Every year, millions of people help the disadvantaged. There are organizations that help the poor with food and housing, that seek to raise public awareness about an environmental threat, or that rescue animals. Today there are both public charities and private ones.
An organization that promotes the common good without asking for payment is known as a charity. The earliest one was the Foundling Hospital started by a compassionate aristocrat in London in 1741 to provide shelter, food, and a better future for abandoned children who were existing on the streets. Shortly afterwards another wealthy philanthropist founded the Magdalen Hospital, where girls for whom prostitution was the only means of support could be given other options.
Many had the idea of improving the lot of the poor by education or vocational training. Others supported giving small plots of land to poor families so they could augment their meager wages with garden produce. This 'teach a man to fish' philosophy is regarded as superior to merely giving handouts to the needy. Most of the efforts were freely given, although some programs were created to be like investments. Donors got monetary returns while also gaining the satisfaction of doing good deeds.
Today there are many private and public organizations that help the poor, save endangered species, provide clean water, succor the sick, or feed the homeless in the city. Whether they are classified as public or private depends on government definitions and tax codes. These requirements are different in every country; there is information online about the various regulations.
In the US, a public charity needs support from many individual donors, as well as a mission and a plan to accomplish it. It must be actively engaged in the good works it performs. Private organizations may be funded primarily by one individual or corporation. They often give grants to other organizations that actually deliver the benefits, rather than doing such works themselves.
This sort of charity has many individual donors who make one-time or regular contributions. It may also receive funds from the government or from private charitable organizations, often called 'foundations'. A non-profit in good standing with the IRS will pay no taxes on the donations, grants, or other funding it receives. There is potential for fraud and greed in the system, but by and large much good is done and many people helped.
Even with IRS attempts to make sure that this program is not used as a tax dodge, there is much room for legal siphoning off of funds, outright fraud, and mismanagement. If people want to make sure their gifts are used effectively, they can check with agencies that evaluate charitable entities and rate them. If a large amount goes to administration rather than to the field, the entity has huge bank balances, or the benefits are small, they may choose to give elsewhere.
A person with a desire to help can choose a localized cause, like 'Save The Bay' or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. There are also many international entities, like Food For The Poor or World Relief. It's good to give back to the community or the world. In fact, we would all be much worse off without these group efforts.
An organization that promotes the common good without asking for payment is known as a charity. The earliest one was the Foundling Hospital started by a compassionate aristocrat in London in 1741 to provide shelter, food, and a better future for abandoned children who were existing on the streets. Shortly afterwards another wealthy philanthropist founded the Magdalen Hospital, where girls for whom prostitution was the only means of support could be given other options.
Many had the idea of improving the lot of the poor by education or vocational training. Others supported giving small plots of land to poor families so they could augment their meager wages with garden produce. This 'teach a man to fish' philosophy is regarded as superior to merely giving handouts to the needy. Most of the efforts were freely given, although some programs were created to be like investments. Donors got monetary returns while also gaining the satisfaction of doing good deeds.
Today there are many private and public organizations that help the poor, save endangered species, provide clean water, succor the sick, or feed the homeless in the city. Whether they are classified as public or private depends on government definitions and tax codes. These requirements are different in every country; there is information online about the various regulations.
In the US, a public charity needs support from many individual donors, as well as a mission and a plan to accomplish it. It must be actively engaged in the good works it performs. Private organizations may be funded primarily by one individual or corporation. They often give grants to other organizations that actually deliver the benefits, rather than doing such works themselves.
This sort of charity has many individual donors who make one-time or regular contributions. It may also receive funds from the government or from private charitable organizations, often called 'foundations'. A non-profit in good standing with the IRS will pay no taxes on the donations, grants, or other funding it receives. There is potential for fraud and greed in the system, but by and large much good is done and many people helped.
Even with IRS attempts to make sure that this program is not used as a tax dodge, there is much room for legal siphoning off of funds, outright fraud, and mismanagement. If people want to make sure their gifts are used effectively, they can check with agencies that evaluate charitable entities and rate them. If a large amount goes to administration rather than to the field, the entity has huge bank balances, or the benefits are small, they may choose to give elsewhere.
A person with a desire to help can choose a localized cause, like 'Save The Bay' or St. Jude's Children's Hospital. There are also many international entities, like Food For The Poor or World Relief. It's good to give back to the community or the world. In fact, we would all be much worse off without these group efforts.
About the Author:
Get a summary of the things to consider before selecting public charities and more information about a great charity organization at http://tableofplentyhmb.org/board-of-directors now.
No comments:
Post a Comment