Nonprofits in Massachusetts

I've been working with PMD as a volunteer for over 20 years - doing many different things. PMD's model of providing volunteers to other organizations for an individual project helps a lot of other nonprofits and lets volunteers discover what they enjoy doing.

I have been an adopter, volunteer and donor for many years. The facility is beautiful and the animals are well taken care of. Few shelters around can compare to this wonderful organization.

As a senior case writer and researcher at Harvard’s Global Health Delivery Project, I have had the opportunity to study the strategy and effectiveness of numerous programs operating in resource limited settings around the world. Last year, my work enabled me to get to know Pathfinder International intimately, as I and my team developed a case study of Mukta, one of Pathfinder’s HIV prevention programs in India. Throughout my experience researching the program and working with Pathfinder’s staff there, I came to appreciate the strength of Pathfinder’s human rights framework and its implications for their work on the ground. Mukta works with marginalized female sex workers and men who have sex with men, key populations whose vulnerability to HIV is exacerbated by structural and social factors that create formidable barriers not only to their ability to access HIV prevention and treatment services, but to their day-to-day safety. Pathfinder’s staff united excellent management practices with their human rights framework to build the capacity not only of the local NGOs they deliver services through, but of the communities themselves to set agendas, develop strategies to effect the change they deem most necessary and, ultimately, improve health outcomes. I was consistently impressed by Pathfinder’s commitment to excellence in management and data use practices, as well as their focus on sustainable change both for communities and for the governments who represent them.

Had the pleasure of enjoying performances of this fine group of musicians over the past few years. They have made me aware of music and composers that are new to me.

I am a season subscriber to the Walpole Footlighters. Last week I saw "The Foreigner," a comedy by Larry Shue. It was absolutely outstandinging! It was very funny! The actors were superb! The theater is very intimate and comfortable. There is plenty of parking. They perform 3 shows per season, one of which is usually a musical, and I always look forward to each show!

Greetings, <br>I am currently located in Kuwait and have really enjoyed all of the information and activites that I have seen from the MOER Foundation . <br> <br>Their programs especially for Community Development for Youngmen are superb! <br> <br>Best of luck with all of the works !

I work with a non-profit and we raise money by donations. We get overwhelmed by donations, so I use to bring 5 boxes to share with heartstrings until you decided not to do pickups. My non-profit had their sales and you made us deliver to the truck on the same day. It made it difficult to deliver but I put boxes into my handicapped partners car and he would deliver to the truck hoping the driver would unload the boxes. The driver was c ery helpful but I couldn't depend on a handicapped person to do deliveries so I just stopped donating to Hartspring. I just got a donation card for pickup date of Feb 20 and I can't get to Vermont to pack up a donation and I don't trust that you won't pull the no pickup stunt again. You blow it. I won't bring any donation down again.

This organization uses extremely shady tactics and saw the pandemic as the perfect opportunity to take money from people. They looked at this unprecedented event and saw profits over people or science. They strategically waited until the deadline for payment and less than 24 hours later canceled all trips knowing they would not refund the money even though there were no expeditions. They saw a time people would be under extreme financial strain and chose the route of making things worse. Running an organization that way makes me weary of ever going on another expedition with them. My first experience showed me they don’t take safety super seriously but this second experience showed me they flat out do not care about the well being of their participants. The pandemic brought out a lot of true colors for a lot of organizations and Earthwatch took the opportunity to show they truly do not care about science or participants. Only money.

The Brain Aneurysm Foundation is a worthy and helpful organization. I survived a brain aneurysm rupture in 2015, and the BAF have been extremely helpful! I survived a brain aneurysm rupture (4-5 mm) in Sept 2015, ICU, three surgeries, rehab etc. Nearly died 3 times! SURVIVED it all!<br> <br>The hospital asked me to record a video. Here it is (runs 2 mins):<br> <br>https://www.hackensackmeridianhealth.org/neurosciences/neurosciences-patient-stories/<br><br> I highly recommend the Brain Aneurysm Foundation as a top notch non=profit.

At the time I was 19 pregnant and traveled to LSM in Gloversville New York, it was in 1990 and had my daughter in 1991. My experience was less than positive. I am sharing this story years later because I found my voice and I would like to share my experience. I didn't know this platform was here and I am grateful for it, maybe the staff of LSM will find this information useful. <br>The food was donated from a local store we would eat ravioli from a can and day old baked bread no vegetables, the doctor we would go to for checkups was physically rough during examinations and passive aggressive, I had to get a lawyer because the people who worked there wanted me to give up my child to people they chose ( I had a family who was ready to adopt already) they tried all they could to get me to change my mind. When I was in the hospital while I was birthing the woman who was the supervisor of LSM at that time was present at my bedside. I was screaming (I was in a lot of pain and the labor lasted for 38 hours. The woman said to me "I do not know why you are screaming, no one can hear you". I was taken into surgery because I was in labor to long and when I woke up I was in agonizing pain and the nuns did not want to give me pain medication. I was sent home 3 days later on a plane with an infection and my incision started to bleed, I do not even remember much about being on the plane. I do know they wheeled me off of the plane in a wheelchair and my shirt was wet with blood. When I got home I had a 104 fever and my mother called the Dr. after that I cannot remember much else. I was 19 years old eating food I shouldn't have and in a place with a strangers who supposedly had my best interest at heart. There is so much more to the story and I hope LSM has improved how they treat the girls who come to them for help. I believe I am not a sinner for my situation, I was not educated by my parents about sex, I was not educated about life, I was a child having a child.

The NPO is a historical parenting resource. The work they do state to state and Nation-wide is valuable to families and children. They use their resources well, provide many paths to knowledge and truth while providing free resources to states. Their shared parenting report card is a tool used by many different family law reform organizations, like my. <br>NPO is imperative to the systemic changes needed in family law.

I have nothing but good things to say about Community Health Center, their model for care, their mission, their dedication to their community, and their way of doing business. All in all, a great organization!

The core idea of CRY America is to make the change permanent,and this is quite unique than any of existing non-profit organization.The model followed by CRY America is unique in which it states that no organization can be successful without active involvement of local community in the program.Extremely proud to be volunteer of CRY America.

Action Inc. does amazing work. I am constantly impressed by their ability to act with agility to serve the evolving needs of our community. Keep up the good work!

I became involved with this organization in 1994. At the time they had volunteered panhandling for donations on the street. Everyone got a 5 or 10 dollar daily food stipend which was barely enough for one meal. Even back at the site there was very little food. The "training" was a joke and they had us wasting time breaking up rocks that they said would be used for grass which never happened. It was one of the strangest experiences of my life. I left during the fundraising phase and the recruiter at the time kept calling me wanting me to return. Run for your life from this one, there are much better organizations worth your time!

They moved there tax filing from NY to Mass to avoid full financial dis-closer to the public and a required audit.

How a Brain Tumor Changed My Life<br>www.braintumor.org<br><br>In 2010 my world was turned upside down when I was diagnosed with a nearly fist sized meningioma brain tumor. For months, I experienced strange aversions to smells, and had bizarre out of body sensations. My gut was screaming at me 'you have a brain tumor'. Unfortunately, an MRI would ultimately prove my suspicions were right. I was referred to Dr. William Curry, a brilliant neurosurgeon at Massachusetts General Hospital. He removed the entire tumor, and I made a full recovery. I am tumor free today, but continue to be monitored in case of a recurrence. <br><br>Originally, I kept my diagnosis, surgery, and recovery mostly private, as I could never imagine going public with my experience. But along the road to recovery, I met two friends that were also battling brain tumors. I now had an opportunity to share what I had learned, felt, and the chance to help other patients feel like they were not alone. Having that feeling that others will never understand what you're going through, and the fear that you'll never feel like yourself again is terrifying. I hoped I could be a source of strength for others that just started their brain tumor journey. Inspired by the National Brain Tumor Society in 2013, my new friends and I started a fundraising team, Three Fine Limes, to raise money for brain tumor research. <br><br>Sadly, our friend, Steven Aitken, lost his battle with brain cancer in 2014. In honor of Steve, Three Fine Limes participated in the Boston Brain Tumor Walk, and this year I have taken our team on the road to the Washington DC Race for Hope. I am heading to Phoenix in a few weeks, to participate in their 5K. Three Fine Limes are taking on brain tumors in three cities for 2015!<br><br>Three Fine Limes also participated in Head to the Hill, the National Brain Tumor Society's lobby day. Advocates from 38 states attended meetings with members of Congress, to discuss needs of the brain tumor community. At the recent inaugural Grey Gala, the NBTS Interim CEO, David Arons said ' We're a society because that's a group that fights for each other'. I cannot think of a more inspiring group of people to be fighting alongside. <br><br>Because of my personal experience, and the other amazing brain tumor survivors I have met along the way, and for the brain tumor patients who fought courageously, but did not win their battle, I donate, participate in events, volunteer, and advocate for the National Brain Tumor Society ( http://braintumor.org ) to ensure that one day a cure for this terrible disease will be found.

I support the UUSC because it responds to national and international disasters by (1) working with organizations on the ground rather than imposing its practices from "outside", and (2) because UUSC stays with the local organizations to continue their work as long as such support is needed.<br>(UUSC deserves 5 stars all right, but doesn't exceed my expectations because I expect a lot and UUSC meets them!)

NAMI Plymouth Area, Inc was founded in 1987 and has offered support and education through the family-to-family sharing that has always been a NAMI standard. The volunteer teachers and facilitators are trained with curriculums that are included on SAMSHA's National registry of evidence-based programs. When a family member was diagnosed with a mental illness, we found the medical and therapeutic care systems confusing and sometimes inappropriate. The NAMI members shared their own successes and some of the approaches and processes that were not self evident. From wandering in the weeds, our family began to find help and hope. I am a family, volunteer and board member in this organization. NAMI volunteers advocate, educate and support.

I started volunteering for The Autism Research Foundation when I was in college because I wanted to understand autism science. TARF's research coordinator, Jerry, walked me through the lab and explained the brain research to me in such a clear, concise way. Even though I wasn't a scientist, I felt like I could have a conversation with Jerry. He taught me how to explain the autism research to families, professionals, and other students like me. It was an invaluable experience that I now share with the new volunteers and families we help! Through Jerry, TARF demonstrated a commitment to making autism approachable and interesting, which makes me feel confident in helping TARF fundraise for its continued work. I know I will volunteer for as long as I can!

Dear Charity Navigator Subscribers: <br> <br>Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center has demonstrated strong financial performance since beginning implementation of our strategic plan in 2009. Our audited financials show positive cash flow from operations in 2009, 2010 and 2011 and we have no debt. In 2011, annual philanthropic support increased 9% and overall giving grew by 25% when one includes generous early gifts to our capital campaign. Functional expenses on youth programs grew 8%. Earned revenue including our enterprise and professional business lines grew by 25%. General and administrative expenses were 11% of total expenses. <br> <br>It is unfortunate that Charity Navigator’s rating system places enormous weight on “primary revenue growth” and “program expense growth”. Thompson Island’s growth is evaluated over a period going back to 2008, prior to the reorganization and downsizing which resulted in a dramatically more cost effective program model and produced the financial performance noted above. <br> <br>While our reorganization has been a striking success, we lose 20 points for having negative growth compared to 2008. By contrast, from 2010 to 2011, “primary revenue growth” was 12% (excluding capital campaign revenue) and “program expense growth” was 7%. If these growth figures and our other 2011 financial metrics are applied to Charity Navigator’s rating system, Thompson Island earns a 3-star financial rating. <br> <br>William L. Elcock <br>Volunteer Trustee, Treasurer and Chair of the Finance Committee, Thompson Island Outward Bound Education Center. <br>Chief Executive Officer, Batterymarch Financial Management, Inc. <br>wle@batterymarch.com <br>