OzBargain 2013 EoFY Charity Donation - Vote for Charities!

scotty on 06/06/2013 - 13:36
Last edited 23/06/2013 - 21:43 by 1 other user

Post-Poll Update: Thanks to everyone who has participated! We now have the top 3 charities voted from our community members, and the donation will be distributed according to the votes they have got:

Charity Votes Donation
Fred Hollows Foundation 127 $5,902
Cancer Council 93 $4,322
Salvation Army 69 $3,206

I will be arranging the donation and post an update here once it's done.

Donation Update: Final amount — $13,430. Please use the poll to vote your favourite charity.

It's that time of the year again! We donated last year, and again just before Christmas. For the end of this financial year, OzBargain will again donate $10,000 to charities in Australia — and you guys are going to help us to decide which one to donate to. Do use last Christmas' list as a guide on which charities in Australia have minimum administrative cost, as we do prefer to give to those that put majority of donations to good causes.

However, there's more! For every unique commenter here (of published comments), I would be adding an extra $10 to the donation, until mid-night this Sunday 9th of June (or until my accountant calls in to cut this short :) So, if there are 100 people commenting in this thread, I'll be adding an extra $1,000 to the donation. Or an extra $2,500 if there are 250 people comment here (to the total of $12,500).

Do note that

  • Creating multiple accounts on OzBargain is against our terms and conditions, and might get your accounts banned.
  • Posting spam, personal attacks and trolling comments might get your comment removed (your account might be temporarily banned as well). Unpublished comments don't count towards the tally.

So,

  • DONE. Until Sunday 9 June, comment and suggest the charity that OzBargain should be donating to this year.
  • DONE. We'll finalise the amount (after counting the unique commenters), and then put up a poll for people to vote.
  • DONE. Voting will stop on 16 June. The top 3 charities will receive their portion of donation in proportion to the number of votes they get.
  • DONE OzBargain will then donate to these charity organisations the following week.

All clear?

Poll Options expired

  • 36
    Australian Prostate Cancer Research
  • 52
    Beyond Blue
  • 93
    Cancer Council
  • 127
    Fred Hollows Foundation
  • 9
    MS Australia
  • 29
    Medicins Sans Frontiers
  • 37
    RSPCA
  • 9
    Red Cross
  • 30
    Royal Flying Doctors
  • 69
    Salvation Army
  • 11
    Swags for Homeless
  • 7
    The Smith Family
Site Discussion

Comments

    • cyssero on 14/06/2013 - 21:48

      Thrilled to see Fred Hollows Foundation getting support this year. I'm not judging the validity of charities, but it is who I personally support and will also be donating to this year.

      It lost to third place last year so really good to see it take #1. Great job promoting awareness for them, jelko.

  • kwaker on 07/06/2013 - 09:12

    Staffy rescue. Most dog rescue charities will rescue small dogs and leave staffies so staffy rescue are left with a bigger financial and resource burden for this breed which is the majority of genuine rescue I.e pound pts lists. because staffies are one of the most popular dogs alot of over population means pounds are full of them and they are small family run rescue who needs this more than big corporations. Our little furry friends give so much to us this is a way to give to them.

  • sparkles on 07/06/2013 - 09:53

    Add $10 for meeeee :)

    I quite like the idea of the swag beds again (given it's winter time now and there is probably a constant need)

    I also like the RSPCA/WSPA, but I'd also be behind jelko's idea of the Fred Hollows Foundation. yo

    ETA: Scotty can you pin this on the front page? I only found this thread via another comment. It's not showing as a recent forum discussion on the front page either.

    • mop36 on 07/06/2013 - 12:08

      I found it through Facebook

  • ericmclee on 07/06/2013 - 10:36

    Good on you Scotty and OzBargain.

    I'm going to suggest Diabetes Aust. https://www.diabetesaustralia.com.au

  • christopher8827 on 07/06/2013 - 12:02

    I'm going to have to suggest the Australian Red Cross.

  • mop36 on 07/06/2013 - 12:07
    +1

    I'm going to suggest white ribbon, we should be able to help anyway we can to stop violence against women

  • finland on 07/06/2013 - 12:22

    woo go scotty. another 10 bucks for this comment

  • zzyss on 07/06/2013 - 12:25
    +1

    I thought there was a site online for US where they tracked how much charities spend on themselves (administration, labour, etc.) vs. how much actually goes to the intended recipients.

    Can't find that again, but we should have something like that for Australia.

    • scotty on 07/06/2013 - 12:30
      +1

      We did have something like that in our last year's Christmas donation (based on a News.com.au article). They should make such information public…

      • neil on 07/06/2013 - 14:19
        +2

        Unfortunately, this doesn't exist in Australia. In fact, charities don't seem to be under any obligation to report their admin costs. It's a big loophole that opens up the system for someone to open a chartiy, spend most of the donations on themselves and get away with it.

  • terahammer on 07/06/2013 - 12:25
    +1

    great initiative

  • impoze on 07/06/2013 - 12:28

    Hope Mission Centre in Parramatta

    +$10

  • drfuzzy on 07/06/2013 - 12:33
    +1

    I would encourage you to consider donating to Australian Medical Research. As an Australian researcher, I know how difficult it is to fund vital research into diabetes and cardiovascular disease in Australia.

    http://www.bakeridi.edu.au/donate_now/

  • skegger on 07/06/2013 - 12:36
    +4

    Geelong Animal Welfare Society (GAWS). They are a no kill animal shelter and works to engage the community in helping animals through volunteer foster programs. They are not eligible for government grants as they are technically a council department, but they do not receive anywhere near the funding the RSPCA does for the volume of animals.

  • pg88 on 07/06/2013 - 12:49
    +2

    The Australian Government. Think it needs a bit of charity right now…

    In all seriousness, I'm +1-ing Fred Hollows

    • scotty on 07/06/2013 - 12:55
      +8

      The Australian Government. Think it needs a bit of charity right now…

      What's the percentage of administrative cost on that though?

      • sparkles on 07/06/2013 - 15:15
        +3

        2000%

      • sama on 07/06/2013 - 17:29

        Block-quote What's the percentage of administrative cost on that though?

        Up to $54,547 plus 45c for each $1 over $180,000 of your total income, according to the ATO.

        I'd keep them off this year's list if I were you.

    • cannedhams on 09/06/2013 - 17:24

      another pov for fred hollows. one of my favourite anarcho syndicalists.

  • Sinton on 07/06/2013 - 12:57
    +1

    First time long time and no better way to start: +$10 for the Salvos.

  • arcticmonkey on 07/06/2013 - 12:58

    Avalon Centre: www.avaloncentre.org.au

    A small group that has been going for 25 years. It has no paid staff and assists the homeless/disadvantaged.

  • noone on 07/06/2013 - 13:05

    awesome effort!

  • meph3x6 on 07/06/2013 - 13:22

    Telethon Institute for Child Health Research - unsure of the admin costs but they say they will provide info on request.

  • kati on 07/06/2013 - 13:29

    +1 :)

  • hoothoot on 07/06/2013 - 13:33
    +1

    Medicins Sans Frontiers, thank you! Only 3 to vote on and so many worthy causes :)

  • termiepants on 07/06/2013 - 13:56
    +1

    Well done ozbargain…. top effort :)

  • MementoMori on 07/06/2013 - 14:00

    +$10 :)

  • BarginHunter on 07/06/2013 - 14:12
    +2

    Swags for the homeless gets my vote.

    • Bargain4U on 07/06/2013 - 19:30
      +2

      Fixing the world's problems one swag at a time? Give me a break! What homeless really need is somewhere safe and stable to live and support not a swag in the gutter.

  • Ethereal Winter on 07/06/2013 - 14:21
    +4

    http://www.cracked.com/article_19899_5-popular-forms-charity…

    Whilst it is a comedy site, #3 on the list about picking charities with low administrative cost is quite an interesting read. I haven't done much research on it but reading the article, it discusses about how charities with higher admin cost are usually more efficient and doing good, whilst only donating to charities which have lower admin cost encourages them to cut corners and they are usually less efficient.

    I'm not arguing whether this is true but I wouldn't be so adamant that they should be the lowest admin cost charities. I think picking using the cause that charity represents should be a better meter on what you hope to achieve.

  • TheAviator on 07/06/2013 - 14:36

    So many good charities to choose from. I don't really mind but would be nice to see money going to a charity focusing on solving a problem, e.g. a cancer foundation or something like that.

    But wherever the money goes it will be welcome I'm sure, great idea guys! :)

  • dealman on 07/06/2013 - 14:36
    +4

    Scotty,
    Thanks once again for your generosity,

    …. which charities in Australia have minimum administrative cost, as we do prefer to give to those that put majority of donations to good causes.

    Just a small point if I may, Please listen to this talk it will change the way you think about charities forever. It did for me.

    Dan Pallotta: The way we think about charity is dead wrong - TED.com
    • Ethereal Winter on 07/06/2013 - 15:02

      Yes this is similar to what I meant in my post :)

    • scotty on 07/06/2013 - 15:16
      +5

      Says a fund raiser! That's his job! He was trying to sell "rethinking of charity" by blaming suffering of this world to charities not spending enough money?! Sorry I just don't buy that, and I think many of his arguments flawed.

      And charities that spend lots of money on advertisement? Like Oxfam that even uses affiliate network that you can even get 10% back from StartHere.

      Maybe I should not use the term "administrative cost" in my post — it should have been fund raising cost. I am fine with non-profit having operational cost and they should have high operational cost to put smart and capable people in the position of solving issues. However I am here holding $10k fund willing to give, I don't need charities spending high overhead on fund raising. In fact how much I am willing to give has already been decided (by this Sunday at least), and it won't be affected by charity fund's "marketing effort".

      Finally, those charities that spent big on fund raising might have already had a long queue of people giving to them. I much prefer to give to smaller charities that have smaller but more direct impact to this world.

      • dealman on 07/06/2013 - 15:45
        +1

        Sorry I just don't buy that, and I think many of his arguments flawed.

        No Worries, I can't argue with that.
        I can't bite the hand that feeds a charity, You are already doing more than I have done so, no complaints.

        I was just making the point that we shouldn't necessarily look down on charities that spend money on marketing. Before that talk I used to hate the charities that advertised on TV buying expensive airtime, not any more.

      • nicksinternet on 08/06/2013 - 07:13

        I agree Scotty. I donate regularly but the one thing I won't donate to are paid 'volunteers' and to charities who seem to spend all the money I donate to them on printing letters to send to me asking for money.

  • Ceceilia on 07/06/2013 - 14:56

    +1 The Salvation army

  • mr_asstight on 07/06/2013 - 15:21

    Donate to Red Cross

  • Pigey on 07/06/2013 - 15:28
    +2

    Smith Family

    • alwayscheaper on 07/06/2013 - 22:39

      Thanks finally see Smith Family - my love for supporting australian families.

  • OZrated on 07/06/2013 - 15:30
    +1

    Great Work! Lots of worthy causes mentioned - Amnesty Int'l do amazing work all across the world where governments think themselves beyond the rule of law, be it prisoners being tortured, peaceful protests being crushed and extrajudicial killings. Basically anywhere there's no one else to stand up for the little guy. So they'd get my vote:)

  • mooboy on 07/06/2013 - 15:33

    Another vote for the salvos - good work Scotty and all :)

  • chiefbodge on 07/06/2013 - 15:37

    RSPCA

  • stickyfingers on 07/06/2013 - 15:45

    +$10

  • vietbargain on 07/06/2013 - 15:53
    +1

    not sure about their operating costs but: http://www.bearcottage.chw.edu.au/

    "Just a stone's throw from Manly, Bear Cottage is a children's hospice that was established in 2001. Bear Cottage helps families cope with the impossible - to care for a child who has a life-limiting illness. To care for a child who is unlikely to see their 18th birthday, or their ninth birthday, or sometimes even their first birthday."

  • xeion on 07/06/2013 - 16:27
    • $10
  • goms on 07/06/2013 - 16:38

    Maybe split the money to several charities instead of just one

  • dalbo on 07/06/2013 - 16:40
    -3

    Maybe doesn't count as Australian, but I'll suggest LDS Humanitarian Services

    There is 0% administrative overhead.

    Oh, and +$10! Great work OzBargain.

    • machej on 07/06/2013 - 16:45
      +1

      I don't think Scotty can do wikipedia as it's not tax deductible for Aussies.

    • scotty on 07/06/2013 - 17:36
      +2

      Yeah. Personally I've donated to Wikipedia and Electronic Frontiers Australia — which is actually more relevant to the work I'm doing here (community, rights & freedom online, etc).

      However we have to go with a charity organisation this time.

    • iratepirate on 07/06/2013 - 20:52
      +3

      You are joking! give money to the Mormons …a church that has a $35+ billion worth of real estate and pulls in $7 billion a year from their 10% tax/tithe on every "temple recommended" member that gives out about 1.2% of this to the poorest people in the world as long as they're members :(

      …Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them - Mathew 7:20

  • machej on 07/06/2013 - 16:44

    MS Australia (http://www.msaustralia.org.au/)
    Pirate Party Australia (http://pirateparty.org.au/) - New party for internet freedom. Donations up to $1500 in a financial year are tax deductible.

  • ahly92 on 07/06/2013 - 16:45
    +1

    is this 'donation'to reduce ur tax?…just kidding ;)

    • machej on 07/06/2013 - 16:46

      I think that is part of the idea as it mentions Australian charities. In any case it's still a win. :D

      • [Deactivated] on 07/06/2013 - 16:48

        +1

    • scotty on 07/06/2013 - 17:37
      +4

      That's the whole point of mentioning End of Financial Year… Which one do you prefer?

      A. Charities in Australia get the $10,000 fund, or
      B. Taxman gets $3,000 and OzBargain retains $7,000, probably payrise for scotty & parties for moderators :)

  • cowiie on 07/06/2013 - 16:49

    Woooooo! Easy way to give $10 to charity!

  • ukmark on 07/06/2013 - 17:07
    +3

    Nice to be a member of such a socially responsible community. Once again, congrats Scotty and the team.

    I would like to see the money go to:

    Children's Cancer Institute Australia

    Ronald McDonald House

    Or any charity that helps sick kids.

    • Claggs on 09/06/2013 - 18:20

      +$10!

  • sama on 07/06/2013 - 17:17

    Add another $10 Scotty ;)

    I think Salvation Army is my choice this year. Much of the work they do is low key but greatly important, and if you ever see them in New York at Christmas, you know how jolly they can be!

  • Paul Atreides on 07/06/2013 - 17:26

    another tin dollar

    • ahly92 on 07/06/2013 - 18:18

      ?

  • drus24 on 07/06/2013 - 17:34

    Fred Hallows derp

    • gofer on 08/06/2013 - 00:07

      I agree

  • mls82 on 07/06/2013 - 17:43

    When I was a teenager I did a fundraising run for Canteen and they have been my main charity ever since. Having said this, all of the previously mentioned charities look worthy.

    For those of you mentioning tax deductions from charitable donations, I hope you're aware that the benefit doesn't match the donation. Wherever OzB's money ends up, I applaud your efforts Scotty.

    https://www.canteen.org.au/default.asp?menuid=17

  • micromanage on 07/06/2013 - 17:50

    Keep up the good work guys

  • fredscool on 07/06/2013 - 17:58

    +1 for red cross where people could save 3 lives every time they donate blood

    • ltpgman on 07/06/2013 - 20:26

      Red cross as well.

      • dealman on 09/06/2013 - 08:56
        -3

        I loved red cross, till they got involved big time in the illegal arrivals economic refugee business.

  • bod311 on 07/06/2013 - 18:01

    Excellent initiative

  • 51ngh on 07/06/2013 - 18:07

    Where does OzBargain get this sort of money from ?
    Advertising seems to be a lucrative business !

    • machej on 07/06/2013 - 18:16

      Yep and affiliate networks. Then again the hosting costs would be huge.

  • 51ngh on 07/06/2013 - 18:10
    +3

    My above comment was worth $10 :)
    Sadly, this one is worth nothing :(

  • elcheapo on 07/06/2013 - 18:13

    Good job Scotty

  • dowanted on 07/06/2013 - 18:21

    Great work!

  • Wormetti on 07/06/2013 - 18:37

    Is there any charity researching immortality? :P

  • King Steuart on 07/06/2013 - 18:45

    I swear I've only posted in this thread once.

  • zelda707 on 07/06/2013 - 18:50
    +1

    i'm not sure if it's been mentioned but maybe meals on wheels?

  • adam on 07/06/2013 - 18:55

    Salvation Army has my vote Scotty.

  • [Deactivated] on 07/06/2013 - 19:22

    +1 unique commenter.

    • zvyx on 07/06/2013 - 21:35
      +1

      I was going to suggest ALNF's Wall of Hands https://wallofhands.com.au/ but anything for Indigenous communities would be wonderful. I think that many don't realise the vast discrepancy in health and education present within Indigenous communities versus the entirety of Australia; work begins in our backyards first.

  • iSamurai on 07/06/2013 - 19:49

    MS QLD (or your local state). I know they work hard and organise the annual local charity cycling event too. I just thought they're an alternative to the most popular ones mentioned here like the Salvation Army, RSPCA, RFD etc. (who are all equally as great :))

  • SmashedMango on 07/06/2013 - 19:51

    Salvation Army

  • Munificent on 07/06/2013 - 20:06

    just wanted to give my thanks - really nice what you are doing scotty

  • gawky on 07/06/2013 - 20:06

    Easiest $10 give away ever!

  • tom112 on 07/06/2013 - 20:08

    +$10

  • I-like-cheap on 07/06/2013 - 20:09
    +1

    $10 can get you places.

    I'm pretty satisfied with the charities listed so far, can't wait to vote.

    Thanks for your generosity Ozbargain :)

  • Juststingy on 07/06/2013 - 20:10

    I believe in the power of humanity.

  • Ching ching on 07/06/2013 - 20:10

    starlight foundation? I've even done some volunteering work for them. they bring smiles to hospital children's day.

  • ciab on 07/06/2013 - 20:11

    Save the great barrier reef.

    The Australian Marine Conservation Society

  • newfie on 07/06/2013 - 20:12

    The Salvo's can have my $10. Good stuff Scotty.

  • spare13 on 07/06/2013 - 20:22

    Awesome work that you're donating again :)

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