bad track record when it comes to spending the money efficiently.

I will only donate to charities with no religious affiliation.

I am always more concerned with the purpose of the charity, how they spend their money and how efficient they are; then what religious group founded them.