A New Kind of Charity this Ramadan

A very important subject that you have covered in this post, most definitely donors and contributors to such charitable organizations should thoroughly review who they are about to entrust and what portion of their charity literally reaches the deserving, i.e. what portion of the donation/contribution is used by the organization in the name of administrative costs to run the organization and it's expenses which includes salaries of officials etc.
Following is an example of a very highly performing organization that has been seen on all scenes of disasters throughout the world regardless of which region of the world it may be:(this is only an example and no endorsement of the organization is intended except their track record)

Charity Name: Islamic Relief USA – CA
Overall Rating:
Overall Score: (64.61)
Organizational Efficiency
Program Expenses 96.1%
ï?¶ Administrative Expenses 1.9% (A very important consideration for donors)
ï?¶ Fundraising Expenses 1.8% (A very important consideration for donors)
Fundraising Efficiency $0.01
Efficiency Rating (39.61)
Organizational Capacity
Primary Revenue Growth 89.3%
Program Expenses Growth 94.7%
Working Capital Ratio (years) 0.20
Capacity Rating
(25.00)
Islamic Relief USA was incorporated in 1993 and is a member of the Islamic Relief Worldwide family. Islamic Relief operates a wide variety of projects, including education and training, water and sanitation, income generation, orphan support, health and nutrition, and emergency relief. Islamic Relief also sponsors many domestic projects including homeless feedings, toy fairs for children, financial assistance, healthcare in underserved areas, the annual 'Humanitarian Day' program, providing food, medical care, hygiene kits, clothes, blankets, and more to homeless and underserved communities across the United States, and more.

Islamic Relief USA
6131 Orangethorpe Avenue
Suite 450
Buena Park, CA 90620
Tel: (888) 479-4968
Fax: (714) 676-1301

Mail donations to:
P.O. Box 5640
Buena Park, CA 90622
http://www.irw.org/

Their services have included relief of affected by the, Tsunami disaster, the Pakistan Earthquake disaster, cyclone Sidr in Bangladesh, Somalia food crisis, Darfur crisis, Katrina crisis, Palestine Gaza crisis; other than these and other crisis intervention IRW has been coordinating the Qurbani meat distribution to the deserving in many countries for last several years.

I am a strong supporter of two highly professional and effective organizations:

1. Bilquise Edhi Foundation
2. The Citizens Foundation

Both organizations are completely apolitical and contribute generously towards the health issues and education issues facing this country. I urge all Pakistanis to support these two organizations.

I am a strong supporter of two highly professional and effective organizations:

1. Bilquise Edhi Foundation
2. The Citizens Foundation

Both organizations are completely apolitical and contribute generously towards the health issues and education issues facing this country. I urge all Pakistanis to support these two organizations.

there is one similar kind of website which can help you chose your favourite website or help your favourtie website receiving donations and prospering i.e ammado.com

Consider giving donation to

http://indianarmy.nic.in/ag/awwa.html

"To care for the widows of the Army is a core focus of AWWA. It has instituted Brave Hearts Empowerment Project for this purpose. AWWA does not merely recognize society’s debt to the brave soldiers who have made the supreme sacrifice of their lives in the service of our country but also pledges that the irreparable loss for the families will not leave them isolated. A conscious effort to ameliorate the sufferings of the bereaved families is being done. AWWA Helplines at Delhi ,Calcutta, Udhampur , Nagrota and Srinagar have come up. More Helplines are in the process of being set up at various Regional AWWA. Grievances can be directly submitted to AWWA using the form available at the website, with the assistance of Helpline.

AWWA runs 30 ASHA schools for the differently abled children. This pioneering effort was started in 1991. AWWA has been selected and nominated as major partner by Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to undertake assistive devices camp which includes ready to use and tailor made appliances/equipment in the far flung areas of J&K and North Eastern region of India. AWWA has defined this mandate as Reach the Unreach. Towards his purpose 17 assessment camps have been conducted and aids and appliances worth two crore rupees have been distributed in 2006-2007. "

an interesting and important topic - we really need a lot of education on making goood choices for our donations. it is true most often we go by emotions and it is so very critical to watch for that. this article will help in that direction. thank you

Re: # 3
Siddiqi sahib
I am very familiar with the "Bilquise Edhi Foundation" and no matter what they are known to do a wonderful job in all disasters regardless of the size or catastrophe, in addition to their grass-roots welfare work in the general community.
What I wonder is as to why they are not listed on the site recommended by the author, and, if there is any way they can be listed on there?
With regards to the second one "The Citizens Foundation" this is a new name to me which does not mean that there is anything wrong with them but it would be helpful to have some more details on them, would you happen to know where I can acquire additional information about them with some statistics?
Any information in this concern will be appreciated as it is important that donors are able to look up the profile of such organizations.

"Almost three years later, the work is not finished; there are hundreds of schools, clinics and other basic services missing in rural and even urban Pakistan. The work continues, and so does the support" -- this is so sad.
Fatimah

With relevance to Ramadan and Giving I share my renditions of verses 2.261:265 of Qur'an: (please note power of metaphor in the last two paras)

"That which you give in God’s name
Is like a corn with seven veins
Each one having a hundred grains
God gives in abundance to whom He wills
He knows all and is bountiful

When you give something in God’s name
And abstain from tacking any disdain
God rewards you with no constraints
No fear befalls you or regrets remain

A kinder word, a fault forgiven
Is better than alms with disdain given
God needs not a thing from you
His grace suffices with plentitude

Believers, do not mar your giving
With gibes, jeers and acts derogating
Nor indulge in giving like those
Who give but for the sake of show
And in God they have no believe
Nor that there will hereafter be

Semblance of such people is a rock
Which for a while is covered with a moss
But if a shower of rain over falls
All is washed away leaving the rock
As bare and hard as it always was
They gain nothing by what they do
God does not guide those who are not true

But those who give to please God
And to strengthen their soul and thoughts
Their semblance is like an orchid on a hill
When there is rain it doubly yields
And if no rain falls, they are watered by dew
All your acts the Providence knew"

Qur'an: 2.261:265