The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities focuses on government budget and tax implications for low-income families and individuals in ensure all constituents are considered in those policies. The organization works to increase efficiency in current programs and maintain benefits in future proposals. I like how the groups tries to remove the political fight from the debate and focus on the facts that shape legislation.
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Charity. Show all posts
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Saturday, April 30, 2011
Wk17: Carnegie Institution for Science
Donate to the Carnegie Institution for Science
The Carnegie Institution for Science supports scientific research and researchers by funding institutes and programs within their focused fields. These fields are: Embryology, Geophysical Laboratory, Global Ecology, Observatories, Plant Biology, Terrestrial Magnetism, and Carnegie Academy for Science Education. I like their broad scope in fields that are undeserved otherwise. Their focus is not just to make the next breakthrough, but to advance the field.
The Carnegie Institution for Science supports scientific research and researchers by funding institutes and programs within their focused fields. These fields are: Embryology, Geophysical Laboratory, Global Ecology, Observatories, Plant Biology, Terrestrial Magnetism, and Carnegie Academy for Science Education. I like their broad scope in fields that are undeserved otherwise. Their focus is not just to make the next breakthrough, but to advance the field.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Wk16: National Alliance to End Homelessness
Donate to the National Alliance to End Homelessness
The National Alliance to end Homelessness works through research, legislation and action. The main goal of the organization is to identify the causes and issues surrounding the homeless and then working to develop programs what prevent and reduce homelessness. I like how the group is a source of information as much as it is a voice for their cause.
The National Alliance to end Homelessness works through research, legislation and action. The main goal of the organization is to identify the causes and issues surrounding the homeless and then working to develop programs what prevent and reduce homelessness. I like how the group is a source of information as much as it is a voice for their cause.
Saturday, April 16, 2011
Wk15: Child Find of America
Donate to Child Find of America
This charity works to prevent and solve child abductions. Child Find of America has created programs to educate children, parents, and law enforcement about all aspects of child abductions. The organization also publishes a list of missing children to aid law enforcement. The groups seems to have their heart in the right place so that no child stays missing.
This charity works to prevent and solve child abductions. Child Find of America has created programs to educate children, parents, and law enforcement about all aspects of child abductions. The organization also publishes a list of missing children to aid law enforcement. The groups seems to have their heart in the right place so that no child stays missing.
Saturday, April 9, 2011
Wk14: Big Brothers Big Sister
Donate to Big Brothers and Big Sisters
A good charity that helps provide role models for kids that need them. 'Nuf said.
A good charity that helps provide role models for kids that need them. 'Nuf said.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Wk13: NARSAD: The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
Donate to The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation [http://www.narsad.org/] distributes money to organization and groups that are studying brain disorders. I kind of wished they actually worked on solving those illnesses, but I guess when you are studying something as diverse as the human brain, it is good to find those that are the most qualified for each area of research and help them out. Per their website, "[they] have awarded nearly $300 million worldwide to more than 3,000 scientists. . ." Their grants are used to fund projects that either study or work on treatments for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety disorders in adults and children. This organization just seems like a good, general research program that is trying to pool money to the best-of-the-best projects.
The Brain and Behavior Research Foundation [http://www.narsad.org/] distributes money to organization and groups that are studying brain disorders. I kind of wished they actually worked on solving those illnesses, but I guess when you are studying something as diverse as the human brain, it is good to find those that are the most qualified for each area of research and help them out. Per their website, "[they] have awarded nearly $300 million worldwide to more than 3,000 scientists. . ." Their grants are used to fund projects that either study or work on treatments for depression, bipolar disorder, schizophrenia, autism, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and anxiety disorders in adults and children. This organization just seems like a good, general research program that is trying to pool money to the best-of-the-best projects.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Wk12: AmeriCares - Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Fund
Donate to the AmeriCares Japanese Earthquake and Tsunami Fund.
AmeriCares [AmeriCares.org] is an aid program that responds to disasters and humanitarian crisis all over the world. This groups has a high rank from Charity Navigator [CharityNavigator.org] and uses 98% of donations for program services. I liked how their have a long track record of providing necessary help around the world and how they have a programs designed for helping Japan after the 2011 earthquake/tsunami. I feel like I want to help those suffering in Japan right now and that this group can do that. AmeriCares is currently delivering basic hygienic items and working with local organizations in Japan is deal with food and shelter shortages.
AmeriCares [AmeriCares.org] is an aid program that responds to disasters and humanitarian crisis all over the world. This groups has a high rank from Charity Navigator [CharityNavigator.org] and uses 98% of donations for program services. I liked how their have a long track record of providing necessary help around the world and how they have a programs designed for helping Japan after the 2011 earthquake/tsunami. I feel like I want to help those suffering in Japan right now and that this group can do that. AmeriCares is currently delivering basic hygienic items and working with local organizations in Japan is deal with food and shelter shortages.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
Wk11: National Council on Aging
Donate to National Council on Aging
I like the idea of an organization not just caring for the elderly, but also promoting a better life for them. NCOA creates programs that provide meaningful and prosperous work for the elderly to supplement their income and offer a way for seniors to share their time. This works with their effort to find other programs that also keep the senior citizens healthy and dignified into their golden years. It just seems that NCOA is working with the elderly rather than for those that are finished with the older generation.
I like the idea of an organization not just caring for the elderly, but also promoting a better life for them. NCOA creates programs that provide meaningful and prosperous work for the elderly to supplement their income and offer a way for seniors to share their time. This works with their effort to find other programs that also keep the senior citizens healthy and dignified into their golden years. It just seems that NCOA is working with the elderly rather than for those that are finished with the older generation.
Saturday, March 12, 2011
Wk10: Tax Foundation
Donate to the Tax Foundation
I will be relocating later this year and I used the Tax Foundation's summary of different states tax-burdens to influence my choice. This is all public knowledge, though I like how this group put it together and ranked the difference locations. It is interesting to see how many taxes people encounter beyond just income tax with-holdings. Even if the Federal taxes seem high or not, everyone has to add in the local state, county, and city taxes that can easily double what you paid to Uncle Sam. This groups advocates for a more sensible tax code and premise and I think anything that makes live easier is a good idea.
I will be relocating later this year and I used the Tax Foundation's summary of different states tax-burdens to influence my choice. This is all public knowledge, though I like how this group put it together and ranked the difference locations. It is interesting to see how many taxes people encounter beyond just income tax with-holdings. Even if the Federal taxes seem high or not, everyone has to add in the local state, county, and city taxes that can easily double what you paid to Uncle Sam. This groups advocates for a more sensible tax code and premise and I think anything that makes live easier is a good idea.
Thursday, March 3, 2011
Wk9: Action Against Hunger
Donate to Action Against Hunger
Action Against Hunger works globally to end hunger. The organizations helps over five million people a year in 40 countries with food security/safety and water and hygiene. I like how they go beyond just feeding people and focus on the problems the cause the hunger. They work with the farmers to ensure their techniques are sustainable while also encouraging healthy and nutritious crops. They will also help educate the public about malnutrition and water safety to make sure every source of hunger is identified.
Action Against Hunger works globally to end hunger. The organizations helps over five million people a year in 40 countries with food security/safety and water and hygiene. I like how they go beyond just feeding people and focus on the problems the cause the hunger. They work with the farmers to ensure their techniques are sustainable while also encouraging healthy and nutritious crops. They will also help educate the public about malnutrition and water safety to make sure every source of hunger is identified.
Saturday, February 26, 2011
Wk8: Helen Keller International
Donate to Helen Keller International
While my cat is named after this famous blind person, I found their works around the world to be the real reason for donating. This group works to eliminate blindness through local partnerships, HKI focuses on everything from cataract surgery to providing eye exams and everything in between. This organizations also works to fight malnutrition that can also cause vision impairment. I like how HKI takes a total-cause look at blindness world wide to help end it.
While my cat is named after this famous blind person, I found their works around the world to be the real reason for donating. This group works to eliminate blindness through local partnerships, HKI focuses on everything from cataract surgery to providing eye exams and everything in between. This organizations also works to fight malnutrition that can also cause vision impairment. I like how HKI takes a total-cause look at blindness world wide to help end it.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Wk7: Physicians for Peace
Donate to Physicians for Peace
This organizations sends medical professionals to under-served global locations to trains local providers. They work with medical and dental personnel to help ensure that everyone has the ability to receive the best possible care. They offer everything from general medicine, maternity/child care, to providing glasses and dental services. They have worked in Haiti and have an ongoing presence in the Philippines among other places.
This organizations sends medical professionals to under-served global locations to trains local providers. They work with medical and dental personnel to help ensure that everyone has the ability to receive the best possible care. They offer everything from general medicine, maternity/child care, to providing glasses and dental services. They have worked in Haiti and have an ongoing presence in the Philippines among other places.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Wk6: Fisher House Foundation
Donate to the Fisher House Foundation
I liked the premise of this organizations. They build facilities to temporarily provide free housing to the family members of military veterans that need post-service care. They build housing options near military and VA medical centers so that the family members can be near their service person while they receive treatment. I think this is a great, fair service so that everyone can be taken care of after military service. The accommodations look nice even though they are free; a great way to reunite families.
I liked the premise of this organizations. They build facilities to temporarily provide free housing to the family members of military veterans that need post-service care. They build housing options near military and VA medical centers so that the family members can be near their service person while they receive treatment. I think this is a great, fair service so that everyone can be taken care of after military service. The accommodations look nice even though they are free; a great way to reunite families.
Saturday, February 5, 2011
Wk5: NPR and PBS
Support Arizona Public Media
I've been listening to a bit more NPR lately and I figured that keeping Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! on the air is a noble pursuit. I found it was more odd than annoying, but NPR has you donate to your local affiliate rather than a national pot. I guess it keeps the community stations active and the focus, but it doesn't really matter to me as long as someone uses my donation.
Now for the interesting part, the local NPR stations also hosts the local PBS channel; so two birds with one stone. I don't know if every broadcaster is like this, but it meant that I'm also supporting Nova with my donation. All around, I wanted you keep public media alive, even if their government funding is in jeopardy.
I've been listening to a bit more NPR lately and I figured that keeping Wait, Wait, Don't Tell Me! on the air is a noble pursuit. I found it was more odd than annoying, but NPR has you donate to your local affiliate rather than a national pot. I guess it keeps the community stations active and the focus, but it doesn't really matter to me as long as someone uses my donation.
Now for the interesting part, the local NPR stations also hosts the local PBS channel; so two birds with one stone. I don't know if every broadcaster is like this, but it meant that I'm also supporting Nova with my donation. All around, I wanted you keep public media alive, even if their government funding is in jeopardy.
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wk4: Cancer Research Institute
Donate to Cancer Research Institute
This organization not only works to treat cancer, but also to identify and prevent cancer. I like how they work to fund many different programs and are not limited to just one type of cancer or a certain stage of cancer. This groups ranked fairly high on Charity Navigator Rating, so I figured they could use the money.
This organization not only works to treat cancer, but also to identify and prevent cancer. I like how they work to fund many different programs and are not limited to just one type of cancer or a certain stage of cancer. This groups ranked fairly high on Charity Navigator Rating, so I figured they could use the money.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Wk3: The Conservation Fund
Donate to The Conservation Fund
I've heard of this group before and after checking their website I am satisfied that they are an environmental group that actually does something. Rather than focusing on only environmental regulation, they will actually purchase the land to protect it. This sound like they might try an swindle donators, but they work with government agencies to protect land that is in need of protection and then manage it for the public good. This organization also works with cities to promote green infrastructure and environmentally friendly economic development. They seem to be trying to work with those that might threaten environments, rather than just against them. All around, I felt they are really working for natural surroundings.
I've heard of this group before and after checking their website I am satisfied that they are an environmental group that actually does something. Rather than focusing on only environmental regulation, they will actually purchase the land to protect it. This sound like they might try an swindle donators, but they work with government agencies to protect land that is in need of protection and then manage it for the public good. This organization also works with cities to promote green infrastructure and environmentally friendly economic development. They seem to be trying to work with those that might threaten environments, rather than just against them. All around, I felt they are really working for natural surroundings.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Wk2: American Red Cross
Donate to the American Red Cross
The Red Cross is a catch-all charity. On their website you can pick your donation to go to a general fund, disaster relief, a local chapter, or to helping military families. I have donated blood in the past and if that is symbolic of anything, I like how they handle themselves. The staff always seems informed and professional. Since I do not believe I can donate blood for a while, I feel like the monetary donation will make it to where it is needed. I know they have international and domestic efforts that are always ongoing and I remember reading that one of the best ways to help is to give money since they can then buy whatever they need.
The Red Cross is a catch-all charity. On their website you can pick your donation to go to a general fund, disaster relief, a local chapter, or to helping military families. I have donated blood in the past and if that is symbolic of anything, I like how they handle themselves. The staff always seems informed and professional. Since I do not believe I can donate blood for a while, I feel like the monetary donation will make it to where it is needed. I know they have international and domestic efforts that are always ongoing and I remember reading that one of the best ways to help is to give money since they can then buy whatever they need.
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Wk1: Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
Donate to Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.
I use Wikipedia all the time. I'd say that nine times out of ten, when I search for something, I just want the Wikipedia article. I like how you get all the information that is fact checked to some degree and then presented in a concise format. I've been thinking of donating to this organization for a while, and this Daily Show interview of Jimmy Whales convinced me that now was a good time. I like how he made a point of stressing that he is a volunteer, not a worker. I figured I could help these volunteers keep their work available for everyone.
I use Wikipedia all the time. I'd say that nine times out of ten, when I search for something, I just want the Wikipedia article. I like how you get all the information that is fact checked to some degree and then presented in a concise format. I've been thinking of donating to this organization for a while, and this Daily Show interview of Jimmy Whales convinced me that now was a good time. I like how he made a point of stressing that he is a volunteer, not a worker. I figured I could help these volunteers keep their work available for everyone.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Charities
I know that if there is a cause, there is probably a charity to support it. I want to try and do my part throughout the year and try and help this organizations help others. I'll be giving to the big groups and looking for smaller ones that stay more local. This isn't going to be an exercise in tax write-offs or throwing money at a problem. I want to be able to say I did my part in my own way. I'm going to find a charity every week and donate $10. While this amount doesn't sound like a lot, every little bit should help. I figure I can spare $520 a year. I want to show that people don't have to wait for a disaster to donate.
I want to focus on helping the poor, environment, wildlife, and research.
Week:
I want to focus on helping the poor, environment, wildlife, and research.
Week:
- Wikimedia Foundation Inc.
- American Red Cross
- The Conservation Fund
- Cancer Research Institute
- AZ Public Media (NPR and PBS)
- Fisher House Foundation
- Physicians for Peace
- Helen Keller International
- Action Against Hunger
- Tax Foundation
- National Council on Aging
- AmeriCares
- Narsad: Brain and Behavior Research Foundation
- Big Brother and Big Sisters
- Child Find of America
- National Alliance to End Homelessness
- Carnegie Institution for Science
- Center on Budget and Policy Priorities
Sunday, January 2, 2011
The Resolution: The Challenge
I want to make a difference in 2011 and no single resolution will suffice. Rather than make one iffy, generic resolution that will either be too hard to complete or too easy to be considered worthwhile, I'm going to set multiple weekly goals over the whole year. I want to do the following once a week, every week:
- Read a new book
- Patron a new-to-me, local restaurant
- Brave a new bar
- Try a new beer
- Try a new wine
- Make a new recipe
- Send a postcard to my mom
- Donate to a charity
In the end, I will have done each 52 times over the 52 weeks in a year. Most are just interesting things that I've been trying to do for a while; like I can't even count of how many local restaurants I pass everyday as I go to the same-old places again. A few will be real challenges; for example I have started to read more frequently, but my book wish-list keeps getting longer. I really look forward to the ones that will help others; such as finding more than several charities that could benefit from a new donor. I really just want to set a good goal and finish it next year.
The general rules:
I have from 12:00 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday to complete each task for the week. These times will be based on whichever time zone I happen to be in on those days. 2011 makes it easy to follow this schedule as I will have 52 full weeks, with only January 1, as a by-day. This blog will be used as a way to keep my accountable and then document my progress. Finally, the most important rule is that I want these to be new things.
- Read a new book
- Patron a new-to-me, local restaurant
- Brave a new bar
- Try a new beer
- Try a new wine
- Make a new recipe
- Send a postcard to my mom
- Donate to a charity
In the end, I will have done each 52 times over the 52 weeks in a year. Most are just interesting things that I've been trying to do for a while; like I can't even count of how many local restaurants I pass everyday as I go to the same-old places again. A few will be real challenges; for example I have started to read more frequently, but my book wish-list keeps getting longer. I really look forward to the ones that will help others; such as finding more than several charities that could benefit from a new donor. I really just want to set a good goal and finish it next year.
The general rules:
I have from 12:00 a.m. Sunday to 11:59 p.m. Saturday to complete each task for the week. These times will be based on whichever time zone I happen to be in on those days. 2011 makes it easy to follow this schedule as I will have 52 full weeks, with only January 1, as a by-day. This blog will be used as a way to keep my accountable and then document my progress. Finally, the most important rule is that I want these to be new things.
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