Donating for social change

[SHADOWFOX]

If money was not an object would you donate to social change? What agents of social change would you donate to and how would you want your funds used?

[cgallery]

Bring more opportunities to use a decent PC along with high-speed Internet to children living in impoverished communities. Pay someone like Pixar to develop tools to help very young children learn to read, and make those tools available on the web.

[dkerfoot]

I can not answer this without getting very political. Interesting question though!

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[dbhost]

Like dkerfoot mentioned, I tend to echo the statement, I cannot answer this without getting political, or religious. But it is an intriguing question.

[jackellis]

Education. Teach young folks to read, write, think critically, become math literate. Make sure they're curious about the world at large. I'd start here rather than abroad, because we have too many folks who can't do any of these things well and it has a profound effect on everyone's lives.

[cabinetman]

I would be prone to donate, and if possible participate in establishing education for the trades. I would donate to programs to employ ex military, honorably discharged, as I have made a practice of doing that.
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[Mr__Bill]

I would donate to schools for Arts programs. All those things that too many feel are too frivolous to fund but that make the world a far better place to live.


Bill,

[newood2]

Education. Teach young folks to read, write, think critically, become math literate. Make sure they're curious about the world at large. I'd start here rather than abroad, because we have too many folks who can't do any of these things well and it has a profound effect on everyone's lives.

I second that. Along with that, promote vocational skills like carpentry, plumbing, electrical, mechanical, etc. Any skill that can connect the brain to the hands - survival skills that will help develope work ethics. The Ipod, Xbox and the other miniature electronic gadgetry though vital and necessary as they may be, has engendered a culture of dependent drones. And I do not have to get political, just limiting it to the context of the family unit. The techno-oriented children (brats) cannot, and do not want to do anything with their hands except push little buttons, while forever expecting financial support from parents and older family members as if it's their right. I could go on but that's old man babbling.
For me, I would gladly donate to a mandatory vocational boot camp with post-internship after high school if they are not college bound.
Howie

[herb fellows]

I would donate to schools for Arts programs. All those things that too many feel are too frivolous to fund but that make the world a far better place to live.


Bill,

Except for the little problems like people not having enough to eat and decent health care, I agree with you. Sadly, and incredibly, those problems still exist, right here in America for starters.

The arts have really gotten clobbered across the board with the 'economic downturn', from individual artists who have no buyers for their work right up to museums who are losing up to 50% of donations in some cases.

[billwmeyer]

Social change?

I don't know if this fits that category. After my daughters house burned, we had a community and a BT3 Central outpouring of generosity. That is what I would like to do. I would donate to local victims of disasters and health related problems, especially child related.

Bill

[crokett]

You can donate right now for social change. I would prefer to reform some existing donation practices and current government spending to use funds more efficiently. I can't go any further without having to moderate myself.

[phrog]

I don't think it would qualify as "social" change but while I was in dental school in Memphis, I was greatly impressed with the St. Jude Children's Hospital. It is probably the most deserving charity of which I know and would gladly donate anything I could possibly afford.
Richard

[LinuxRandal]

If money was not an object would you donate to social change? What agents of social change would you donate to and how would you want your funds used?

Why is money the only aspect here?

I've been thinking of how to respond to this as I would like to say more then I am able to.

You have organizations that deal with small amounts, and people trying to help people directly, like Kiva (PBS did a special on that some time back). You also make social changes by helping those less fortunate, whether they have lost everything due to fire/theft/flood, etc, not having a father/mother figure, etc.

While this may not directly affect the masses in your lifetime, don't discount it either. I've seen what happens when one person, got paid to go out and give of their time, and the lessons it taught their child, who know gives out chunks for a rather large organization.

Social change starts at home, with you, not with your bank account.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_mLeSPk3ddE&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hvHVi...=1246677505.28