Charity -Do you give on a regular basis?

[August1991]

I used to give to the Wikipedia Foundation. I have stopped.

Now, I give to OpenStreetMap Foundation and Organic Maps.

[Michael Hardner]

Just now, August1991 said:

I used to give to the Wikipedia Foundation. I have stopped.

Now, I give to OpenStreetMap Foundation and Organic Maps.

The Globe and Mail.

[Guest]

I don't believe in charity. I would prefer giving opportunity.

With that said, I don't see it as charity but always give my old clothing in immaculate condition to clothing drives such as the Salvation Army.

As a family, we have always baked goods for homeless shelters for Christmas.

But I don't believe in giving money, so I avoid it.

I much rather buy a homeless person a bottle of water, on a crazy hot day, and have often done so.

 

[August1991]

2 hours ago, Perspektiv said:

I don't believe in charity. ....

=====

But I don't believe in giving money, so I avoid it.

 

Good point.

My OP is phrased weirdly.  Is it "charity" to tip? Pay for a service rendered?

====

BTW,

Perspectiv: I too agree that free is best so I avoid giving money. But sometimes I do.

[Guest]

On 8/1/2024 at 11:40 AM, August1991 said:

Is it "charity" to tip?

One must earn a tip. Or at least, in my opinion.

Charity isn't earned. You don't deserve for me to give you money based on being homeless.

This isn't something you should feel entitlement to.

There as a result, should be a level of humility in them asking for it, or they risk putting off the crowd.

On 8/1/2024 at 11:40 AM, August1991 said:

I avoid giving money

Unless I live with you, I don't think you're entitled to any of my money.

My wife by default, is entitled to most of my assets if I kicked the can, and would take care of her daughter, too even if she isn't my biological child.

[herbie]

I give to our Humane Society regularly, sat on the Board and was Director of many non-profits and fix computers and give lessons to seniors for like $20 instead of $125 far too often for my own good.
Like by the time I pull out their driveway, they forgot everything I showed them for the last 2 for 3 hours.
CLICK saved the password for their online banking again....

[August1991]

22 hours ago, Perspektiv said:

One must earn a tip. Or at least, in my opinion.

...

For food, if I'm standing when I receive it - I don't tip. Zip, nada.

If I'm sitting when I receive the food, about 15% of the total bill. I prefer to leave cash near/under a plate.

[herbie]

No shit. When you see that 14% 20% 30% on the machine at Subway I look 'em right in the eye and press NO TIP.
Sometimes I'll tell 'em you know your Boss is gonna steal it anyway, don't you? Never had one claim they don't.

At a proper restaurant I leave tips in cash. Smaller tips if it's for a takeout.

[TreeBeard]

On 8/1/2024 at 6:23 AM, Perspektiv said:

I don't see it as charity

But it is charity.  You can change the definition of the word to pretend you’re some sort of counter-culture right-wing libertarian superhero, but you give to charity.  
 

Thanks for doing so. 

[Guest]

11 hours ago, TreeBeard said:

But it is charity.

As I mentioned, I avoid giving money.

Unless am offering you a job. The lone sticking point I have with charity. Money. I don't give cash to the homeless for similar reasons.

I prefer giving items that are no longer of use to me, vs throwing them out. I do see that this is in fact charity, and have no issue with it.

Handing the homeless cold water bottles just purchased in sweltering heat. No issue with this. Food to food banks? Perfect. I encourage it, even.

Out of respect for the potential recipients of them, I make sure they are of immaculate condition (clothing), washed and folded.

I often see people donating clothing to the salvation army in garbage bags. Not sure why that always annoyed me. Its like since you feel sorry for these people, they should be happy they're at least getting something. That attitude always bothered me.

I just don't do charity in terms of giving money, if I were to be specific.

I have worked for several charities that are well known, and the amount of money that legally must go directly to the cause, is sickening for many. Its not remotely close to 100% or even 80%.

"Administrative fees" when you truly know where they go to, may stop you dead in your tracks in doing a little more research prior to opening the pocket book.

Only point being made. You feeling I see myself as a hero, is coming from you.

I give in any way I can, because I know what it feels like to have nothing. Having your stomach in knots.

Facing eviction. 

Hopelessness.

It resonates with me, because I come from the gutter. I know what struggle feels like, so I see people struggling and it keeps me humble about how far I have come.

[impartialobserver]

I do give but not with regularity. The form of charity that I am 100% opposed to is helping a panhandler. The person who asks for spare change as I walk into the gas station... I largely ignore them. Why so harsh? Because I was once homeless and not because I was a drug addict or lazy. I know the struggle and know that most of those begging for change are either mentally ill, lazy, or drug addicts. No amount of money given will change their ways. 

[Hodad]

Yes. I pick three charities each year and set up automatic donations monthly. Psychologically this is easy because it's painless. Reasonable amounts monthly add up to significant giving over the course of a year and I don't defer or forget. Because it's automatic and incremental I never have to make a decision to forego some other spending. (When December rolls around I don't have to say, "Well, I forgot to be charitable this year, should I write a big donation check or go on a trip?")

I choose the charities based on:

1. Passion - a cause that is meaningful to my family

2. Is is a quality organization? I check with Charity Navigator to see the financials, controversies etc. You can see how much goes into overhead vs service, etc.

 

I also do ad-hoc donations when opportunities pop up throughout the year, but that's reactive rather than a "giving plan."

Edited September 30, 2024 by Hodad

[Mathieub]

I do benevolent all the time.

[Radiorum]

There are four organizations that are very worthy, doing wonderful work, that I give to regularly:

The War Amps

Doctors Without Borders (Medicins Sans Frontiers)

The Salvation Army

And our local Hospice

[impartialobserver]

the only charity that I donate to and not regularly is a local one that helps kids that have aged out of the foster system. 

[Scott75]

On 7/31/2024 at 8:55 AM, August1991 said:

I used to give to the Wikipedia Foundation. I have stopped.

Now, I give to OpenStreetMap Foundation and Organic Maps.

I don't give to any organization online, but I do give to beggars on the streets.

[RB]

OpenStreetMap and Organic Maps are interesting initiatives.

Charity and giving are deeply personal decisions that can have far-reaching positive effects on the lives of others. It's heartening to see contributors mention empathy, whether driven by moral reasons or personal experiences, and finding fulfillment in giving. Every bit of generosity counts, even the smallest gestures - tips

To answer the opening question on giving: Yes. 

Edited November 23, 2024 by RB
not necessary.

[CaringCdn]

I give to organizations that help the poor & unhoused rather than to individuals. I do my due diligence before giving to ensure most of what I give goes to those they are supposed to be helping & not to administrative fees.

I do tip at restaurants, the % depending on the service I receive & I do not tip for take outs.

[Aristides]

Yes.

[herbie]

I gave a quarter to Lesbian Mothers Against The Budget in 1983.
 

[RB]

To follow up on the charity giving - it depends on where people are on their spectrum of life.  If their basic needs are not met, and persons are hustling it is hard to give resources or even time for the good deed.  Lots of folks worried about life, and everyday survival and these folks are many that might not lend to a voice to promote causes (even it does not require money) that can help in change.

Edited December 5, 2024 by RB

[gatomontes99]

Curch

ALS Foundation

Susan G Komen

Haven House

[August1991]

On 12/4/2024 at 11:31 PM, RB said:

To follow up on the charity giving - it depends on where people are on their spectrum of life.  If their basic needs are not met, and persons are hustling it is hard to give resources or even time for the good deed.  Lots of folks worried about life, and everyday survival and these folks are many that might not lend to a voice to promote causes (even it does not require money) that can help in change.

Many years ago, I lived in a poor country.

I quickly learned that people donate differently.

Waiting for a bus once, an older rich woman gave to a male beggar. I gave money to an obviously pregnant woman.

The rich woman said to me, "She'll just get pregnant again."

[Michael Hardner]

5 hours ago, August1991 said:

Many years ago, I lived in a poor country.

I quickly learned that people donate differently.

Waiting for a bus once, an older rich woman gave to a male beggar. I gave money to an obviously pregnant woman.

The rich woman said to me, "She'll just get pregnant again."

Why was a rich woman taking the bus in a poor country?

[August1991]

On 2/23/2025 at 7:47 AM, Michael Hardner said:

Why was a rich woman taking the bus in a poor country?

Define "rich woman". and define "poor country".

It was Sri Lanka in the 1980s. Her English was far better than mine.

Edited February 26 by August1991