I'm sure there are more (I've donated a poster and money to Wishlist Foundation) and I have no idea what percent of our annual income these add up to.... I don't keep track of that. Never really wrote down everything we do as we don't write anything off.
I hope I'm not derailing the thread here, but I don't understand this. I'm not saying that tax deductions should be the reason we donate (although if they are, that's ok with me ... as long as the charities get the money, I don't care what your motivation is). But as long as you're giving and these deductions are available to you, why not take them? I get the distinct impression from reading your posts that you are not pleased with the way your tax dollars are being used .... why would you want to give them more than you absolutely have to?
When we made our budget for charitable donations, we took the tax deductions into account, and it increased the amount we are able to give away. I'd sure rather have my $$$ going to a hunger center or animal sanctuary than to fund this war!
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
I knitted a blanket for Project Linus http://www.projectlinus.org/index.shtml, and I hope to knit hats for them after I attend a knitting conference in October.
If I accomplish a running goal I will give money to the Red Cross.
Another knitter!
I've knit blankets for Afghans for Afghans. The collect blankets, sweaters, hats, socks, etc. and distribute them to people in Afghanistan, and Afghans in refugee camps who fled the war.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
I've knit blankets for Afghans for Afghans. The collect blankets, sweaters, hats, socks, etc. and distribute them to people in Afghanistan, and Afghans in refugee camps who fled the war.
There's a socks for soldiers program that I've seen on the same page as the Afghan for Afghan program somewhere. At the conference in October I'm taking a sock class, and hopefully, I'll send over some socks.
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
I hope I'm not derailing the thread here, but I don't understand this. I'm not saying that tax deductions should be the reason we donate (although if they are, that's ok with me ... as long as the charities get the money, I don't care what your motivation is). But as long as you're giving and these deductions are available to you, why not take them? I get the distinct impression from reading your posts that you are not pleased with the way your tax dollars are being used .... why would you want to give them more than you absolutely have to?
When we made our budget for charitable donations, we took the tax deductions into account, and it increased the amount we are able to give away. I'd sure rather have my $$$ going to a hunger center or animal sanctuary than to fund this war!
My biggest issue with my taxes right now is the fact that none of my property taxes go to the local public library so I can't get a free library card. I know I've mentioned welfare reform but I don't know what gave you the impression that I wasn't pleased.
Some of the things I listed aren't deductible (like raffle tickets) and some of them aren't worth the trouble of figuring out how much is deductible. This is going to seem crazy but one in particular, WDSRA... I feel like we would be taking advantage of the system if we wrote it off. We feel like we should be paying them for services we get for free.
If I enroll my son in a park district program and if we think he needs an aide to participate, they provide one for free. It could be an all day, 5 days a week summer camp and they will send someone every single day just to help him.
He also gets lots of free services through the school district (speech therapy, etc)... my neighbors help pay for all of it so I really can't complain too much about where my tax dollars go, we get so much in return. It sucks that they help fund a war but if there wasn't a war happening, they would still go to the military.
I just remembered my ticket to the PJ/Robert Plant fundraiser show at the HOB. I wonder if people wrote that off and if they did, what amount they came up with in the end. (I don't think the full amount was deductible.)
My biggest issue with my taxes right now is the fact that none of my property taxes go to the local public library so I can't get a free library card. I know I've mentioned welfare reform but I don't know what gave you the impression that I wasn't pleased.
Some of the things I listed aren't deductible (like raffle tickets) and some of them aren't worth the trouble of figuring out how much is deductible. This is going to seem crazy but one in particular, WDSRA... I feel like we would be taking advantage of the system if we wrote it off. We feel like we should be paying them for services we get for free.
If I enroll my son in a park district program and if we think he needs an aide to participate, they provide one for free. It could be an all day, 5 days a week summer camp and they will send someone every single day just to help him.
He also gets lots of free services through the school district (speech therapy, etc)... my neighbors help pay for all of it so I really can't complain too much about where my tax dollars go, we get so much in return. It sucks that they help fund a war but if there wasn't a war happening, they would still go to the military.
I just remembered my ticket to the PJ/Robert Plant fundraiser show at the HOB. I wonder if people wrote that off and if they did, what amount they came up with in the end. (I don't think the full amount was deductible.)
Typically, when you get something in return for your money (for example, a PJ/Robert Plant show, or maybe you buy a poster from the Sierra Club), or you have a chance at getting something in return (raffle tickets), it's not deductible. So yeah, if you make a lot of your donations that way, you can't do it. As for donating goods, I don't even bother with that because it's a nuisance to get a receipt from a lot of places and the resale value of stuff is so low that it's hardly worth the time anyway.
Anytime you give money though, I can't see any reason not to deduct that. It will be a tiny bit more in your pocket and you can give that away too! Or take yourselves out to dinner, or whatever. It's so easy to keep receipts for cash donations, I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't do it. Even if it's an organization that you get services from, it's not like you're getting the money from them ... it's just a tiny bit less tax you'll pay, you can turn around and give it to them if you like.
As for you not being pleased ... my brain is mush lately, so if you're not generally grumpy about the government's use of your money then I've probably confused you with someone else ... my apologies
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
Typically, when you get something in return for your money (for example, a PJ/Robert Plant show, or maybe you buy a poster from the Sierra Club), or you have a chance at getting something in return (raffle tickets), it's not deductible. So yeah, if you make a lot of your donations that way, you can't do it. As for donating goods, I don't even bother with that because it's a nuisance to get a receipt from a lot of places and the resale value of stuff is so low that it's hardly worth the time anyway.
Anytime you give money though, I can't see any reason not to deduct that. It will be a tiny bit more in your pocket and you can give that away too! Or take yourselves out to dinner, or whatever. It's so easy to keep receipts for cash donations, I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't do it. Even if it's an organization that you get services from, it's not like you're getting the money from them ... it's just a tiny bit less tax you'll pay, you can turn around and give it to them if you like.
As for you not being pleased ... my brain is mush lately, so if you're not generally grumpy about the government's use of your money then I've probably confused you with someone else ... my apologies
You make a damn good point, though. Why let any more money go to fund things I'm so against than I already have to. I really should get my act together about book keeping. I just hate that kinda stuff.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I donate to the Tim Horton's Children's Fund every day.
I donate to Jump Rope for Life when they come around.
Pretty much everything that comes to my door. I don't really keep track of it. As long as it's a good cause and they can explain to me what steps they are taking to improve the situation.
For exmaple, the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) called me (apparently) and asked for a donation to help fight Internet Child Pornography. I asked them how they planned to do that and they couldn't say. So I didn't donate to it.
I necessarily have the passion for writing this, and you have the passion for condemning me; both of us are equally fools, equally the toys of destiny. Your nature is to do harm, mine is to love truth, and to make it public in spite of you. - Voltaire
You make a damn good point, though. Why let any more money go to fund things I'm so against than I already have to. I really should get my act together about book keeping. I just hate that kinda stuff.
Oh, I'm horrible at it! Fortunately, my husband is very good at it and handles a lot of our donations himself, and he also does the taxes
When I donate online, I print a receipt and immediately get up and put it on his dresser. If I don't do it right away, forget it, it'll never happen. I also have a section in my wallet where I put receipts when I make spontaneous donations away from home, and I'll remember to check that a couple times a year, lol ... "Oh, here's a somewhat crumpled receipt for the money I gave to Make-A-Wish back in February," and he rolls his eyes
Just find one or two places where you can easily keep your receipts, then force yourself to put them there the instant you make the donation. If I can do it I figure anyone can, because I am the queen of disorganization!
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
Oh, I'm horrible at it! Fortunately, my husband is very good at it and handles a lot of our donations himself, and he also does the taxes
When I donate online, I print a receipt and immediately get up and put it on his dresser. If I don't do it right away, forget it, it'll never happen. I also have a section in my wallet where I put receipts when I make spontaneous donations away from home, and I'll remember to check that a couple times a year, lol ... "Oh, here's a somewhat crumpled receipt for the money I gave to Make-A-Wish back in February," and he rolls his eyes
Just find one or two places where you can easily keep your receipts, then force yourself to put them there the instant you make the donation. If I can do it I figure anyone can, because I am the queen of disorganization!
We have a lot in common! I bought one of those accordion file thingys a while back...it's still sitting in a closet, unused. I'll try to make better use of it.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
We have a lot in common! I bought one of those accordion file thingys a while back...it's still sitting in a closet, unused. I'll try to make better use of it.
Haha! If there's anything I've learned in this life, it's that no filing system will organize you unless you use it. I don't know how many filing systems I wasted my money on before I figured that out
I take it Kabong isn't organized either, or you'd have turned all this stuff over to him long ago. I guess you're stuck with the "big shoe box full of crap that takes two weeks to sort out at the end of the year" method ... that's the one I used when I was single.
"Nothing in the world is more dangerous than sincere ignorance and conscientious stupidity." ~ MLK, 1963
Haha! If there's anything I've learned in this life, it's that no filing system will organize you unless you use it. I don't know how many filing systems I wasted my money on before I figured that out
I take it Kabong isn't organized either, or you'd have turned all this stuff over to him long ago. I guess you're stuck with the "big shoe box full of crap that takes two weeks to sort out at the end of the year" method ... that's the one I used when I was single.
He's more organized than me but still...not so much with the boring stuff. Now with the cds, dvds, and bookshelf....he has it all in perfect alphabetical order. I don't even bother with that. It's so cute to watch him go behind me rearrange after I put stuff back on the shelf.
If you want to tell people the truth, make them laugh, otherwise they'll kill you.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I give monthly allotments to the World Wildlife Fund and KPFT, the local Pacifica station. I also give when I can, in both money, food, and just time spent with the families at the Ronald McDonald house. It's a very good cause and they were very good to me and my family during some very dark days last year.
Typically, when you get something in return for your money (for example, a PJ/Robert Plant show, or maybe you buy a poster from the Sierra Club), or you have a chance at getting something in return (raffle tickets), it's not deductible. So yeah, if you make a lot of your donations that way, you can't do it. As for donating goods, I don't even bother with that because it's a nuisance to get a receipt from a lot of places and the resale value of stuff is so low that it's hardly worth the time anyway.
Anytime you give money though, I can't see any reason not to deduct that. It will be a tiny bit more in your pocket and you can give that away too! Or take yourselves out to dinner, or whatever. It's so easy to keep receipts for cash donations, I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't do it. Even if it's an organization that you get services from, it's not like you're getting the money from them ... it's just a tiny bit less tax you'll pay, you can turn around and give it to them if you like.
As for you not being pleased ... my brain is mush lately, so if you're not generally grumpy about the government's use of your money then I've probably confused you with someone else ... my apologies
I'll consider keeping better track of things... it would help if I was more organized.
Defenders of Wildlife (been giving to them since before i could drive)
Amnesty International
Doctors w/o Borders
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
some ones for the chesapeake river (was years ago when i lived in northern va)
natural resources defense council
beyond pesticides
humane society (and donate blankets and such)
give stuff to the goodwill
the WILD foundation
mcspotlight.org
musicians on the streets of asheville, athens or whereever
and the stuff abook already posted...
standin above the crowd
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
Around 25-30 years ago, or so, i came upon a member of an upstart organization called "hunger project 2000". I donated to the cause of ending world hunger by the year 2000. It made a lot of sense to me at the time, and it still does.
What happened?
I googled it tonight, and they are now an organization called "Hunger Project".
I tried to find information about Food not Bombs on the internet, and there doesn't seem to be an organized entity in my DC neck of the woods. In my town there's the publishing company. Does anyone know about Food not Bombs? There seems to be people just show up and give out food. Is that it? Maybe there isn't an office or something like that. Maybe I would just show up with food, and voila! I first heard of it when I was volunteering at a homeless youth shelter, and one of the paid staff at the shelter also volunteered at Food not Bombs.
I was reading about Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Vegan with a Vengeance book, and she mentioned she used to cook a lot for Food not Bombs. I think if I'm in a position to cut a lot of onions that I would decrease my fear of knives, you know. I just cook for one, but I bake for many. I need to cook more. Address two concerns at once; hunger for others, and fear for me.
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
Isn't it best to keep your donations to yourself?? Best to be humble and not brag about to whom you give and how much!
What's cool about this thread is that people are finding like minded people i.e., people who knit, and give things away; people who joined surfrider. More resulted in this thread then just the listing, it's been a link between people.
A lot of times what eventually results from discussions like this is giving/donating. For instance, person x may say, I heard about this cause/group from person y, and it sounded like a good idea. I looked into it, and I'm going to join/donate also . . . That's pretty cool, you know.
Also, nothing wrong with a person feeling good about what he/she does for the community. The good feeling inspires more good actions.
There is no such thing as leftover pizza. There is now pizza and later pizza. - anonymous The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
I tried to find information about Food not Bombs on the internet, and there doesn't seem to be an organized entity in my DC neck of the woods. In my town there's the publishing company. Does anyone know about Food not Bombs? There seems to be people just show up and give out food. Is that it? Maybe there isn't an office or something like that. Maybe I would just show up with food, and voila! I first heard of it when I was volunteering at a homeless youth shelter, and one of the paid staff at the shelter also volunteered at Food not Bombs.
I was reading about Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Vegan with a Vengeance book, and she mentioned she used to cook a lot for Food not Bombs. I think if I'm in a position to cut a lot of onions that I would decrease my fear of knives, you know. I just cook for one, but I bake for many. I need to cook more. Address two concerns at once; hunger for others, and fear for me.
... http://www.foodnotbombs.net/firstindex.html
I heard about Food Not Bombs a couple of years ago from Tom Morello. I met him through my friend, Jill Sobule and he does these little fundraiser gigs in L.A. that supports Food Not Bombs and Axis Of Justice. You just missed him... he played at Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA. on June 23rd.
The local L.A. groups helps collect, store and distribute food to charity pantries in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area. They are always in need of voluenteer services.
Allen Fieldhouse, home of the 2008 NCAA men's Basketball Champions! Go Jayhawks!
Hail, Hail!!!
Isn't it best to keep your donations to yourself?? Best to be humble and not brag about to whom you give and how much!
I think if someone posted and said "I just donated $1 million dollars to XYZ foundation" that is bragging. But just saying that you donate is showing humanity not bragging.
Donating time and goods is equally as important to many charities as financial donations. I know people that could use some charity themselves that are so giving to others.
Its sad but true that I became more civic minded and charitable after the birth of my twins. Once one of them was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis and I found out how little was known about the disease that affects more people than Cystic Fibrosis and Lou Gehrigs Disease, I was compelled to donate and raise money to increase awareness.
We were recently granted a wish from the Make a Wish Foundation but they were a favorite charity before that.
www.caringbridge.org/visit/cassidyconway
Chicago-Regal Theatre 3/10/94
Milwaukee Summerfest-7/08/95
Chicago-Soldier Field-7/11/95
East Troy-Alpine Valley 6/26/98 & 10/08/00
Chicago-United Center 5/17/06
Isn't it best to keep your donations to yourself?? Best to be humble and not brag about to whom you give and how much!
Someone asked us a question about what we think are good causes to donate to, he said he was looking for ideas. Besides I didn't see too many people bragging, just mentioning the causes they give to.
Comments
When we made our budget for charitable donations, we took the tax deductions into account, and it increased the amount we are able to give away. I'd sure rather have my $$$ going to a hunger center or animal sanctuary than to fund this war!
I've knit blankets for Afghans for Afghans. The collect blankets, sweaters, hats, socks, etc. and distribute them to people in Afghanistan, and Afghans in refugee camps who fled the war.
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
My biggest issue with my taxes right now is the fact that none of my property taxes go to the local public library so I can't get a free library card. I know I've mentioned welfare reform but I don't know what gave you the impression that I wasn't pleased.
Some of the things I listed aren't deductible (like raffle tickets) and some of them aren't worth the trouble of figuring out how much is deductible. This is going to seem crazy but one in particular, WDSRA... I feel like we would be taking advantage of the system if we wrote it off. We feel like we should be paying them for services we get for free.
If I enroll my son in a park district program and if we think he needs an aide to participate, they provide one for free. It could be an all day, 5 days a week summer camp and they will send someone every single day just to help him.
He also gets lots of free services through the school district (speech therapy, etc)... my neighbors help pay for all of it so I really can't complain too much about where my tax dollars go, we get so much in return. It sucks that they help fund a war but if there wasn't a war happening, they would still go to the military.
Anytime you give money though, I can't see any reason not to deduct that. It will be a tiny bit more in your pocket and you can give that away too! Or take yourselves out to dinner, or whatever. It's so easy to keep receipts for cash donations, I just don't understand why anyone wouldn't do it. Even if it's an organization that you get services from, it's not like you're getting the money from them ... it's just a tiny bit less tax you'll pay, you can turn around and give it to them if you like.
As for you not being pleased ... my brain is mush lately, so if you're not generally grumpy about the government's use of your money then I've probably confused you with someone else ... my apologies
You make a damn good point, though. Why let any more money go to fund things I'm so against than I already have to. I really should get my act together about book keeping. I just hate that kinda stuff.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I donate to Jump Rope for Life when they come around.
Pretty much everything that comes to my door. I don't really keep track of it. As long as it's a good cause and they can explain to me what steps they are taking to improve the situation.
For exmaple, the OPP (Ontario Provincial Police) called me (apparently) and asked for a donation to help fight Internet Child Pornography. I asked them how they planned to do that and they couldn't say. So I didn't donate to it.
When I donate online, I print a receipt and immediately get up and put it on his dresser. If I don't do it right away, forget it, it'll never happen. I also have a section in my wallet where I put receipts when I make spontaneous donations away from home, and I'll remember to check that a couple times a year, lol ... "Oh, here's a somewhat crumpled receipt for the money I gave to Make-A-Wish back in February," and he rolls his eyes
Just find one or two places where you can easily keep your receipts, then force yourself to put them there the instant you make the donation. If I can do it I figure anyone can, because I am the queen of disorganization!
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
I take it Kabong isn't organized either, or you'd have turned all this stuff over to him long ago. I guess you're stuck with the "big shoe box full of crap that takes two weeks to sort out at the end of the year" method ... that's the one I used when I was single.
He's more organized than me but still...not so much with the boring stuff. Now with the cds, dvds, and bookshelf....he has it all in perfect alphabetical order. I don't even bother with that. It's so cute to watch him go behind me rearrange after I put stuff back on the shelf.
Man is least himself when he talks in his own person. Give him a mask, and he will tell you the truth.
-Oscar Wilde
all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
I'll consider keeping better track of things... it would help if I was more organized.
Defenders of Wildlife (been giving to them since before i could drive)
Amnesty International
Doctors w/o Borders
Intrepid Fallen Heroes Fund
some ones for the chesapeake river (was years ago when i lived in northern va)
natural resources defense council
beyond pesticides
humane society (and donate blankets and such)
give stuff to the goodwill
the WILD foundation
mcspotlight.org
musicians on the streets of asheville, athens or whereever
and the stuff abook already posted...
he had a voice that was strong and loud and
i swallowed his facade cos i'm so
eager to identify with
someone above the crowd
someone who seemed to feel the same
someone prepared to lead the way
What happened?
I googled it tonight, and they are now an organization called "Hunger Project".
all posts by ©gue_barium are protected under US copyright law and are not to be reproduced, exchanged or sold
except by express written permission of ©gue_barium, the author.
I was reading about Isa Chandra Moskowitz's Vegan with a Vengeance book, and she mentioned she used to cook a lot for Food not Bombs. I think if I'm in a position to cut a lot of onions that I would decrease my fear of knives, you know. I just cook for one, but I bake for many. I need to cook more. Address two concerns at once; hunger for others, and fear for me.
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
It's appropriate in a thread specifically asking the question "to whom do you donate?".
-- how is it any different from listing all of the PJ shows you've been to in your sig? Couldn't that be considered bragging too?
edit--PJ brags, too... they have an entire page on their website to showcase their good deeds!
http://pearljam.com/activism/nonprofit.php
Medics Without Vacation
I almost always give to local stuff.
And I give blood.
I stopped donating to Medics w/o Vacation because I can't afford it but once I get a job, I think I'll donate to a few more causes.
Nice thread by the way.
naděje umírá poslední
"The leads are weak? Fuckin' leads are weak? You're Weak! I've Been in this business 15 years"
"What's your name?"
"FUCK YOU! THAT"S MY NAME!"
8/08 - Ed solo in DC, 6/09 Ed in B'more,
10/10 - Brad in B'more
A lot of times what eventually results from discussions like this is giving/donating. For instance, person x may say, I heard about this cause/group from person y, and it sounded like a good idea. I looked into it, and I'm going to join/donate also . . . That's pretty cool, you know.
Also, nothing wrong with a person feeling good about what he/she does for the community. The good feeling inspires more good actions.
The risk I took was calculated, but man, am I bad at math - The Mincing Mockingbird
http://www.foodnotbombs.net/firstindex.html
I heard about Food Not Bombs a couple of years ago from Tom Morello. I met him through my friend, Jill Sobule and he does these little fundraiser gigs in L.A. that supports Food Not Bombs and Axis Of Justice. You just missed him... he played at Jammin' Java in Vienna, VA. on June 23rd.
The local L.A. groups helps collect, store and distribute food to charity pantries in the Los Angeles/Long Beach area. They are always in need of voluenteer services.
Hail, Hail!!!
I think if someone posted and said "I just donated $1 million dollars to XYZ foundation" that is bragging. But just saying that you donate is showing humanity not bragging.
Donating time and goods is equally as important to many charities as financial donations. I know people that could use some charity themselves that are so giving to others.
But to answer the question. I donate to the Tuberous Sclerosis Alliance http://www.tsalliance.org , Make a Wish http://www.wish.org and the Ronald McDonald House Charities.
Its sad but true that I became more civic minded and charitable after the birth of my twins. Once one of them was diagnosed with Tuberous Sclerosis and I found out how little was known about the disease that affects more people than Cystic Fibrosis and Lou Gehrigs Disease, I was compelled to donate and raise money to increase awareness.
We were recently granted a wish from the Make a Wish Foundation but they were a favorite charity before that.
Chicago-Regal Theatre 3/10/94
Milwaukee Summerfest-7/08/95
Chicago-Soldier Field-7/11/95
East Troy-Alpine Valley 6/26/98 & 10/08/00
Chicago-United Center 5/17/06
dreamer in my dream
we got the guns
i love you,but im..............callin out.........callin out
http://forums.pearljam.com/showthread.php?t=272825
Going to pearl jam shows, and who/how much I donate is apples/oranges. I know you know that, but guess you were stretching a bit.
Someone asked us a question about what we think are good causes to donate to, he said he was looking for ideas. Besides I didn't see too many people bragging, just mentioning the causes they give to.
naděje umírá poslední