There have been many stories about the significant percentage of donations that are siphoned off to pay the often exorbitant salaries and expenses of well known charities.
My wife and I have been donating through Kiva (kiva.org) for a number of years. Aside from the fact that there is little, if any, siphoning involved, this is not a charity. It’s micro financing, helping small entrepreneurs in many different countries. We can read about all potential borrowers and choose who we feel is the most deserving, then loan as little as $25 to them, along with other lenders, through Kiva.
The borrower repays the loan back into our account and we can re-loan it to someone else. Not only is our money going directly to the recipient, it instills pride and independence in them by giving them a helping hand rather than a handout. The process is simple and the rewards substantial.
John SeelandNanoose Bay