Many people love to donate to small charity, but are put off if bombarded with letters and emails once they start to give. Also many people like to donate a small amount to different causes, and then feel guilty if they choose a different cause each month, when being asked by previous charities to donate again.
Giving should be private anyway. Sign up with Charities Aid Foundation (or just tick the ‘anonymous box’ for one-off donations). Once registered, you can donate to who you like, and your details won’t be passed on. It also runs a bank account for small charities.
This idea was to help stop situations like happened with Olive, a kind widowed poppy seller in Bristol. Although she had depression anyway, she jumped off a bridge in her 80s. It was later found that she had given to big charities who had sold her name to others. And she was giving nearly all her income away, responding to hundreds of requests for donations.
Researching Small Charities
Now that you know your values, it’s time find small charities that match them. They may not have big marketing budgets, so finding them may take more effort. Start by entering your charity focus (and area if apt) at Find That Charity. It will bring up the big charities first, but also all the smaller registered ones, for you to peruse.
Then look up your chosen charities at the government’s Register of Charities. This will tell you a bit more about them, what their income/expenditures are, and if anyone earns over £60,000.
Finally, find out if the charitiy tests on animals. Animal Aid has an extensive list (green charities don’t test, and red charities do).
