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usernamenumberI've been meaning to make a post about this, but I ended up writing basically the same thing in a message I just submitted to CharityNavigator's "Contact Us" tool. If they send me a response I'll post it, but in the mean-time I'll reproduce what I wrote to them, in case anyone out there has input...
"""
In the aftermath of the KONY2012 meme and subsequent backlash, I've been thinking about something. Much emphasis is put on funding American and European charities that go into the third world to try to help there. Some are more sincere than others, but even with the best-intentioned groups, I find myself wondering "why am I not funding a local group to help them solve their own problems, and ask for the resources of international orgs if/when they need them?"
Charity Navigator is a great service, but it seems to focus on western-based charities (I see that you have an interactive world map, but it looks like this is based on where groups operate, as opposed to where they are based).
Please don't take this as a criticism of CN. I think your organization provides a very valuable service, and in fact I'm contacting you because I hope that your expertise can help me with an otherwise vexing question: what resources are available to me to find reliable charities in the developing world that are owned and operated by members of the populations they aim to help?
Any suggestions or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
"""
Update Well, that was fast. Here's what CN said...
"""
Thank you for your commitment to responsible and informed giving. We appreciate you taking the time to share your question.
It is true that at Charity Navigator we only rate charities that have nonprofit status in the US. There are different reasons for that policy including: (1) if it isn’t a 501 c 3, then you can’t get a tax deduction and (2) if it isn’t a 501 c 3, then we can’t get data to rate it.
That said, the scope of work of many of our charities is international and many of them do offer ‘boots on the ground’ types of projects. One that comes to mind is GlobalGiving: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=11648. I suspect that you might be interested in their funding opportunities.
Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns.
"""
Not exactly what I was looking for, but at least they got back to me.
Update 2
...though on a second look, global giving might be a good resource for what I'm looking for after all. Kind of like a kickstarter for local orgs worldwide. More research is warranted...
"""
In the aftermath of the KONY2012 meme and subsequent backlash, I've been thinking about something. Much emphasis is put on funding American and European charities that go into the third world to try to help there. Some are more sincere than others, but even with the best-intentioned groups, I find myself wondering "why am I not funding a local group to help them solve their own problems, and ask for the resources of international orgs if/when they need them?"
Charity Navigator is a great service, but it seems to focus on western-based charities (I see that you have an interactive world map, but it looks like this is based on where groups operate, as opposed to where they are based).
Please don't take this as a criticism of CN. I think your organization provides a very valuable service, and in fact I'm contacting you because I hope that your expertise can help me with an otherwise vexing question: what resources are available to me to find reliable charities in the developing world that are owned and operated by members of the populations they aim to help?
Any suggestions or advice you can offer would be greatly appreciated!
"""
Update Well, that was fast. Here's what CN said...
"""
Thank you for your commitment to responsible and informed giving. We appreciate you taking the time to share your question.
It is true that at Charity Navigator we only rate charities that have nonprofit status in the US. There are different reasons for that policy including: (1) if it isn’t a 501 c 3, then you can’t get a tax deduction and (2) if it isn’t a 501 c 3, then we can’t get data to rate it.
That said, the scope of work of many of our charities is international and many of them do offer ‘boots on the ground’ types of projects. One that comes to mind is GlobalGiving: http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=11648. I suspect that you might be interested in their funding opportunities.
Please let me know if you have additional questions or concerns.
"""
Not exactly what I was looking for, but at least they got back to me.
Update 2
...though on a second look, global giving might be a good resource for what I'm looking for after all. Kind of like a kickstarter for local orgs worldwide. More research is warranted...
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no subject
Date: 2012-04-20 04:08 pm (UTC)If you want to check it out, I'm able to invite friends and right now they're offering $25 to start off with. So there's no financial risk - you can see how the organization runs, and if you like it, actually invest your own money.
I like it because you get to see where the impact really is. I chose a sewing group in Pakistan that needed a new sewing machine and supplies. I like that I can see the faces of the people who will benefit from my donation. I want Rukhsana's daughters to all be able to have an education, and hopefully letting her grow her business will give her the opportunity to do so.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-20 04:13 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-22 03:31 am (UTC)As always, there are also US organizations that do local, community-based education that are always in need of funds.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-23 10:20 pm (UTC)no subject
Date: 2012-04-20 06:14 pm (UTC)And thank you for posting this- I will definitely check out the global giving link you posted.
no subject
Date: 2012-04-20 07:19 pm (UTC)