Factors in Charitable Giving

June 15, 2011

Kedric Webster

I am going to post a few points when it comes to choosing a charity or organization to give to.

The personal touch – It’s important that you have a personal connection to a charity. This may not always be the case when it comes to larger charities, but it is very helpful. When you give you have a name and a face behind the dollars and so a level of trust is established. Texting 12345 to give $10 to a charity may work when funds are needed immediately for a disaster, but it’s a bit on the impersonal side.

Don’t stop believing – I guess this should have been No. 1, but this is my blog. Yes, of course, you should actually believe in the work the charity performs before giving one zinc penny. It should be more than “Hey, I like you, here’s $100.” The charity should match your values so that you are not wasting your money. Check out the mission statement of the charity and see how things line up. If there are minor disagreements, don’t let that deter you in giving because there is no perfect charity.

Punching the Non-Profit time clock – Ask yourself, “Would I work for them?” If the answer is “No” or “Probably not” then there is likely not going to be a level of commitment that will sustain giving over a period of years. And the charity would rather you keep your cash if there are any clouds of doubt. Well, they’d probably take the cash, but refer back to #1 and the whole impersonal thing. If the answer is “Yes” that means you feel very good about the charity, to the point that you’d be willing to work with people who could potentially take your lunch from the break room fridge.

Mail for you sir! – This assumes you are already giving to a charity. Do you receive correspondence or phone calls thanking you for your support? Larger organizations, in order to save time, have letters with ready-made signatures already in place. This is perfectly fine because you can’t expect every note to be hand-written. But the ones that do include that hand-written card or phone call spell W-I-N-N-E-R.

I work hard for the money – Much of the money that comes into charities, organizations, and schools comes from constituents that fall into the middle class. There is a level of sacrifice from folks that is commendable. It’s good to keep in mind that the people working at the charity are also working hard. Often in the non-profit world employees are sacrificing potential money because they love where they work and believe in the cause. They’re also juggling career with family, activities, and friends. It’s in that respect where the giver should not expect the charity to do her bidding just because she gives money and the charity should respect the donor because most of the employees are just like her.

So who would you recommend giving to Webster? Or do you just hoard all your money for coffee, International Delight, and Mikes Hard Lemonade? I’m glad you asked so nicely! Most of these are all going to be Christian-based organizations because that’s what I am after all. I list these in particular because I feel they incorporate most of the five principles outlined above. I will not include my church because that should be a given.

Common Ground Montgomery (www.commongroundmontgomery.org/) – A great example of “incarnational” Christian living in Montgomery, AL. It is based on the Desire Street model of ministry, formerly of New Orleans. Bryan Kelly (B.K.) was at seminary (RTS-Orlando) the same time I was and developed a heart for cross-racial ministry that involved intentionally moving into a predominately African-American neighborhood. Through simply living out the gospel as neighbors to what it is today is an amazing story. Please read about it.

Third Millennium Ministries (www.thirdmill.org/) – Their slogan is Biblical Education, For the World, For Free. It was founded by a former RTS professor, Richard Pratt, who I had the pleasure of taking classes from. Dude is hilarious. Third Mill seeks to use the power of audio, video, and the Internet to get solid theological training to pastors and teachers around the world that can then use it to train up their congregations. The best part is that English is only one of the languages used for the curriculum. There is also Spanish, Portuguese, Mandarin Chinese, Arabic, and Russian. Third Mill uses native speakers of these languages to do voice-overs so the proper meaning comes through in the biblical lessons.

Harvest USA (www.harvestusa.org/) – Their slogan is Proclaiming Christ as Lord to a Sexually Broken World. With this particular organization I focus more on the Mid-South region based in Chattanooga. The Mid-South director is Dan Wilson, a former professor of mine at Bryan College. I remember reading that he digs Reformation theology and U2. There you go. This is a very important ministry for our time.

Christian Resource Center of Kenya (www.thecrcofkenya.org/) – This particular one is, at this time, in the process of being established. It is the vision of one Josiah Katumu, of Nairobi, Kenya, famous for liking Kenyan tea, Chelsea soccer, and annoying me. Of the Five Points (Calvinism!), it is Point 3 that I identify with because I could see myself working with Josiah in this ministry. I’ve already been involved in many ways from the beginning so the possibility is there.

The CRC will be based in Nairobi and will be a place where pastors can have access to resources they are unable to obtain. Access to the seminary libraries in Nairobi is limited and simply giving out books to people is not effective. The plan is have a library, bookstore, and coffee shop. There will also be enough land to have dwelling places for people to come in for conferences. If you want to get involved in something that will have a lasting impact on the church in East Africa, contact Josiah. He would love to talk to you.

Ronald McDonald House Charities of Central Florida (www.rmhorlando.com/) – How can I have a list without including the one charity that I work for? That’s right, and a fine organization it is. I’ve had many friends work for RMH and over time the volunteers have become good friends. There are so many different ways to help from making a meal for the guests, becoming a “shift” volunteer, or helping out at a RMH fundraising event. Giving also keeps me employed so I can feed my cats. Best write that check right now.

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KW

June 16, 2011 10:24 AM

Testing the comment section.

Josiah Katumu

June 16, 2011 10:57 AM

Thanks for the blog man...and I appreciate your comments on giving.

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Factors in Charitable Giving

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