The Best Run Charities
If you are feeling generous, donating to a charity is a great use of excess cash. However, just because you feel strongly about a cause should not be the only reason you donate to a certain organization. Luckily, numerous organizations keep tabs on charities to let you know which are the best run; and where you can rest assured that your philanthropic gift is being put to good use.
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Animals
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If animal protection is something you feel passionate about, there are numerous well-run charities that help our furry friends. The American Institute for Philanthropy rated the Animal Welfare Institute an A+. That organization, founded in 1951, works to alleviate suffering inflicted by humans on animals, focusing on animal experiments and factory farms. For those who are worried about endangered species, the Diane Fossey Gorilla Fund International also receives high marks. Founded in 1978, the charity protects gorillas from poachers and provides educational opportunities.
Health Issues
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There are so many organizations out there dedicated to health issues, it can be difficult to pick where to donate you money. Among the top rated charities for medical issues are the American Kidney Fund, Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation and the Michael J. Fox Foundation for Parkinson's Research, according to the American Institute for Philanthropy. If your focus is international health issues, Ashoka recommends Doctors Without Borders/Médecins Sans Frontières, which won a Nobel Peace Prize in 1999.
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Young People
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If helping underprivileged young people is a cause you are passionate about, you have numerous organizations to choose from with high marks. Both Scholarship America, which helps kids get into and graduate from college, and Big Brothers/Big Sisters of America, which pairs underprivileged kids with a positive role model, both received an A+ from the American Institute for Philanthropy. For kids worldwide, donate with confidence to Save the Children, a program that helps impoverished children worldwide get access to food, education and health care.
Homelessness
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In many American cities, homelessness is an important and dire issue. If people do not have access to the proper shelter and food, it is possible they will die on the streets. The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a charity that gets high marks for taking steps to prevent and end homelessness. Formed in the '80's, the group works on both federal and local levels to help people without permanent housing. Another highly rated charity is the Coalition for the Homeless, formed in 1981, which helps pair homeless people with food and shelter.
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