You’re a broke student; you’ve barely got enough money to put food in your own mouth, let alone try to feed other people — I get it. But hear me out. The habits you build now on how you spend your money are the same ones you’ll have once you’re making bank with that swanky job you’ll surely get once you’ve graduated. Building the habit of giving a small portion of your budget to worthy charitable causes makes you more invested in the cause and is potentially life changing to those in dire need.
Are you skeptical of how charitable organizations really spend their donations? While it is necessary to conduct thorough research into how organizations spend their funds, do not let cynicism stop you from giving anything at all.
In the ocean of charities screaming for your money, here are a handful of trustworthy organizations to get you thinking of where to start your giving journey.
- Kiva: With a model that allows you to choose which women’s business you want to give a microloan to, this organization is a game changer. You can make a loan as small as $25 to Aidai to buy cattle for breeding in Kazakhstan, or to Akaneese who sells handmade jewelry in Samoa, or to Brenda who needs to buy inventory for her shoe store in Guatemala. There is a 96.9 per cent repayment rate among loans made through Kiva, so once your microloan has been repaid, you can choose who you want to give to next.
- Cyrus Centre: Located on Ware Street in Abbotsford, as well as Wellington Avenue in Chilliwack, The Cyrus Center provides medical attention, food, warm showers, and a place to sleep for homeless youth. There are a myriad of other services available at the centre as well, such as help with housing and employment, and mediation to reunite families. This incredible organization is the reason why some vulnerable youth in Abbotsford are still alive today.
- Preemptive Love Coalition: Focusing on relief in the war-torn nations of Iraq and Syria, as well as job creation for refugees, this U.S.-based organization provides food, water, and medical care right on the frontlines. Committed to both crisis relief and long-term impact, every dollar spent is carefully tracked and reported. They are so transparent with their finances that you are able to view exactly where your money is going on their website, where they publish their financial statements.
- Run for Water: This locally founded organization holds yearly runs in both Abbotsford and Calgary to raise money to drill wells in the most rural communities of Ethiopia. 100 per cent of every dollar given goes directly to clean water projects which are managed entirely by Ethiopians. The communities receiving the wells raise 10 per cent of the total cost of the water project, and receive entrepreneurial training which helps them raise this money.
These are just a few of the organizations I personally know to be honest and reputable. I would gladly sacrifice my Tim Hortons runs to be able to financially support their projects. In the end, you need to give to causes you are passionate about, whether it be an animal shelter, LBGTQ support centre, or sending underprivileged kids to summer camp.
Do your research before giving. If it’s a local organization, try visiting their centre to see what it does first hand. If it’s a larger organization, read or listen to interviews from its founders, staff, or the people they serve. If it’s a U.S. charity, look them up on Charity Navigator, a site that rates U.S. based non-profits. Don’t give up on giving to organizations just because you’re lazy and wary of trusting charitable organizations. There are so many worthy causes and amazing organizations you can give $10 a month to.
Image: Kayt Hine/The Cascade
Andrea Sadowski is working towards her BA in Global Development Studies, with a minor in anthropology and Mennonite studies. When she's not sitting in front of her computer, Andrea enjoys climbing mountains, sleeping outside, cooking delicious plant-based food, talking to animals, and dismantling the patriarchy.
