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| Courtesy spcaLA |
As we again come upon the busiest fund-raising season of the year
I, again urge you to know your charity and donate locally. We are a generous
and empathetic people who react with our hearts when seeing the ravages of a hurricane on the news, or expensive television ads of forlorn children and
injured animals. We respond with our purses when celebrities beg for donations
and plead with viewers to join them in giving. I do too - but I worry about how
often we can be disappointed and develop charity fatigue. I fear for those who
still need the help after the compassionate tire of giving.
The combination of
generosity, disaster, and fame can add up to a veritable "candy
store" for the unprincipled, greedy and the opportunistic as nonexistent
charities put up web sites to solicit funds, as the well-intended start their
own charities but run them poorly, and as existing charities spend their funds on public relations, television spots and the appearance of helping rather than
actually serving the needy. I am truly terrified that those who can give, will
stop, believing that they are not making a difference or that they have been
bamboozled. What will happen to your spcaLA and to those vulnerable populations
that desperately need a helping hand and a voice!
Rather than souring on giving, research the situation, ask questions
and make sure your gift is going to whom and where you so intend. For example, in the animal welfare
industry, aspca, the New York City spca is not an umbrella
organization which funnels funds to other spcas by zip code as is the case with
other national charities. spcas
throughout the country are individual legal entities and not chapters of any
mother organization. Yet aspca spends tens of millions of dollars annually
on television and other fundraising outlets which omit
that significant fact. Many consumers are duped and upset upon
learning that their donation did not help abused and unwanted animals in
their communities. By the way, to their credit, hsus, began putting such
language (that they are not affiliated with local humane societies) on their
new television spots to avoid creating a misimpression and thereby attracting
misinformed donors.
So please, consider donating to an existing legitimate local
organization that you can visit, talk to, and just see in action. Frequently,
your local charity may be providing international relief as well or is
affiliated with one who is.
Giving locally also helps to strengthen the community in which you
live. It is especially true where the
philanthropic entities are filling gaps left by the government and the for-profit
sector. If the reputable local nonprofits fail - there will be no relief.
Additionally, bolstering the local charities boosts the local economy, provides
jobs, resources and allows the community to thrive. Stronger communities result
in stronger cities, states and countries. Our ability to help others improves
with our own increased strength and solvency.
Charity begins at
home. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift another.
