Requesting input: Charities
I believe in financial responsibility in several ways, one of which is giving funds to endeavors that benefit others. One area I evaluate my giving as being poorer than I want it to be is international giving. Someone mentioned World Vision as an international agency and, after checking it on Charity Navigator (Philanthropy.com’s article about CN’s evaluation methods), I can understand the concern some folks have about the salary of World Vision’s president. There are valid evaluations and arguments for either viewpoint (he should/should not earn that salary working for a non-profit/NGO) but regardless of those comments I’m still considering whether to utilize that agency as a method to give internationally.
For these funds I’m not applying a criterion of faith/world view of the agency or its directorship. Any agency that directly brings the life of an individual, family or community up to a basic level of health, education and opportunity is an option but I do want to understand their expense structure and World Vision’s 86% passthrough to the individual/community is a high mark. I’m also looking into Oxfam International but I don’t have their expense and efficiency yet.
Criteria:
- Agency must act internationally
- A high percentage of funds should reach the individual/family/community
- I prefer a low expense for leadership and staff (not just a low percentage but officers making less than a quarter of a million dollars USD is preferential)
- Review of individual(s)/family/community affected and what’s being done with photos or video of the people and the changes
If you have ideas, agencies for me to check out or metrics by which I can evaluate an agency, please e-mail me with that information.
