To ask for help picking a charity.

[Mrswhiskerson]

I am starting a small buisness in my spare time I have my buisness plan and a small amount of stock to start with, it is important to me to donate a percentage of my profits i want to do this from the start .
I am having trouble coming to a decision over which one to pick , there are so many and which ones are in the most need? I am hoping if it takes off I can really help others for now it will be small amounts as I have small stock but like I say this will grow in time.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.

[itisnearlysummer]

That's a really lovely idea. Do you have any particular interests that would help you decide? e.g. a children's hospice, cancer, animal charities.

I personally would find one that was based quite locally. That way you might be able to get involved in other ways too.

[charitygirl]

ooh, fun! Well, what are you interested in, subject wise? Children and families? International development? Environment? Community resources? Animals?

Would you like to donate to a local charity, or one with national or international reach? Is it important to you that your money goes into specific projects which you can feel excited about, or would you be happy to help a charoty meet its core costs (so hard to fund for most charities)?

If you say more about these things, I'm sure you can start to narrow it down.

[Mrswhiskerson]

I feel most passionate about domestic violence , depression and bullying and help for the elderly.
I would like to help a smaller charity , the ones who end up ignored or the causes which go ignored iyswim?

[itisnearlysummer]

Is your business idea something you could link to any of the charities, e.g. running stalls at open days, offering discounted services. Would other support you could offer be appropriate to any of the charities you're interested in?

[Mrswhiskerson]

I could have stalls At charity events and would happily give free time to help ,links to the charity when my online shop is up and runnning etc and I am looking into gift aid so they don't have to pay tax on anything I give.
I want to give a percentage of the profit off every single thing I sell.

[charitygirl]

Excellent! Well, local options for those would include your local Rape Crisis - they are having major funding issues or women's refuge. There are local branches of Mind (Mind is national but each local Mind is a separate charity which needs to fundraise in its own right). Your donation would help support local befriending services.

Bullying - hmm, I'm less aware of local services but you could check out national resources like beatbullying and kidscape.

Elderly - Help the aged and Age Concern recently merged to form Age Uk - Im not sure whether the local branches are still independent charities in their own right. Otherwise, maybe google 'elder abuse', or elderly befriendiong services in your area, to find a less glam/well-known charity?

On charity websiotes, read their Annual Review and Reports, and their evidence of impact reports to get an idea of how they work etc.

[DecapitatedLegoman]

Have you heard of the Cinnamon Trust? It's a great charity which fosters pets whose owners, usually the elderly, are unwell. For many old people their pets are their closest, or even only, companion, and knowing their faithful friend is being cared for can bring huge relief to them. Otherwise many of these pets may end up being rehomed or left in boarding kennels for long periods. a great charity which fosters pets whose owners, usually the elderly, are unwell. For many old people their pets are their closest, or even only, companion, and knowing their faithful friend is being cared for can bring huge relief to them. Otherwise many of these pets may end up being rehomed or left in boarding kennels for long periods. I guess it's an animal charity for people. imal charity for people.

[DecapitatedLegoman]

Sorry - not sure what happened there.e what happened there.

[LadyFlumpalot]

I'm going to unashamedly suggest a charity that is very dear to my heart, and is just starting up. The Eva B Foundation.

It was set up in memory of my best friend (by her family and friends) who suffered very, very badly from a rare form of OCD and unfortunately decided to take her own life as a result. The foundation aims to bring attention and help to mental health issues, depression etc. It is also a good place to make contact with organisations that can help.

At least two of the founders and trustees have mental health issues of their own.

Please give it a thought?

[5inabed]

I don't know where you are from but could I suggest Deafblind Scotland? This is a very small charity that works with mostly elderly people who have little sight or hearing, some of which struggle with mental health issues due to their sensory deprivation.

www.deafblindscotland.org.uk

[chill1243]

I prefer smaller local charities. A lot of the bigger ones have loads of money in the bank