catharine I always feel awkward talking about anything financial, for *gestures around at the state of the world on fire* semi obvious reasons, but I thought I’d share some organizations that I think are worthy of attention. Many of us are struggling right now, and no one should ever feel shame regarding money.
For people who are interested in this sort of thing, a suggested strategy: think about what you care about, research and choose several charities that reflect your beliefs, then set up a recurring monthly donation to a small selection of them, even if it’s a very small amount. Many people giving $5 a month does more good for budgets than the annual larger gift. Not only is it positive in terms of empowering others doing direct work, but it’s also helpful in terms of the mental health battle many people are in right now, wanting to make a difference, feeling like exploding. The stress makes us be unkind. So setting as many things on “autopilot” as possible removes one additional distraction from the mind- to make the decision once, or rarely, rather than every time a new disaster emerges.
One other thing I want to recommend is, if you haven’t already, consider a subscription to The New York Times. If you’re really in a tight spot, they allow online cancellation now, and offer very cheap subscriptions (and if you threaten to cancel, it will automatically offer you a very cheap one). I recommend subscribing to the newsletters of Nicholas Kristof, one of the journalists I respect the most. His work is very connected with real people, and things actually happening. He also maintains hope. I try to consume as much information as possible from sources that preserve hope, to keep my own alive, and free up mental space for what I want to be consumed with.
In any case here are some ideas, and obviously do your own research. Charity Navigator rates organizations and I recommend it.
- Doctors without Borders (link). They do a lot of good.
- Border Angels (link). This is an organization I care a lot about, because they do not operate out of condescension in any way. They literally put water in the desert. They are part of communities currently targeted, and help people that might be isolated.
- World Central Kitchen (link). This is often one of the first organizations feeding people when there is a disaster.
- Unicef (link). They focus on humanitarian aide for children.
- Mutual Aid Sudan (link)- recommended by Kristof in his reporting here (link) along with several other organizations helping people in Sudan.
