This is a topic my husband and I revisit regularly - where do think your money has the most impact?
A number of years ago, I became very aware of hidden poverty very close to home so we decided to focus most of our efforts (time & money) on local causes including schools for disabled, need within our own school district, scholarship funds at our alma mater and son’s university, as well as local animal rescue (love animals)
But sometimes I wonder if we should be supporting organizations that help the most dire cases - extreme poverty, homelessness, etc.
What do you think? Start local, nationally, or globally?
I prefer to look and think locally since I can see the impact and ensure that the money is well used. That said, there are devastating events that cry out for a response, such as the fires, flooding, hurricanes and typhoons, earthquakes, etc that have been in the news.
My favorite local charity operates homeless shelters and transitional housing programs to get people back into society. I love Habitat for Humanity, too. I like to volunteer at the massive food bank that supports food banks and pantries in a several county area. They are organized and I can book a group to work very easily. For many years, I worked on the board of an organization that dealt with job training and placement. All things that are foundational needs.
I think as long as you reach beyond yourself, any and everything you do is a blessing.
I love this question!
I have been making donations to a particular local animal shelter for well over a decade. I got my cat there many years ago, kept her until she passed, although I was allergic. As much as I would love to volunteer for that animal shelter, it’s incompatible with me breathing. So I do what I can for them in terms of monetary donations.
We donate to the food pantry every month and the local school supply collection every August too.
My time goes towards helping DD’s school, mainly through the Boosters now that she is in HS.
I guess that puts me in the “local” category.