What charity are you donating to this Christmas season?

manatee2005 · Post by **manatee2005** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:15 pm

I have Habitat For Humanity, Wounded Warriors, Feeding America. Where else are Bogleheads donating?

TravelforFun · Post by **TravelforFun** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:19 pm

manatee2005 wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:15 pm I have Habitat For Humanity, Wounded Warriors, Feeding America. Where else are Bogleheads donating?

Meals on Wheels, Habitat for Humanity, my alma mater, and several local charities. I also give cash to my mail carrier and the local Starbucks staff.

TravelforFun

KlangFool · Post by **KlangFool** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:23 pm

OP,

As usual, the local food bank.

KlangFool

nisiprius · Post by **nisiprius** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:34 pm

Mostly the local food pantry. A scattering of small donations as requested by friends, relatives, etc.

Kompass · Post by **Kompass** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:39 pm

A local collective that supports Southern California wetlands restoration projects.

I give my mothers caregivers generous end of year bonuses.

Tipping household help as well.

Still considering where else to give, glad to see this thread for ideas.

runner3081 · Post by **runner3081** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:40 pm

Toys to a charity that supports foster children.

Fallible · Post by **Fallible** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:59 pm

All year, I've concentrated increasingly on donating to several local food banks whose shortages just keep worsening because of the pandemic.

manatee2005 · Post by **manatee2005** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:44 pm

Kompass wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:39 pm A local collective that supports Southern California wetlands restoration projects.

I give my mothers caregivers generous end of year bonuses.

Tipping household help as well.

Still considering where else to give, glad to see this thread for ideas.

What about St Jude's or Shriners children's hospitals?

student · Post by **student** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 10:45 pm

My employer (a university) and one of my alma maters.

jlawrence01 · Post by **jlawrence01** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:05 pm

Salvation Army
Borderlands Food Bank
The local school district
The Catholic tuition support organization
CHARIS

cheese_breath · Post by **cheese_breath** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:10 pm

Joni & Friends

anon_investor · Post by **anon_investor** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:10 pm

KlangFool wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:23 pm OP,

As usual, the local food bank.

KlangFool

+1.

Dottie57 · Post by **Dottie57** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:13 pm

KlangFool wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:23 pm OP,

As usual, the local food bank.

KlangFool

Ditto.

Plus some national orgs like Feeding America. Also a Sioux Indian school Which is part of Catholic Charities.

teCh0010 · Post by **teCh0010** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:15 pm

Food bank, Meals on Wheels, imagination library, Angel tree

camillus · Post by **camillus** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:21 pm

My pre-covid gym is run by the salvation army. We shifted our dues from the gym to the salvation army county office.

We have adopted a school in Honduras that we support. I really like sending cash to this community, especially now after the Hurricanes.

IowaFarmWife · Post by **IowaFarmWife** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:30 pm

Catholic Charities

Local food bank

Toys for Tots

My parish

dru808 · Post by **dru808** » Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:32 pm

HARF.

CZjc1330 · Post by **CZjc1330** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 12:44 am

Smile Train, Wounded Warriors, St Jude & Shriners.

I used to give a chunk to my Alma Mater. But no longer for today's version is so very different to my school days. 120% different in the academic environment, curricula, mindset, etc. that I just can't support.
Very disappointed.

manatee2005 · Post by **manatee2005** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 1:42 am

camillus wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 11:21 pm My pre-covid gym is run by the salvation army. We shifted our dues from the gym to the salvation army county office.

We have adopted a school in Honduras that we support. I really like sending cash to this community, especially now after the Hurricanes.

How did you find a school in Honduras to support?

manatee2005 · Post by **manatee2005** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 1:44 am

CZjc1330 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 12:44 am Smile Train, Wounded Warriors, St Jude & Shriners.

I used to give a chunk to my Alma Mater. But no longer for today's version is so very different to my school days. 120% different in the academic environment, curricula, mindset, etc. that I just can't support.
Very disappointed.

I get letters from my alma mater all the time, but I feel my tuition was donation enough hehehe

camillus · Post by **camillus** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:06 am

manatee2005 wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 1:42 amHow did you find a school in Honduras to support?

Through a connection with my local faith community. It's a religious school. Even so, I think funneling cash to this school has substantial "non religious" benefit. These dollars are all being spent in that little town in Honduras, paying wages, buying food, etc.

HomeStretch · Post by **HomeStretch** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:13 am

Feeding America
Local food bank
Gates Foundation COVID 19 fund
Local zoo
Local hospital teddy bear fund for children hospitalized during the holidays
St. Judes
Local drives for toys, winter gear, etc.

Barsoom · Post by **Barsoom** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 3:21 am

Our usual are:

Toys for Tots (we don't have children)
Smile Train (in honor of a friend)
Select dog rescue groups (dachshund breeds)
Various cancer/leukemia charities
Children's Miracle Network
Probably other health-related charities in honor of family members

-B

bampf · Post by **bampf** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 4:29 am

KlangFool wrote: ↑Sat Nov 21, 2020 9:23 pm OP,

As usual, the local food bank.

KlangFool

To be hungry is not acceptable in this country and this time. Im with klang,

Post by **LadyGeek** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:08 am

A previous discussion, End of year cheer, was locked due to ethical issues. Let's try this again (requested by the OP).

Please remain focused on the financial aspects.

(This thread is now in the Personal Consumer Issues forum (charity - how you spend your money and your time).)

clip651 · Post by **clip651** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:20 am

Local food bank

Nature Conservancy

Local zoos and aquariums. They are struggling with limited visitor income and are important local educational institutions.

egrets · Post by **egrets** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:24 am

Local animal shelters. These are almost entirely volunteer run, although one has a part time office manager. This is my primary charitable interest.

Also, since they are local, I can see that they are doing good and the donations don't go into some wealthy CEO's pocket, like the half mil a year a cancer "charity" CEO was getting recently.

1210sda · Post by **1210sda** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:34 am

Gary Sinise Foundation

BradJ · Post by **BradJ** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:39 am

It is great to see so many people donate to great causes. For those who donate to St. Jude, thank you and let me assure you your money truly helps those who need it. Sadly I know the reality of childhood cancer and using St. Jude services.

Carson · Post by **Carson** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:43 am

Just a PSA, even if you don't itemize, you can add a deduction of up to $300 ($600 MFJ) in 2020 for charitable contributions

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-the-ca ... tributions

jebmke · Post by **jebmke** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:51 am

Carson wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:43 am Just a PSA, even if you don't itemize, you can add a deduction of up to $300 ($600 MFJ) in 2020 for charitable contributions

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-the-ca ... tributions

$300 for Single or MFJ

Also, I believe you cannot take this adjustment if you itemize. What I am not sure about is whether this adjustment can be taken if you itemize for an amount less than the standard deduction.

bsteiner · Post by **bsteiner** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:52 am

While the statute (Section 62(a)(22), added by the CARES Act, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/62) isn't clear (at least not to me), the description by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation says that the deduction is limited to $300 on a joint return: https://www.jct.gov/publications/2020/jcx-12r-20/. See footnote 76 on page 22.

jebmke · Post by **jebmke** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:01 am

bsteiner wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:52 am While the statute (Section 62(a)(22), added by the CARES Act, https://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/text/26/62) isn't clear (at least not to me), the description by the staff of the Joint Committee on Taxation says that the deduction is limited to $300 on a joint return: https://www.jct.gov/publications/2020/jcx-12r-20/. See footnote 76 on page 22.

That is also what appears in the draft IRS instructions for completing Form 1040.

jimmo · Post by **jimmo** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:02 am

A couple not mentioned:

Doctors Without Borders
The Nature Conservancy
KIVA

I usually split mine about 50/50 between local / non-local organizations. To find those local to you, you may want to check with your local rotary club, Kiwanis, etc. to identify those meaningful to you.

Nowizard · Post by **Nowizard** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:26 am

Salvation Army and local charities aiding with food insecurity. Estimated 20% of population in that category.

Tim

Xrayman69 · Post by **Xrayman69** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:45 am

Children’s Hospital
Local food bank
Women and children’s housing/homeless advocacy group
Foster children support group

Arabesque · Post by **Arabesque** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 9:48 am

The highly rated Fistula Foundation

https://fistulafoundation.org/

mary1969 · Post by **mary1969** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:00 am

Have a friend with colon cancer and a friend with ALS. I will help them. Also, will go out of my way to give local restaurants business, given they are really suffering with Covid restrictions.

l

minesweep · Post by **minesweep** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:01 am

The charities that I’m donating to for the month of December are:
Alex’s Lemonade Stand Foundation
Doctors Without Borders
Catholic Relief Services

Oilcans · Post by **Oilcans** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:10 am

There are so many good ones out there but we have narrowed ours down to:

KC Pink Warriors for breast cancer survivors
Wounded Warriors Family Support which is different from the other one
Food Bank
Ronald McDonald House
H Lee Moffitt Cancer Center
Make-A_Wish

Thanks to everyone who is donating this Christmas season as well as all year long.

Stinky · Post by **Stinky** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 10:58 am

My local church.

My community’s Boy’s Choir, which normally performs a wonderful Christmas concert but is forced to go “virtual” this year.

wander · Post by **wander** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:00 am

I don't see any difference between donating to Christmas season and to other months. People need food everyday.

Gill · Post by **Gill** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:01 am

None, because it is much more beneficial from a tax standpoint to make those gifts through QCD's in early January. I have already told two charities to expect a check then.
Gill

Gill · Post by **Gill** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:03 am

Carson wrote: ↑Sun Nov 22, 2020 8:43 am Just a PSA, even if you don't itemize, you can add a deduction of up to $300 ($600 MFJ) in 2020 for charitable contributions

https://www.irs.gov/newsroom/how-the-ca ... tributions

No, you are limited to $300 on a MFJ return as well.
Gill

Ferdinand2014 · Post by **Ferdinand2014** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:05 am

Our family tithes 10% of our income year round:

Backpack for kids
Samaritans purse
Local church
Wounded Warrior project
Homes for veterans
We donate heating oil, wood in winter to families in need
Local animal shelter

random_walker_77 · Post by **random_walker_77** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:11 am

My local food bank
Fred Hutch cancer research center (I feel it's better to donate directly to a reputable cancer research center rather than give to any of the "name brand" charities that raise funds for cancer research)

I also have funds that I set aside for kiva recirculating to new lendees.

BrooklynInvest · Post by **BrooklynInvest** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:19 am

I donate to:

New York Times Neediest Cases Fund. The Times Foundation vets the charities so 100% of the donations go to well-managed organizations with transparent financials

Food banks. God knows they need it

The Osborne Society. They provide emotional and financial help and visits to children whose parents are in prison

catlady · Post by **catlady** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:23 am

Local food bank, toy drive (cash this year), and animal shelter.

yatesd · Post by **yatesd** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:34 am

We give throughout the year to our church, Salvation Army, Samaritan's Purse, and our volunteer fire department.

WWJBDo · Post by **WWJBDo** » Sun Nov 22, 2020 11:40 am

Non-COVID charitable organizations are hurting this year. COVID-related orgs, including food banks are getting donations in large part from Cares tax law changes allowing a $300 deduction without itemizing in 2020.
Some of the alternative charities we are supporting this year, not mentioned so far (not specifically Christmas related)

Wikipedia https://foundation.wikimedia.org/wiki/Home
Xerces Society http://xerces.org/
Electronic Frontier Foundation https://www.eff.org/
Botanical Garden
MS society https://www.nationalmssociety.org/
Additional science/medical orgs.

PSA: "Wounded Warrior" has several questionable sound-alikes, as per Charity navigator. You might verify which one you are supporting:
https://www.charitynavigator.org/index. ... ch.results