Save the Children Federation, Inc.
I wanted to support STC's midwifery training program. I had a list of specific questions about the program that were answered via email by the Acting Associate Director of Operations for the Newborn and Child Survival Campaign. It has been my experience that other charities do not offer such one-on-one communication. When I have a question a representative guides me back to their website.
More feedback...
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Likely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2011
It's simple. If you want to help poverty stricken children, STC is your best bet. forget all those other organizations. STC is by far the most reputable and efficient children charity out there. I dont know where all these negative views are coming from because in the world of charity anyone whose been around long enough has not only heard of Save the Children, but also recognizes it as one of the leading non-profits.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
throughout my travels in central America, Africa, and Southeast Asia I have experienced some of the worst conditions imaginable. wherever Save the Children sets up, they transform the place into a club med (joking). they create these refugee camps which are by themselves small cities. what I really like is how they train locals to help themselves and place a large emphasis on lifestyle change and education.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
focus more on raising public awareness. How many people know that about 20% of the children in the USA are living in poverty.....????
Five members of my family made one-time donations in memory of a loved one two years ago. SInce then we have ALL been inundated with STC mailings and emails despite numerous calls, letters, and emails from each one of us requesting that we be taken off their lists. It is a total waste of money that could be used to help children! It has changed the way I think of STC, and that's a shame.
I could not find an "unsubscribe" link on their website, nor is that an option to check on the printed donor forms. When I emailed (again) last year and requested to be taken off all lists, I got a response back that said I would receive (and I quote) "a reduction in volume of communications from us". That was a first - not "you have been unsubscribed from all communications from us". Reduction in volume? I have personally received 5 mailed solicitations in the last 4 weeks!
All 5 of us have tried repeatedly with no success to be removed.
It has gotten to the point that when any of us receives a solicitation from STC, we send emails to each other with the title "STC again". It has become a bad family joke. But it is really very, very sad when I think of the wasted cost.
I called again a while back and was transferred to someone who said STC gets calls like mine all the time. The person said it was an "executive decision" not to take names off, and also there are numerous non-integrated mailing lists and that's probably why we all get so many mailings. I said I keep sending back the donor form with "remove from all lists" written on it and the person said it won't do any good. I am not revealing gender here because I don't want anyone to get in trouble.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
the unwanted, huge volume of solicitations from STC in spite of our repeated requests to be removed from all lists. Four other members of my family have had this experience too.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
1. put an" unsubscribe" option on the website. 2. When someone calls, writes, or emails and asks to be taken off lists, DO IT! It violates direct marketing practices not to do so, and wastes valuable money that could go to the children. 3. Integrate the mailing lists so one request applies to all lists.
If you need a partner to work with on a project for children in just about any corner of the world, Save is always there. They have a deep bench of smart, dedicate programs people and also some of the nicest people I've ever met. They keep their eyes on the prize, which means always asking the question "what's best for children?"
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
In Haiti, the programs for the kids at the camps were amazing. It was great to see them looking healthy, smiling and learning.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
They can be a bit tentative, likely as a result of being so darn nice. They could so with less consensus building and more decisive leadership.
Clearly a worthwhile organization, and I strongly support the work they do. However, one should use caution if using monthly credit or debit cards to donate to their monthly program, because it can be difficult to discontinue the charges. There is no option to cancel at their Web site, so I mailed a letter asking them to discontinue the monthly charges to my account. Nonetheless, a charge appeared in my account two weeks later. About three weeks after that, I received a letter from them asking me to "update my account information"; they clearly still hadn't processed my cancellation, so I called and gave them a verbal cancellation. A charge AGAIN appeared on my account the following month! I think I finally got it straightened out with a repeat phone call.
One also wonders why they have such an expensive monthly sponsorship program; other charities seem to be grateful for smaller donations.
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Through contacts with sponsored child(ren), and through hearing results of the work they do.
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Offer a monthly sponsorship program that is more budget-friendly. Save the Children already has one of the more expensive ones I've seen, and yet in recent weeks and months I've received requests to increase the amount I donate every month. They should also make it easier to discontinue sponsorship when that becomes necessary. It's already difficult when financial realities dictate that decision; they shouldn't make it even more so.
I worked for SAVE and while it is better than many organizations such as World Vision they are not good at providing the professionals needed to design a project or program. Often bad projects especially in education are developed. That is because professionals do not write the projects and they are destined to fail. Project managers are told to write positive reports anyway which I did many times. Corruption happens because their projects are not well managed or supervised. I could have easily walked away with the money for my project because there was no spot checking to see if I was doing what I was supposed to be doing. I met some of my colleages in the field who were doing just that. I saw other projects which were definitely irresponsible. This is in a former soviet country. I will not divulge the country. The project managers I met were also not of a very high quality.
I
The Great!
I've personally experienced the results of this organization in...
Former Soviet Country
Ways to make it better...
If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
Hire people with better expertise, check for possible corruption within the office who are responsible for recommending the people who are getting the projects and have all projects and materials written in english to make sure someone in the home office knows what the project is about. Lastly, do surprise visits.
This organisation has been incredible. Although I have only been a supporting member (Global Neighbour) for 4 years, I have had a keen interest in their work for over 10 years now. Children really are the future, and ensuring children's rights, healthcare and education seems to always be at the forefront of what Save The Children do. I applaud everything they do.
Photos
More feedback...
What I've enjoyed the most about my experience with this nonprofit is...
That they keep me up-to-date with information on where my money is going and the work they are doing. I honestly feel like part of the team, not just a registered supporter.
The kinds of staff and volunteers that I met were...
Kind and genuinely interested in the charity - not a third-party company.
If this organization had 10 million bucks, it could...
Seriously expand it's operations in developing countries. I wish I could be the person to write that cheque.
How frequently have you been involved with the organization?
About every month
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2010