Philanthropy Ideas

[NinnyNewName]

DH said to me yesterday "I've been thinking, you don't have to be a millionaire to start being a philanthropist" which was very timely as I had been thinking the same thing.

We are very grateful that he started a new job a few months ago and it's at a higher level so we do have a bit of spare cash and we'd like to donate some/give some away.

It's not going to be a life changing amount but I was thinking we'd make a start any way.

Can I please ask if anyone does similar/for ideas above and behind big charities/donating food at the supermarket?

Child poverty is particularly on my mind at the moment.

Thank you.

Trussell Trust is a good place to donate, or women's aid.
Better to give them money than things, as they know what need is in which area.

Well,
How much do you have to put into it?

Are there any local charities close to your heart that you could boost, or do an Amazon shop for from their wish list on a regular basis.

Unless we're taking significant amounts of funding setting up your own charity will be expensive and divert funds from somewhere you could directly out them into.

Need to give it some thought re amount because we also have 17 and 15 year old sons to consider but initially it would be around £250 per month so as I said, not a massive amount.

Would you like something local or national?

Don't forget to gift aid and include it on your tax return. More benefit if it comes from the higher-rate taxpayer

There is a local charity that does, 'dinner club,' for local youths, focusing on the teenagers in the area. It's every Friday and Saturday evening, and homecooked food.

What is the impact you want to have and on what.

I give to my child's school regularly for them to use as they see fit on education. Depends where you are but school budgets are rubbish here and currently not able to fund raise. I know the school brought extra laptops to lend to families so they children were able to access on line learning, for instance.

Great idea palavah.

I had thought local but we're in an affluence area of the South-East and we would want it to go to those most in need.

I really like the idea of buying stuff off an Amazon list for Women's Aid. I can't find a list but I've only had a quick look.

Thanks Theworld. Yes, we've done that all through my children's schooling. One is at a state secondary and one is at a sixth form. Neither are short of money due to the area we live in.

Whenever I have money to spare it goes to supporting causes I believe in on crowd justice. All the money goes straight to the legal team (apart from whatever cut CJ takes) so there's none of the fears about scams that you have with other crowd funders. To me, that's the best way to support grassroots movements and undermine power structures. I personally support feminist causes but there are lots of subjects on there to choose from.

Love that idea bygrabthars and have bookmarked the site to explore further. Thank you.

Does your local Community Foundation have a pot you can contribute to? Ours does, and they then run various grants programmes for charities.
The applications are professionally vetted and successful groups have to provide an evaluation at the end of the grant period.
Maybe worth considering?

Also, Lend With Care invest in overseas entrepreneurs. They focus on developing countries, and you can choose who to invest in - a farmer, or someone making crafts to sell, retailers etc. You can see the impact your loan has made, the number of people who've benefited etc. And you get the money repaid which can be either withdrawn or reinvested in another loan.

Have a look at Go Fund Me. There are campaigns for families with children bereaved or to be bereaved from cancer. Losing a parent at such a young age . Can't think of a lot more worthy and anonymous (or not) donations make a life changing difference. Sadly speaking from experience of close friends.

Donate online to your local foodbank?

Thanks guys. Lots of really helpful info here.

If it’s children in poverty you want to support, Children in Need have very strict criteria for who they fund and publish lists of all the organisations they support. You could search through their lists and find an organisation close to you. www.bbcchildreninneed.co.uk/grants/

We have a Charity Account with CAF. Put in a monthly amount and then donate lump sums whenever we hear if something that we want to contribute to. It claims the Gift Aid when you save so it’s all set up. It’s been great for us as every now and again we make a large lump sum donation which makes a huge difference and we can pick and choose where and when.