One (relatively new to me) charity you might want to consider: Camfed (Campaign for Female Education), a nonprofit organization dedicated to eradicating poverty in Africa through the education of girls and the empowerment of young women. Camfed works directly with girls and women in rural areas of Zimbabwe, Zambia, Ghana and Tanzania, providing educational and economic opportunities.

Camfed has a seed money microgrant and microcredit program that is run by young women for young women, creating a bond of female solidarity that is integral to its success. Young women in the seed money program receive an initial microgrant, which they do not have to repay, in order to launch a small business venture, thus benefiting themselves, their families, and their entire communities.

Also International Rescue Committee, Oxfam, Afghans for Afghans. (A4A is largely aimed at knitters and crocheters, but they do accept cash donations as well.)

While I agree with Ron about education, my husband and I tend to make our biggest donations to international relief organizations that help people whose poverty is inconceivable to any American. As in having literally nothing to wear in freezing weather.

MercyCorps is a nondenominational aid organization: http://www.mercycorps.org/aboutus/overview

IRC (International Rescue Committee) does good work.

An organization that I have been looking at is FINCA, a microfinance organization. (www.villagebanking.org/site/c.erKPI2PCIo…)

Finally, there is “Women for Women” (www.womenforwomen.org/who.htm) which directly assists women in achieving self-sufficiency.

http://www.scarleteen.com/help_sustain_scarleteen

http://nosnowhere.wordpress.com/

It would be an awesome way to support a feminist/indy media cause!!!!

:-)

As a board member, I have supported many parents and teachers in Oregon in effective teaching practices. Although you can read books, the best way is to show people and to directly work with children. At this time, pretty much no insurance pays for treating children with autism - they leave it up to the schools. And we all know how well funded schools are…

Please consider our nonprofit. Although we are new, we have literally no overhead. All board members are volunteers.

Sheesh, I shouldn’t read that site too often though–as a former urban middle school teacher, it’s poignant as hell. There’s a Chicago public pre-K teacher that just wants a big sturdy dollhouse and furniture and diverse dolls for it. Another teacher seems to just want a case of glue sticks. There’s a school out there with one TV for the whole building–they want to get a second one. And on and on.

…According to the report to be officially released on Wednesday, the majority of residents living in FEMA trailers are employed. Residents living in FEMA trailers also tend to be older, with an emphasis on the elderly and disabled. 55% of residents interviewed were 50 years old or older and 22% were 62 years and older, and almost 40% reported that someone living in their trailer had “special needs” including a disability. In addition, many residents reported health problems. Fifteen percent (15%) of the residents interviewed reported they were suffering from depression, anxiety, other symptoms of post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues. In addition, 29% reported rashes, itchy eyes, breathing problems and other symptoms usually related to high levels formaldehyde in their FEMA trailer.

With FEMA reporting that over 100,000 people still live in FEMA trailers across the Gulf Coast, it is even more worrisome that 55% of residents interviewed report that if they were to be evicted from their FEMA trailer in the next few months they would have no family they could turn to for help and they expected to be homeless…
— No Way To Treat Our People, Louisiana Justice Institute, via New Orleans Indymedia, 4/29/08