Charities & Causes

charities

Charities & Causes

Posted by: Mick

13th Jun 2011 11:56am

Most Charities are funded mainly by the Government, but love to take all the credit, let all charities give credit where that happens


Comments 29

di
  • 2nd Nov 2012 10:17pm

Would someone please tell me what BHA is, it is often mentioned in peoples comments & I for one do not know what it is.
Di

jjdrer
  • 21st Oct 2012 09:43am

I have also discovered that the groups that train guide dogs don't get any Govt assistance either. It is entirely donation and sponsorship funded. The are fortunate that some very loyal companies supply food, beds and other products for their use.
They live with volunteers (puppy educators) for approx. 12 months before returning for the next stage of their training. Puppy educators walk the dogs every day - in Summer it has to be early morning before the footpath and road surfaces get hot( their feet burn otherwise) and also they can dehydrate much quicker without you realising. Some of the puppy educators actually take them to work with them if appropriate to get them used to different surroundings etc. They are not allowed to take them in a vehicle if it is going to be over 30 degrees centigrade.

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:13pm

There have been specifically humanist charities in the past where there was a specific need. When sheltered housing for the elderly and adoption were dominated by religious charities, the BHA set up pioneering charities that did excellent work in those two fields. When specifically humanist provision was no longer required, they merged with larger, mainstream charities in their fields.

mizkrissi
  • 18th Oct 2012 08:36am

I am going to speak from my knowledge and position as an RN and as someone that runs fundraisers. I put 100% of the money I raise when I run an event to the charity. My friends and myself put our own money in to fund any items needed to supply the fundraiser so that all the proceeds go in as donations and NOTHING gets spent on admin or running costs. I have no idea how much that has cost me in the last few years and I don't want to know because I am doing this for charity particularly kids charities

The majority of funding for equipment in the wards for places such as North Shore Kids Ward (via Humpty Dumpty), Westmead Kids & The Children's Hospital, Randwick comes from fundraising - direct donations to the hospitals, bequests, and flow on from major organisations charity fundraising days such as Jeans for Genes, Loud Shirt, Red Nose, etc

Without these vital pieces of the latest equipment for the kids their clinical outcomes are not as good. That's why I do this to make sure someone who rocks in to the ED or the ward with their child I might never meet or never even know about will still have their child when they get discharged because I could not live with knowing I could have done something to help avoid a family lose a child; make it that a child recovered better or had something detected earlier so they could be treated less intrusively and have a better life by running a charity fundraiser and donating the money

The charities I have chosen to support, after researching them and their methods, I feel are doing the most effective work across the whole of life and for the community. I encourage others to do their research before choosing charities if they are going to give substantial support to an organisation, as opposed to a gold coin here or there when a tin rattles round

Then again I always empty my change purse when I see the Salvos, buy a Big Issue and give them at least a $20 if I have it so they can get lunch and do online donations to Anglicare each year as well because I feel that while I have money and a job I should share the love with those not so lucky atm because next month or next year I might not be so fortunate and need help

mizkrissi
  • 20th Oct 2012 07:29pm

Sorry Mizz what exactly does your cut n paste spam-style "reply" to my post, and almost everyone elses' post, have to do with what I said? What was the point of you posting that on almost every post and quoting the OP's post along with it each time. Just seemed to take up forum space...

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:15pm
I am going to speak from my knowledge and position as an RN and as someone that runs fundraisers. I put 100% of the money I raise when I run an event to the charity. My friends and myself put our...

BHA members give money and/or time generously and regularly to an average of 6 charities each. Humanists tend to plan their giving rationally and selectively, but most also respond generously to emergency appeals and street collections. The most popular causes were those connected with social welfare (27%) and international development/aid (21%). Only 2 out of 676 respondents did not support charitable giving. (BHA survey in Humanity, 2000). For comparison: according to a Mori survey for Nestlé Family Monitor in 2000, just under half the British public undertook voluntary work that year, and 92% had given money to at least one charity. 1 in 5 gave regularly, and 1 in 5 was a member of a charity, though the most popular forms of giving were to street collections (55%) and to door-to-door collections (50%). Only 36% of the general public contributed to 5 or more charities. Children’s charities and medical research charities were the most popular.

jjdrer
  • 18th May 2012 09:36pm

Unfortunately some people claim assistance from charities that have no need to do so. A Uniting Church Support Group in country Vic. was approached by a lady who had her baby in paper as a nappy. They gave her food for the whole family + clothing etc. for the baby. The following day they decided to visit her to what other assistance they needed as they had asked for her address. They lived in a beautiful 2 storey house and there was a luxury car parked in the carport. They thought they may have written down the wrong house number so they knocked next door. The neighbour told them that he ahd a good job and that they wanted for nothing -that the baby was normally beautifully dressed. It is thought it was a cry for help. They returned several times but the door was never answered.

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:16pm
that is disgraceful Blossom, though i am sure there are many more stories like that. Unfortunately, because of those people, there is less for the genuine ones who need help. Maybe there needs to...

BHA members give money and/or time generously and regularly to an average of 6 charities each. Humanists tend to plan their giving rationally and selectively, but most also respond generously to emergency appeals and street collections. The most popular causes were those connected with social welfare (27%) and international development/aid (21%). Only 2 out of 676 respondents did not support charitable giving. (BHA survey in Humanity, 2000). For comparison: according to a Mori survey for Nestlé Family Monitor in 2000, just under half the British public undertook voluntary work that year, and 92% had given money to at least one charity. 1 in 5 gave regularly, and 1 in 5 was a member of a charity, though the most popular forms of giving were to street collections (55%) and to door-to-door collections (50%). Only 36% of the general public contributed to 5 or more charities. Children’s charities and medical research charities were the most popular.

tigrashadow
  • 15th Jun 2012 06:11pm
Unfortunately some people claim assistance from charities that have no need to do so. A Uniting Church Support Group in country Vic. was approached by a lady who had her baby in paper as a nappy....

that is disgraceful Blossom, though i am sure there are many more stories like that. Unfortunately, because of those people, there is less for the genuine ones who need help. Maybe there needs to be a Do Not Give register of names of people who do this regularly.

There are so many causes i would love to give to as i believe they do great work but unfortunately i must be picky (and cant give too much either) and try to donate to the smaller ones who have less media coverage etc.

It does get me a little irate though, when big charities spend so much money on mail outs and extra little 'gifts' to try and get your donations - i'm sure the money could be better spent.

Many charities and Not-for-profit organisations do get funding but it is barely enough to keep running in their field. The ones i know and deal with (mental health NGO sector) do mention where they get their main funding from.

sorry this reply started as a response to Blossom but ended as a bit of everything

marg
  • 17th Mar 2012 09:53am

I always help out the westpac helicopter as they are totally reliant on charity I have had friends that have needed them in health situations and they are free if u r in need of them ....which was news to me .....

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:15pm
I always help out the westpac helicopter as they are totally reliant on charity I have had friends that have needed them in health situations and they are free if u r in need of them ....which was...

BHA members give money and/or time generously and regularly to an average of 6 charities each. Humanists tend to plan their giving rationally and selectively, but most also respond generously to emergency appeals and street collections. The most popular causes were those connected with social welfare (27%) and international development/aid (21%). Only 2 out of 676 respondents did not support charitable giving. (BHA survey in Humanity, 2000). For comparison: according to a Mori survey for Nestlé Family Monitor in 2000, just under half the British public undertook voluntary work that year, and 92% had given money to at least one charity. 1 in 5 gave regularly, and 1 in 5 was a member of a charity, though the most popular forms of giving were to street collections (55%) and to door-to-door collections (50%). Only 36% of the general public contributed to 5 or more charities. Children’s charities and medical research charities were the most popular.

Chezz5
  • 16th Mar 2012 11:36pm

The trouble is I only have so much to go round and there are just sooooooo many good and worthwhile causes so I try and limit my charity dollar to a few. I support a child through world Vision and I always donate to Multiple Sclerosis as my sister died from the disease and I have a brother and a nephew who has it. Having just visited South Sudan and a little school in Bor called Ducuum, I am trying to raise money for that. It was such a privilege to be the person who gave them their first books, pens, pencils and paper and so humbling as I represented my school community which has everything. the teachers hadn't been paid in months and there was only one long drop loo, one pump and, in essence, mostly just goodwill and hope.

Mandymoo
  • 16th Mar 2012 08:03pm

I support TEAR which allows you to buy a chicken or school supplies. I give them as gifts to family members like my Nan, who doesn't need anything but I still like to give something. She likes the cards and likes to see what the money is going towards. It is also not run by the government and I feel like my money is actually going towards something specific not a charities coffers.

Anonymous
  • 15th Mar 2012 02:23am

yes seesaw, a lot (if not all) orgs cream off some of the donated $ for administration. And where they say that they do not, sometimes it is because they have alternative untied money that they are able to use for administration. I understand that it does cost money to run an organization, even if it is just to buy photocopy paper...but I DO object strongly to 'top heavy' organizations who seem to exist just to pay their administrative staff!

- and there is a HUGE variance in the percentage that is utilised as administration - but any organisation should be able to tell you what proportion is used in admin. (and, as I said if they say that NO money is siphoned off, then it also pays to ask how their admin costs are paid.) It is up to you as a donor to decide how much you think is acceptable.

You should be able to ask for and receive an audited financial report,- and any organisation that is not transparent about that sort of thing does not get my money.

sherri
  • 22nd Nov 2011 11:31am

Not really understanding what you are getting at here Mick.

I know that where charities do receive some government funding they are required to acknowledge that for that particular program - you will usually see that fact printed on their pamphlets etc. But charities - particularly the larger ones run multiple programs, and not all of these are government funded, - and even where they are, the government may not fund ALL of the program.

And some charities will receive a grant to run a particular program.

And some receive no funding at all.

It is a real mixed bag! - but rest assured, where a charity receives government funding for a program, they are required to acnowledge that.

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:15pm
yes, I know what you mean. - as I have said elsewhere on this site, I am now very picky how and where I spend my charity $, preferring to spend it ethically. (extremely sad and ironical to say...

BHA members give money and/or time generously and regularly to an average of 6 charities each. Humanists tend to plan their giving rationally and selectively, but most also respond generously to emergency appeals and street collections. The most popular causes were those connected with social welfare (27%) and international development/aid (21%). Only 2 out of 676 respondents did not support charitable giving. (BHA survey in Humanity, 2000). For comparison: according to a Mori survey for Nestlé Family Monitor in 2000, just under half the British public undertook voluntary work that year, and 92% had given money to at least one charity. 1 in 5 gave regularly, and 1 in 5 was a member of a charity, though the most popular forms of giving were to street collections (55%) and to door-to-door collections (50%). Only 36% of the general public contributed to 5 or more charities. Children’s charities and medical research charities were the most popular.

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:14pm
Some of the admin money is used for electricity and rent of buildings.

BHA members give money and/or time generously and regularly to an average of 6 charities each. Humanists tend to plan their giving rationally and selectively, but most also respond generously to emergency appeals and street collections. The most popular causes were those connected with social welfare (27%) and international development/aid (21%). Only 2 out of 676 respondents did not support charitable giving. (BHA survey in Humanity, 2000). For comparison: according to a Mori survey for Nestlé Family Monitor in 2000, just under half the British public undertook voluntary work that year, and 92% had given money to at least one charity. 1 in 5 gave regularly, and 1 in 5 was a member of a charity, though the most popular forms of giving were to street collections (55%) and to door-to-door collections (50%). Only 36% of the general public contributed to 5 or more charities. Children’s charities and medical research charities were the most popular.

jjdrer
  • 19th May 2012 01:25pm
yes seesaw, a lot (if not all) orgs cream off some of the donated $ for administration. And where they say that they do not, sometimes it is because they have alternative untied money that they are...

Some of the admin money is used for electricity and rent of buildings.

sherri
  • 28th Dec 2011 06:23pm
I donote to children,s Charities,mosty the Cancer Research programs,and I often wonder,just how much goes to the actual charity,or to pay the helpers,I have been told that most charities,only get...

yes seesaw, a lot (if not all) orgs cream off some of the donated $ for administration. And where they say that they do not, sometimes it is because they have alternative untied money that they are able to use for administration. I understand that it does cost money to run an organization, even if it is just to buy photocopy paper...but I DO object strongly to 'top heavy' organizations who seem to exist just to pay their administrative staff!

- and there is a HUGE variance in the percentage that is utilised as administration - but any organisation should be able to tell you what proportion is used in admin. (and, as I said if they say that NO money is siphoned off, then it also pays to ask how their admin costs are paid.) It is up to you as a donor to decide how much you think is acceptable.

You should be able to ask for and receive an audited financial report,- and any organisation that is not transparent about that sort of thing does not get my money.

sherri
  • 28th Dec 2011 06:14pm
I donote to children,s Charities,mosty the Cancer Research programs,and I often wonder,just how much goes to the actual charity,or to pay the helpers,I have been told that most charities,only get...

yes, I know what you mean. - as I have said elsewhere on this site, I am now very picky how and where I spend my charity $, preferring to spend it ethically. (extremely sad and ironical to say that not all charities are ethical!! - I feel that more of a $ that I donate to an organisation that behaves ethically is likely to get through to those who need it.)

My personal motto is if an organization cold calls me, then I cross them off my list - and tell the caller that I have done so.

And most definitely, a caller who is rude or otherwise behaves inappropriately earns a complaint letter to the organization! - PARTICULARLY since many charities now 'outsource' their phone-canvassing. (I think that some of them even employ people from overseas - which FURTHER reduces accountability.)

If charities realize that using cold-calling, - particularly with rude staff, or utilizing emotional blackmail REDUCES the chance of people donating, then they will stop doing it.

seesaw
  • 28th Dec 2011 04:21pm
Not really understanding what you are getting at here Mick.

I know that where charities do receive some government funding they are required to acknowledge that for that particular...

I donote to children,s Charities,mosty the Cancer Research programs,and I often wonder,just how much goes to the actual charity,or to pay the helpers,I have been told that most charities,only get around 20cents of a dollar,the rest go towards administration fees,I would like to find out if this is right or not,sometimes on the phone when I have been unable to help,they can get very rude,and make a person feel guilty.

Mick
  • 4th Nov 2011 05:45pm

Great to hear, obviously genuine people running it

Anonymous
  • 4th Nov 2011 01:38pm

I know of a charity that does not receive Govt funding, and does not get media coverage nor many positive responses from grant applications but helps hundreds upon hundreds of families. The volunteers use their own fuel and resources most of the time to help people going through tough times.

di
  • 2nd Nov 2012 10:10pm
Not really understanding what you are getting at here Mick.

I know that where charities do receive some government funding they are required to acknowledge that for that particular...

Grindy I am not questioning your honesty, but let us know how you come to know so much about this charity & how we get in touch with them.
Di

EileenW1
  • 2nd Nov 2012 09:39pm
Which charity is that grindy ?you have to let people know

Mick, my husband and I are Aussie pensioners but we have our own little charity called Boots for Bali which supplies soccer and other sports gear to poor East Bali villages. We also sponsor a kindergarten and in four years have furnished two rooms, provided uniforms, two security gates, playground equipment, stationery, a kitchen so children can have breakfast, and paid three years lease for them. We have supplied five villages with soccer shirts, boots etc and paid for them to join the local association. There are many, many people like us who do what we can, without any help from any Governments. We fundraise, run raffles, sausage sizzles, second hand book fairs and charity golf days. On our last visit, last month (October) we were overjoyed to see that 9 special needs children were now able to attend our kindy FREE OF CHARGE because of the help we have given. This is the only kindergarten in bali which is free for the local village children. Don't be inactive because of your sceptisim. You too can make a difference to someone else in need, no matter how small.

Anonymous
  • 20th Oct 2012 02:14pm
I met a lady from Red Cross last week. Some of the Volunteers actually pay for services they provide themselves. e.g. they run a phone call system. They contact people to check that they are OK -...

There have been specifically humanist charities in the past where there was a specific need. When sheltered housing for the elderly and adoption were dominated by religious charities, the BHA set up pioneering charities that did excellent work in those two fields. When specifically humanist provision was no longer required, they merged with larger, mainstream charities in their fields.

jjdrer
  • 19th May 2012 01:22pm
I met a lady from Red Cross last week. Some of the Volunteers actually pay for services they provide themselves. e.g. they run a phone call system. They contact people to check that they are OK -...

I met a lady from Red Cross last week. Some of the Volunteers actually pay for services they provide themselves. e.g. they run a phone call system. They contact people to check that they are OK - on their own home phones. Those who have uniforms pay for them themselves too. During WW11 my now late Mother together (with a lot of friends of hers) was in the voluntary Red Cross and assisted at several hospitals and convelescent homes. Some of the hospitals were short-staffed as some had gone overseas, either with the armed forces or as volunteers. They weren't allowed to give medication but assisted by bathing, feeding and in some cases changing bandages if they had first aid/ home nursing certificates. They paid for their own uniforms (and had to use their coupons), and had to have different things in addition. One thing was changed so they had to buy extra things so they matched.

Anonymous
  • 4th Nov 2011 04:37pm
Which charity is that grindy ?you have to let people know

Care Outreach based in Queensland is the charity. It has been operating for 17 or so years....

Mick
  • 4th Nov 2011 04:02pm
Which charity is that grindy ?you have to let people know

Which charity is that grindy ?you have to let people know

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