How much would you give to charity....

[OrgasmingNeighbour]

... if you had £70K per year spare?

If you expect to be able to keep up regular significant donation for some years, I'd consider discussing with a charity that works in some area meaningful to you, whether there is something they are struggling to keep doing or aren't able to start doing due to lack of funds, and see if there is something specific you could pledge regular support to.

I'm hoping that once my children are through university we may be in a position to plan more significant charitable giving, and my first targets will include a local mental health charity I had a lot of meaningful help from some years back; and the bursary funds of three schools my children were privileged to be able to attend with that support (we're doing small monthly amounts already but I'd like to be able to increase those one day!). I'm involved in music education and giving some combination of money and time in this area would probably be next once I can afford it.

Awful, I'm sorry this happened.

Would you feel comfortable DMing me their information?

Sorry, yes, I should've been clearer.

"Spare" means after all expenses are paid - so money that'd have just gone into savings and investments.

Mortgage is paid off. No debts. Both working. Enough saved to cover 12 years of unemployment very comfortably, 15 years if we tightened our belts a bit. No dependents.

I don't know how much, but I'd give some to an excellent local wildlife hospital who I know would actually use the money for good.
Air Ambulance too, I still think it's crazy they are a charity.

Nothing. Have you got family/friends you could help out?

its a lovely thing to do to give to charity.

like anything in life, some are brilliant and some are basically fronts for dishonest, grasping people.

I don’t have anything spare right now but when I do, I’ll restart the charitable giving. I’d always give to charities where I had some direct personal knowledge of actual benefit. Most of my friends that work for charities are fully behind them. Yes of course there are inefficiencies but have you ever worked in a large corporate? They are hardly lean mean machines. So much waste and indulgence.

I’d set up a fund to support underprivileged students to go to university.

Absolutely nothing.

I only have my mum. I've offered help where she might need it (like buying a smaller house or a bungalow because her health means she can't do the stairs well anymore). But she's refused. She knows it's there if/when she wants it.

DP has a brother and sister and nieces and nephews. But they're not close so he doesn't want to send anything their way.

Me too.

But I think it is logical!

As much as you want to. I prefer to give to individuals over formal charities. I also tend to give it to women and children first.

As well as charities have a think about your local primaries. Our outstanding school has been asking parents for contributions for stationery and books now as budgets so tight. We’re fortunate that the school is in an area where parents can and do contribute via the pta but I suspect a lot of schools are really struggling especially those in more deprived areas. Some smaller donations of £3-400 could make a difference re books or materials.

Anything could happen between now and death. You are assuming good health until you keel over. What if that's not the case? What if one of you needs care? We are constantly being told to provide for old age. Depending on location that could be £7k a month at current prices.

Whilst the aspiration to have given it all away on death is noble, the reality could mean an unpleasant old age. If you have no dependents, just leave everything to charity in your wills.

I would start by looking to set aside 10% of income.

Why not use this money to build an investment fund and then set up your own charity or non profit social enterprise from the profits? This enables you to retain control of the capital and utilise it wisely, keeping it ongoing indefinitely. Perhaps investigating local needs in your area to begin with and see where it leads?

Or if this seems too much involvement, another similar option is to build an investment portfolio and utilise profits for charities that provide micro loans for entrepreneurs in low income countries - charities such as Lend With Care. Again you keep control of your capital and can direct it where you feel it would be of most benefit.

https://lendwithcare.org/

Even if they’re not particularly close I’d still give it to my family before charity. Imagine how wonderful their life could be with a sizeable inheritance. I’d want to pass my good luck onto family.

But what’s wrong with passing on your good luck (and no doubt hard work) to others to whom you are not related but may be in need? There are charities helping people who are starving to death. Charities which are trying to help children in dire circumstances escape situations they have been forced into. There are charitable campaign groups trying to change the world for the better. Local charities trying to help people in or improve their area. Charities which offer respite care or days out to help both parents and their disabled children. Do you really have no urge to improve the world and help people you don’t know? I cannot understand that mentality.

If you didn't have any other expenses/savings/investments/family to divert the money to instead, then between 10-15% of what you have left over to go to the third party charity, so like £7,000 - £10,000.

We have local initiatives nearby - food waste / recycling / community based stuff.

Do you have anything like that near you?

I'm not talking about inheritance though. We're not planning on dying any time soon😂

My DP isn't at all close to his siblings so he wouldn't choose to give them money over a random stranger or charity in more need.

I'm not too sure to be honest - I'll take a look.

There was a group set up that used to take over random patches of wasteland and plant vegetables for the local community and local food bank. But I heard that it all got very political and nasty so not sure what happened to them. I haven't spotted any roadside cabbages for a year or so, so I'm guessing it all ended badly. Sad.

I hope not! The dying part!
Could you contact the local university and give a bursary to a student from a deprived background? You’d be helping a disadvantaged student go to university and give them a means to escape poverty.

I'd give to small local charities benefiting my local community. We have charities that benefit both the people who use the service and also part time employees (paid the real living wage) and volunteers using it as a stepping stone into other work, or to reconnect with their community. A lump sum will go a long way for a small charity and you can see the benefits.

Other than local I'd go with one with a specific focus like The Country Food Trust that supplies high protein nutritious meals to community kitchens and foodbanks.

10% of total income is a good guide.

I give 5% of my income.

I know what you mean about political.

I am friends with someone who runs once group and the bitching that goes on is incredible. Usually from those who don't contribute anything!

I fundraise for a charity called Access Adventures. They provide subsidised activities for disabled people to be active which I have benefited from and do a bit for my school.

My employer matches up to £500 too so I always make sure I raise (or give!) £500 to get the matched giving.