People helping people is one wonderful thing that has been a constant all through history. Remember the good Samaritan in the Bible, the women who helped Jesus during his ministry, and the man who gave up his tomb after the crucifixion. There are many philanthropic organizations today. Among them are hundreds of public charities that operate throughout the world.
A philanthropic organization is called a charity when it promotes the common good without expecting to turn a profit. The earliest attempts outside of religious entities were in London in the mid-eighteenth century. Wealthy aristocrats decided to help the most destitute in the city. Later, some charities formed by wealthy men did much good and at the same time rendered a monetary gain to their investors. This is not often the case in modern times, when non-profit organizations abound.
Some, like the Foundling Hospital begun in 1741 in London or the Magdalen Hospital founded a few years later, sought to keep helpless children off the streets and educate them for a better life. Others gave plots of land to the poor, which allowed them to grow food for themselves. This 'teach a man to fish' approach was a practical way to offer help.
A charity can feed the poor, save feral animals in the city, preserve land for future generations and for wildlife, dig wells for villages without clean water, build hospitals or clinics, or provide other kinds of aid. An educational organization can function as a non-profit. In America, the IRS tax code determines the status of a charitable organization. Other countries also regulate beneficent organizations; each region has different requirements that must be met to qualify for exemption to taxes or regulations.
In the US, the IRS sets the qualifications of an organization that makes it public. Such a charity will have many donors, rather than one (like one wealthy philanthropist or a corporation). It will fulfill its mission directly rather than funding other groups. Its mission could be preserving open space, helping women start businesses, employing the handicapped, supporting libraries, endowing colleges and universities, or helping drug addicts to recovery.
Public groups get the money they need from individuals, from the government, and from grants given by private groups. If an entity is non-profit, as most are, it pays no taxes. Scams and greed abound in this arena, but much good is done by reputable organizations.
There are IRS guidelines and regulations that seek to make sure that this system is not used as a tax dodge. Some non-profits are agencies that evaluate charitable groups so donors can be assured that their gifts are being used properly and efficiently. If too much is spent on administration, kept inactive in bank accounts, or wasted in inefficient efforts, the examiners will not award a high rating.
Some charities are localized, like ones that work in Appalachia or in a particular African nation. Others may be international, with outreach in many countries. Some may limit their efforts to providing scholarships for minority students or to protecting the habitat for one species, while others may have flexibility in how they help. There are those that are more political than others. Anyone who wishes to help the less fortunate will be able to find a way to give.
A philanthropic organization is called a charity when it promotes the common good without expecting to turn a profit. The earliest attempts outside of religious entities were in London in the mid-eighteenth century. Wealthy aristocrats decided to help the most destitute in the city. Later, some charities formed by wealthy men did much good and at the same time rendered a monetary gain to their investors. This is not often the case in modern times, when non-profit organizations abound.
Some, like the Foundling Hospital begun in 1741 in London or the Magdalen Hospital founded a few years later, sought to keep helpless children off the streets and educate them for a better life. Others gave plots of land to the poor, which allowed them to grow food for themselves. This 'teach a man to fish' approach was a practical way to offer help.
A charity can feed the poor, save feral animals in the city, preserve land for future generations and for wildlife, dig wells for villages without clean water, build hospitals or clinics, or provide other kinds of aid. An educational organization can function as a non-profit. In America, the IRS tax code determines the status of a charitable organization. Other countries also regulate beneficent organizations; each region has different requirements that must be met to qualify for exemption to taxes or regulations.
In the US, the IRS sets the qualifications of an organization that makes it public. Such a charity will have many donors, rather than one (like one wealthy philanthropist or a corporation). It will fulfill its mission directly rather than funding other groups. Its mission could be preserving open space, helping women start businesses, employing the handicapped, supporting libraries, endowing colleges and universities, or helping drug addicts to recovery.
Public groups get the money they need from individuals, from the government, and from grants given by private groups. If an entity is non-profit, as most are, it pays no taxes. Scams and greed abound in this arena, but much good is done by reputable organizations.
There are IRS guidelines and regulations that seek to make sure that this system is not used as a tax dodge. Some non-profits are agencies that evaluate charitable groups so donors can be assured that their gifts are being used properly and efficiently. If too much is spent on administration, kept inactive in bank accounts, or wasted in inefficient efforts, the examiners will not award a high rating.
Some charities are localized, like ones that work in Appalachia or in a particular African nation. Others may be international, with outreach in many countries. Some may limit their efforts to providing scholarships for minority students or to protecting the habitat for one species, while others may have flexibility in how they help. There are those that are more political than others. Anyone who wishes to help the less fortunate will be able to find a way to give.
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Get a summary of the things to consider before selecting public charities and more information about a great charity organization at http://tableofplentyhmb.org/board-of-directors now.
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