Give Globally

When I do a review for Mom Central, I always disclose any compensation I received in exchange for the review, whether it was a free product or a $20 Amazon gift card, or whatever. (And you should know by now that I give only honest reviews; if I think I'm going to hate something, I generally don't even bother accepting the offer to do the review in the first place. Occasionally I review something that leaves me kind of "meh"—and I say so—but not too often.) Anyhow, the review I recently did for Neosporin came with a $20 gift card, but it wasn't to Amazon, and it wasn't for me. It was to Global Giving, and it allowed me to donate $20 to whatever project I chose from the many hundreds offered.

The Global Giving site is divided up into categories, so you can give to a project in a particular country or to an organization working in a particular "theme" (such as children or the environment). Although it's called "Global" Giving, there are nearly 200 projects right here in the United States, and lately I've been very much in a "think globally, act locally" mode. I ended up choosing to donate the $20 to the Danger-to-Safety Relocation Program for Domestic Violence Survivors. This group provides relocation and reintegration services to women (with or without children) fleeing a domestic violence relationship. 

I think these Global Giving gift cards are a great idea. Wouldn't they make nice stocking stuffers? (Yes, it's February, and yes, I'm Jewish, but it's the first thing that popped into my mind.)

Comments

[Janet]

There is a similar organization called Charity Choice, and every year for Chanukah one of the gifts we get Joshua is a gift card to Charity Choice. He gets to look through a list of charities and pick up to three to donate to. In the process, we discuss what the different charities do and talk about all the need there is in the world. He enjoys it, and I think it's a nice counterpoint to the pile of gifts on the table.

[Elena]

That is a really excellent gift idea! Do you know what percent actually goes to the organization you choose?

[Joan]

Thanks for highlighting GlobalGiving Gift Cards! We're glad you enjoyed using it - it's great to get this feedback. To answer Elena's question, a minimum of 85% of the donation/gift card amount goes to the project organization; GlobalGiving retains 15% to help source, vet, and promote the projects (and cover credit card fees). The donor can opt to cover the 15%, in which case 100% goes to the project.

Thanks again for the shout out and for helping get the word out!

joan @ globalgiving

[Elena]

Wow, I get to "talk" to the coolest people here at Verbatim! Thanks for the info.