Charity advice.

RESURECTIONJK

RESURECTIONJK

Hooked
For some time now I've been kicking around the idea of organizing some kind of event or trail run to benefit a charity. But to be honest I have no idea where to even begin.
In a not so distant past I participated in a lot of golf tournaments that benefited and raised a lot of money for various charities but I never took it upon myself to put one together.

Anyone out there have any advice or tips of just general opinions?

I'm not sure which charity of foundation I'd pick and I'm not even sure it's a task I want or can undertake. I'd rather have as much information as possible before I make an ass out of myself.

As a side note: I will not be asking for donations here on this forum nor will I disrespect the members and it's founders by using it as a vehicle or source to generate interest unless it's proposed by Eddie or Cindy directly.

My intention in posting this is to simply gather some info on what I should be doing/not doing or if it's even something I want to deal with.

Thanks all.


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1. Pour yourself a big glass of cold water. Research the charity you pick. Get a copy of their tax return and see where the money goes.
2. Use the glass of water to wash your mouth out after vomiting because step 1 made your stomach turn.
3. Find a local charity that wants your TIME, not your money. Give them some of your time doing whatever simple task they need done because they're completely swamped and can't get to it. If you've got a skill they can use then all the better. It's a win/win.
4. Get back to your busy life knowing that you've helped someone in need without needing to make a big production of it.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as often as you like.
 
I've been involved with several organizations over the years, at one point on 4 non-profit boards at the same time. First of all, Modit's right. Find a local charity that does something you are interested in. Elderly health, animals, parks, mental health, education, whatever. In general, the more specific the better. Once you select a need you want to target, find the orgs in your area that address that need.

As weird as it sounds, your local United Way can be a good resource to find out what the specific needs are in your community and what organizations address those needs. Before everyone goes aggro on the United Way, I'm not suggesting you pick them as a charity, but use them as a resource. If they are a well-run chapter they will highlight and track specific and local community needs.

Once you select a need and a few orgs you want to target, go to guidestar.com to research their 990's.

Now for the meat of your idea: it is a great thought, but frankly it will be an awful lot of work and unless you are well-connected in your community and good at asking people for money, you will probably raise at best a few thousand dollars; more likely a few hundred. And, a big chunk of that money will be from you.

I suggest you hold onto your thought. Get involved as Modit suggests. After a year or two, talk to the organization about your idea and see if you can jointly come up with a plan that works.

In the mean time, when you go on trail runs talk to your buddies about the organization and how you are getting involved. There are of course acceptable ways to do that and many more annoying ways to do it. Be subtle and cool about it and gauge their response. If and when you finally decide to do an event, you will need their help.

Dave

BTW, if you buy stuff on amazon, you can go through smile.amazon.com and pick any charity. A small portion of your order will be donated to that charity by amazon.
 
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dchew said:
I've been involved with several organizations over the years, at one point on 4 non-profit boards at the same time. First of all, Modit's right. Find a local charity that does something you are interested in. Elderly health, animals, parks, mental health, education, whatever. In general, the more specific the better. Once you select a need you want to target, find the orgs in your area that address that need.

As weird as it sounds, your local United Way can be a good resource to find out what the specific needs are in your community and what organizations address those needs. Before everyone goes aggro on the United Way, I'm not suggesting you pick them as a charity, but use them as a resource. If they are a well-run chapter they will highlight and track specific and local community needs.

Once you select a need and a few orgs you want to target, go to guidestar.com to research their 990's.

Now for the meat of your idea: it is a great thought, but frankly it will be an awful lot of work and unless you are well-connected in your community and good at asking people for money, you will probably raise at best a few thousand dollars; more likely a few hundred. And, a big chunk of that money will be from you.

I suggest you hold onto your thought. Get involved as Modit suggests. After a year or two, talk to the organization about your idea and see if you can jointly come up with a plan that works.

In the mean time, when you go on trail runs talk to your buddies about the organization and how you are getting involved. There are of course acceptable ways to do that and many more annoying ways to do it. Be subtle and cool about it and gauge their response. If and when you finally decide to do an event, you will need their help.

Dave

BTW, if you buy stuff on amazon, you can go through smile.amazon.com and pick any charity. A small portion of your order will be donated to that charity by amazon.
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This is exactly what I was looking for. Thanks for the awesome feedback. Supper appreciated.


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I was actually thought about something like this. Not for charity, but just to plan or set up rides in vehicles on light to hard trails for individuals with disabilities. I have two friends that are disabled. One uses her wheelchair completely with a controller to move it and the other uses a wheelchair, cane and scooter. My one friend that is more mobile is thinking on getting a side by side to go on trips so he can see and do more with his wife. We do not realize what we have until you see people like this. They cannot just go out and go hiking or go to places some of us can due to their injuries. It would be cool to set up something to take them along on rides to show them a different kind of beauty in the world where most cannot get too.
 
catahoula said:
I was actually thought about something like this. Not for charity, but just to plan or set up rides in vehicles on light to hard trails for individuals with disabilities. I have two friends that are disabled. One uses her wheelchair completely with a controller to move it and the other uses a wheelchair, cane and scooter. My one friend that is more mobile is thinking on getting a side by side to go on trips so he can see and do more with his wife. We do not realize what we have until you see people like this. They cannot just go out and go hiking or go to places some of us can due to their injuries. It would be cool to set up something to take them along on rides to show them a different kind of beauty in the world where most cannot get too.
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I usually have room in my Jeep. They're welcome to ride with me on any of our trail runs.

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Modit said:
1. Pour yourself a big glass of cold water. Research the charity you pick. Get a copy of their tax return and see where the money goes.
2. Use the glass of water to wash your mouth out after vomiting because step 1 made your stomach turn.
3. Find a local charity that wants your TIME, not your money. Give them some of your time doing whatever simple task they need done because they're completely swamped and can't get to it. If you've got a skill they can use then all the better. It's a win/win.
4. Get back to your busy life knowing that you've helped someone in need without needing to make a big production of it.
5. Repeat steps 3 and 4 as often as you like.
Click to expand...

This is kind of what I've done in the past and I have found it to be satisfying. And the tax thing and knowing where their money REALLY goes is a big reason why I am hesitant to organize a big fundraiser for some of them, and also why its hard to choose which ones. I like the idea of donating time and then going about my business. Its worked in the past. Here in Utah when I belonged to a Toyota club, instead of donating cash, we would organize a big run every quarter and do trail clean up and repair and I feel that really helped to keep our trails open. Weather it did or not who knows.

Thanks for the straight forward answer. They are hard to come by sometimes.
 
I hope you don't take this the wrong way but you're kind of putting the cart before the horse. Rather than kick around the idea about "organizing some kind of event or trail ride" to benefit some kind of charity, maybe you should first discover a place in your heart that you are truly passionate about. When you can do that, you won't need advice on how or what you can do to help make a difference because you'll already be doing it. Organized events or trail rides can be a lot of fun to do but lets be honest - the only thing you really help are the "feelings" of the people who attend it.

Just my 2¢
 
wayoflife said:
I hope you don't take this the wrong way but you're kind of putting the cart before the horse. Rather than kick around the idea about "organizing some kind of event or trail ride" to benefit some kind of charity, maybe you should first discover a place in your heart that you are truly passionate about. When you can do that, you won't need advice on how or what you can do to help make a difference because you'll already be doing it. Organized events or trail rides can be a lot of fun to do but lets be honest - the only thing you really help are the "feelings" of the people who attend it.

Just my 2¢
Click to expand...

Much appreciated Eddie! And nope, didn't take it the wrong way at all. I appreciate the different take on it and now that I think about it, the company I run on the side (very very small) does exactly what you mentioned above. It makes a difference without trying and its something I am very passionate about.

Thanks for all the advice guys. Much appreciated :thumb:
 
My wife & I have a private foundation that we use as a vehicle to fund organizations we support...mostly those that deal with children and abuse issues, as well as our symphony & others...

My advice would be to find a charitable organization(s) that support issues that are important to you...and support them in any manner that you can.

Starting a charity or charitable event is a grand endeavor...which includes tax, insurance & liability considerations, amongst other things that will require review from a competent attorney & cpa knowledgeable in charities...


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