Heifer Project International, Inc.

When my children were born in 1999 and 2003 my parents bought an annuity from the Heifer Project. I don't know what they paid for it but both my children get a check for $50.00. This will go on for their whole life.. A wonderful organization.

I will NEVER donate to this organization again. I donated $50 last December and have been INUDATED with direct mail, email, digital ads and PHONE CALLS. The amount of money Heifer International has spent marketing to me - is much, much more than my $50 donation. I have written to their Sr VP of Marketing and Philanthropy - requesting that I be deleted from their database and yet Heifer International contacts me every week in some form of communication. DO NOT DONATE TO THIS COMPANY.

I have been giving money to Heifer International for years. Some years I directed the money to be spent internationally (Llamas, alpacas, chickens, bees). Other years, I directed the money to go to American farmers. In December 2023 I made a $100 donation to American farmers. In March 2024 I received an email from Christy Moore telling me my money was on its way to UGANDA. Alarmed, I reached out to Heifer and explained that my contribution was supposed to go to American farmers. "Jake" responded saying that $100 was being sent to American farmers. Today, 5/30/24, I received another email from Christy Moore: "I have big news: After months of giddy anticipation, preparation and training, a family in Uganda received your gift — and they haven’t stopped celebrating since!" Apparently, my donation did not go to American farmers after all.

I now question whether any donation I previously made ever went where I intended. I will never give another cent to this organization.

They waste way too much of the money I donated trying to get me to increase my donation. They call almost every month.

Unfortunately, Heifer's gifts of cows, goats and sheep contribute to the major cause of tropical deforestation, which is 75% caused by the clearing of land for animal agriculture. This deforestation is accelerating and is leading to the twin crises of climate breakdown and biodiversity extinction, which threatens all life on earth including ourselves. Therefore one really should not give to Heifer until they stop promoting animal agriculture.

I've donated to Heifer for years (and have had a review of it on this site since 2017). I like that they don't give a "hand OUT," but instead a "hand UP" by providing people willing to work hard with the resources needed to be self-sustaining. Being a lifetime city dweller (in St. Louis, Missouri), I can't imagine how hard it is for small-scale farmers to make a decent living for their families, yet many seek out the extra work that the animals and training Heifer provides requires so that they can do even better! Once a family is helped, they practice charity themselves by "Passing on the Gift" they've received from Heifer by giving another family one of their Heifer animal's offspring and help in training the new family.

Several years back, I felt Heifer was sending me too many direct mail appeals. They cut back to what I thought was a reasonable number each year, but (at least in my case) in the past year or so they've drastically reduced their appeals to the point where I was almost only receiving their quarterly World Ark magazine, which included a reply envelope that I'd use to send in a gift by personal check. Now they have informed me that they'll no longer send the magazine, which is regrettable because it kept me informed about their work AND which lately has represented the only "appeal" I receive from them. I don't donate to ANY organization online through their website, and Heifer will be no exception.

I realize the cost of paper, printing and postage has gone up, but I think Heifer is being "penny-wise and pound-foolish" by no longer sending their magazine. In my case, if they still send an occasional appeal I will give, but without receiving the magazine l won't be giving as often (or, in the course of a year) as much.

Although I agree with the mission and methods of this organization, their fundraising methods are heavy handed. I was solicited by a lovely woman outside a business. I wanted to give a one time gift and a small monthly gift. She told me they don’t accept gifts that low. I thought that to be a bit ballsy but agreed to it, planning to discontinue after a few months. I tried to cancel but first couldn’t find a way to do that. So I disputed the charges to my CC. They still did not stop charging. Finally they sent a year-end giving statement with a request to increase my donation. I returned that stub stating that I withdrew my permission for them to withdraw funds from my CC. Still getting charged. I found where I could email them and have just done that. Meanwhile I dispute their charges every month and will continue to do so.

1/2 star. Heifer lately has become a collection "agency" if you will. I discontinued giving because I was out of work for a while. Received a call from them asking for December donation. I said that I must had given to some ministries and other org for the holiday besides Heifer The male caller asked me again for donation and how much im going to give. Then, he's going to send out a mail for the pledge amount. I wonder if this company has CEO. The person on the other line was persistent with short attention span, very focus on collecting money.

If you want to get harassed for the rest of your life, and till the ends of the earth, donate to the Heifer Project. Then ask to be taken off their mailing list. And ask again. And again. and repeat this 25 more times. You will never reach anyone there who will care that you don't want them asking you for money every month or two, for the rest of your life.

I am so happy to be able to donate a small amount to Heifer Project International this year. You can't fault the organization for trying to raise more funds. This year has been very hard for non-profits. Haters need to think about why they are complaining.

A girl showed up at our door and tried to explain what is this organization for, but when she asked my origin, I told her I am from Taiwan, and she immediate responded " we also sponsor to Taiwan and Vietnam... etc, at that point I realized she probably meant "Thailand", after checking their website, Taiwan is not even on their map. If your people don't know what countries you are helping with, please do not send them out for promoting donations, very unprofessional.

We have been donating to Heifer for years. It doesn't matter how many brochures and catalogs you send, we are retired and on a fixed budget, so we send what we can afford. It has always annoyed us at how much is spent on begging for more money. When people donate, can't you put them on a list to hold the mail for a while. We recently made a donation and it feels good to think that we might be helping people but you steal our joy by just asking for more money. And now along with all of the notes asking for more money, we got a letter from some young woman in New Hampshire telling us that she is our personal guide for Heifer. We don't want a guide and we don't want "someone to chat with." ( And why did she have to dress so scantily? ) We want our hard earned money to go to help people, not to pay for brochures and personal guides. If you don't hear from us in the future, it's because we are annoyed at how much money you spend on asking for more money.

Three young girls came to my door, one with tattoos and a nose ring - and wearing her COVID face mask wrong (nose exposed) - and explained the Heifer Intl Charity. I was on my way out to walk my dog, which is the only reason I entertained them - usually I ignore door to door salesmen.
As I agreed to a monthly donation, they took my information and when it came time to enter my credit card information, one of the girls said that they’d let me put in my card information b/c they didn’t want it.
The more unprofessional girl chimed in to joke that she would “do well in jail but the other girls wouldn’t”.
They had made other silly yet appropriate jokes during our talk but this bothered me to no end - for someone representing a charity and taking people’s money, how is that an appropriate thing to say?!
After they left and I finished walking my dog, I had received an email from Heifer with details of my monthly agreement and I decided to cancel, since I was uncomfortable about her comment.
I contacted Heifer support and was told that my information was not in their system yet since I only signed up today and I’d have to wait until early next week (2-3 days) to contact them and cancel.
I gave them a SUB ID Number from the agreement emailed to me and explained that the girls even called someone While they were at my door to verify my identity and confirm the transaction.
The Heifer support apologized and stated that the girls and whomever they called were from a third party company and my agreement hadn’t reached Heifers end yet.
I can’t help but feel like this is such a scam, especially by the people representing their charity.

I know they send out expensive adds, but this is what got my attention in the first place. I like that they give a gift that will keep on giving. As someone who raises livestock myself I try to give animals that are grazers. I stray from chickens that if not given the right calcium feed will not lay and all they can do is eat the bird. I know the most expensive element in raising livestock is feed so I look for economical longevity.

I have been a donor for over ten years. Unlike the comments from many, I an not inundated with donation requests. I think this happens more with new donors. Also, their expenses are less than many international groups, currently running at less than 25 percent. They also fund capital expenses, such as buildings, in separate and specific fund drives. They are neither religious or political, and their programs do what they say they will. Most importantly, they work with the people they help to make lasting changes. Their recipients must earn the help and put in their own efforts and sweat equity to make the programs run. Also, great care is taken to make sure the animals provided are proper for their environment. For example, the have helped areas becoming more desert like to switch to camel meat and milk from beef. They also teach best practices regarding feeding and care of the animals and environmental protection. We do not have a lot to donate, but this is almost the only charity I support because it's mission is to develop long term results in communities across the globe.

I have been donating to this organization since 1994, ever since I personally visited their projects in East Africa. Owning a livestock animal in Africa immediately lifts an entire family out of poverty and into the middle class. I am impressed by how the projects are run, by local community members who determine their own criteria for chosing which family is most deserving of an animal first. That family then must give back to the project the first offspring of that animal, such that the project is self-sustaining and eventually benefits everyone in the community. Not only is there a rise in income (through selling milk, eggs, etc.), the family has improved nutrition, better access to primary education (which costs money), support and education about farm management from others in the project, and pride in having the resources to support themselves.

I have given to Heifer International for a couple of yrs. I would hope that most of my donation goes towards what the charity was intended for - livestock for families to make an income on and then pay forward with a contribution towards someone else in their village. I realize my expectations are high and they do have expenses. I will continue to contribute but would like their non-profit to work on lowering their expenses so that more families are affected by these donations. Please only send a small card and envelope 2x/yr for donations. The complaint of so much solicitation from Heifer International is well warranted and expensive - there goes my donation. If expenses do remain high, then perhaps a change of management is needed. Take a look at other charities that have low expenses - it can be done. Let's get back to the idea and passion of it's originators - thank you!

I thought that I had found a good way to donate. so the first year a bought a goat. Since then I have been inundated with solicitations even though I already am a member. Apparently they have a high paid CEO who thinks this a good way to run this charity. I started this year with a thought of donating a pig, but with each unnecessary solicitation, I am not down to perhaps a flock of chickens, or maybe nothing. Maybe they have too much money and don't care if they waste it. I was also annoyed that donations are switched by them to whatever they want.

I am both a technical professional as well a a farmer managing nearly 50 head of cattle. I have been a supporter of HI's initiatives for several years and fully support their "teach a man to fish" approach by helping to provide solutions to hunger as well as providing resources to help create sustainable agricultural opportunities that help lead to financial improvement. They are committed to providing agricultural resources that can create sustainable and long term solutions. Some may value a crop over an animal, which is fine, but I find the demonizing of leveraging animals for production (meat, wool, eggs, etc) short sighted and ill informed. HI's goal is admirable and is deserving of support.

I don't have much more experience that some of the people with their negative comments on here. Perhaps they receive donations from companies for some of these ideas, like return address labels. But if they didn't send out their brochures, I imagine they would not last long. I know I wouldn't necessarily remember to donate. Furthermore, they aren't giving all these animals to people to eat. No, I'm not donating any rabbits, but I would imagine the goats are for milk and the bees are for many things. Noone's eating the bees. So if you don't want to contribute for these reasons, well, I'm sorry to hear that. I'm going to! People in these countries need a jump start and are willing to work to improve themselves. Sounds like a great mission to support.

I think their idea is great but it seems to me that all the donation money I have given has just been used for glossy mailers. Why send me a glossy, expensive mailer when I already am a contributor? If they would show more wisdom in how they manage their donations I would be much more ready to give in the future.

I have a monthly donation to Heifer But with l the mailing I receive biweekly, I will not be renewing my donations. I believe they are spending far more money on mailing than on the purposes of the donations such as buying animals etc. a dissapointing venture on my part.

I gave a general donation of about 50 dollars at the start of this year. I have since received disgusting amounts of mail from them. I know charities need to ask, but Heifer International brings it to a level that is beyond ridiculous. I receive something from them at least every two weeks, often once a week. It's not just a piece of paper with a return envelope, it's almost always some grandiose bells and whistles envelope with muti-textured cards and glossy fold outs of things like "FOR ONLY 30 DOLLARS YOU CAN GIVE THEM A HIVE OF BEES, FOR 50 DOLLARS YOU CAN GIVE THEM A GAGGLE OF GEESE". I half expect confetti and music on some of the larger envelopes that will appear on random days nowhere near holidays. I'm quite convinced that I'm right on track to making that 50 dollars back via mailed solicitations. I'm not exaggerating, if every envelope and "catalog" I've gotten cost .25 cents, I've been mailed at least 10 dollars. So I suppose my donation has served to solicit 4-5 people, myself included.

I thought the solicitation would die down in a month or two after I gave, it didn't. I even sought out how to remove myself from the actual mailing list, but couldn't find it on their site. So I tried to ignore it, figuring they would cut ties. They are a large charity, surly they have a system of removing non-giving ex-patrons after a few months. Nope, apparently not. The train never slows down and it ever stops. Their mailings kept coming with reckless abandon. I finally had enough and seriously looked into how to remove myself from their mailing. I had to get the information from a totally unrelated website dedicated to helping people get off mailing lists. I googled the email address for this, and it actually is on Heifer's website. It's under their "Privacy Policy" and under the obfuscate question of "How do you contact us regarding your information?" It's nestled in between how you can remain anonymous (which, if you are hell bent on donating to them I IMPLORE you to do, you'll thank me.) and reviewing "your personal information".

It's, by the way: remove@heifer.org; send them your full name, address, phone number (if you gave it, might be a trick to get your number, who knows), and email address you used.

Good luck, because I sent the request a month ago. While it's slowed down, I've received two mails since (three really, but I requested and received the one of the three about two days later. Please also note that three mailings a month is something I consider "slowed down" from them). One was their extravagant multi-paged color glossy Holiday catalog with bees, geese, ewes, chicken, yak, and every other thing bursting at the seams. The other is something simple yet probably a bit more sinister. Every other envelope you can clearly tell is from heifer a mile off, this recent one-the one that got me on here to finally voice my problems with them- is subtle. Only my name and address on the front, with the nonprofit stamp (which tipped me off instantly). On the back, on the top flap is, "Pierre U. Ferrari" in big bold and in smaller normal writing the Heifer International address. Inside is a letter headed only "Pierre U. Ferrari" letter, a "Beat the Tax Deadline" letter, and the only paper to carry the previously omnipresent logo which is the actual contribution paper.

So not only have they seemingly ignored my request and kept sending me stuff, but instead of sending me the over the top overflowing envelopes they are now sending me (and somehow this is more insulting) stealthy, mostly incognito solicitations under the auspices of the CEO.

If you need to give to them (expect your donation to go DIRECTLY into marketing and solicitation), do it anonymously. If you love receiving mail or are very, very lonely (or have an enemy whose mailbox warrants ubiquitous bees, water buffalo, chickens, and water fowl) then giving to them will solve your problems.

Heifer International's goal is to work with communities to end hunger and poverty while caring for the Earth. When I first heard about Heifer International, I read the information, saw the YouTube videos, and participated in a Heifer project at my church. I knew they sponsored projects in the US and abroad. They gave animals to families to improve nutrition and health (such as heifers that provide milk). Part of their program included training for families in animal husbandry before they received the animals. Each family that received animals was expected to "Pass the Gift," or give the first born animal to the next family in need, after training that family in animal husbandry. This all sounds very good and sounds like an organization I could and would willingly support. But I am one of those people who want to know for sure this is what the organization does. So I travelled for 21 day with Heifer International in the Philippines. I met and talked with people in communities with whom Heifer works. I listened to their stories, and I watch the respect they showed to the Heifer workers. I watched the care they gave to their animals and how they taught others to care for the animals, so they would be ready when their animals came to them. And I am here to say that "HEIFER INTERNATIONAL DOES WHAT IT PROFESSES TO DO!" I listened to parents talk about the malnourishment their children suffered before Heifer came into their lives. Parents shared with me how they were able to send their children back to school, because they sold the extra eggs, milk, etc. their family did not use. I guess one farmer truly put it in perspective for me. He said, "If I die, my children will weep. If my water buffalo dies, my children will starve." For me that was the turning point in my relationship with Heifer International. I am now a regular donor and have added Heifer International as a beneficiary in my will. I volunteer for them whenever they need me, working with schools, civic organization, and churches to introduce them to Heifer and / or assist them with their Heifer projects. In my book, HEIFER INTERNATIONAL IS THE REAL THING!

I have been donating to Heifer for several years now. I generally only donate to local charities, but when I first heard of Heifer, I researched them and found that I really agreed with their approach - help each community to become self-sufficient. It is a practical approach that I believe in.

My main complaints/concerns are similar to ones already mentioned. When I make a donation, don't acknowledge it with another appeal for money. Also, reduce the number of appeals. Thankfully, I have not been contacted by phone. That would be a huge issue for me.

I fully plan to continue my modest donations. They help out the poorest people live a better life.

I made a small donation to this organization at Christmastime. Since then, I have received emails, phone calls and heavy, glossy mailers sent first class postage asking for more, more, more. Now, it does not bother me that a charitable organization would be trying to solicit donations, but I feel at this point (only a month after making my donation) that my money has been swallowed up campaigning for me to give more, rather than going to the poor who I intended my donation to help. I will never donate to them again.

I gave to this charity because I respect what they are doing globally. They not only donate an animal to a family in need and train them how to take care if it, they also require that the family donate the first female offspring to another family in need. And then that family must do the same. It's what they call "passing on the gift."

Like a lot of other people have said, my donation left a bad taste in my mouth when the card they sent to say "thank you" also included requests for more money. Saying thank you with your hand out for more is not being thankful at all.

I will say, though, that Heifer is not the only charity that does this. I have donated to Christian Children's Fund, Samaritan's Purse, the American Red Cross, and the ASPCA, and they all do that. It's a real turn-off.

I have donated to Heifer for several years now. And every year, I'm impressed at the good work they've done, and the improvements they've made in their organization.

I would also like to mention that they've been around for sixty years, and have received hugely prestigious awards for the work they do.

I see a lot of one-star reviews here that contain things that are flat-out wrong about the organization (They don't push Christian ideology, for example.) Others involve well-intentioned people who are simply misinformed as to the facts. (Animals are a vital part of a farm's sustainable ecosystem, for example.)

A couple of years ago, I donated to Heifer as a part of a donor matching program. Donate $10, it was matched.

The problem is, they have since spent every dime of the money I donated trying to solicit more. Now, I don't mind the nice Christmas labels and address labels they send each year, but the glossy brochures and mailings I regularly receive far outweigh the very small donation I was able to afford. Further research on this charity has unearthed an unsettling amount of negative feedback. I don't regret my donation, but I won't be bothering again.

I made a small donation to Heifer International last December, writing "one-time donation" on my check. Since then, I have been bombarded with phone calls and mail solicitations for more money. The amount they are spending on the calls and printed materials has long surpassed the amount of money I sent them. I would never give to this organization again, and I have spent time e-mailing and telephoning in order to be removed from their call/mailing lists. Even an assurance that I would be removed from the lists from their customer relations manager has been a farce, since I received yet another solicitation three days ago. Enough is enough! I have reported this company to the BBB with the hopes of getting some action.

I am 81 years old, and Thank God, manage to bear my infirmities and serious physical limitation. My wife and I live on a very modest monthly income which often does not see us all trough the month. We are THANKFUL for what we have and we have long ago decided that that there is NOTHING which approaches the reward of GIVING FROM ONES NEED and not from ones EXCESS. So the 1st $279 we receive each month must go to WORKS such as HEIFER PROJECTS. Our only regret is that we don't have more so we could GIVE MORE. We are BLESSED and we simply CANNOT AFFORD NOT TO GIVE TO SUCH FOR DOING KINDNESSES WHICH WE, PERSONALLY, ARE SIMPLE UNABLE TO DO! THANK THANK YOU, HEIFER, FOR BEING THERE FOR US!
Corpsman---Semper Fi......... Jim

I have donated to Heifer many times in the past.

This year they called & my husband made a pledge over the phone. When the invoice arrived, I paid it within the week. Not surprisingly my check to them cleared the bank within the next two weeks.

Since that time, I have received 3 more invoices reminding me of our pledge & asking me to send in the amount we pledged. I suspect that I'm going to be receiving these letters for the rest of the year if not longer- each one beginning with the line"occasionally a delay may occur in posting new gifts to our system, so please accept my sincerest apology if you have already sent in your gift & our letters crossed in the mail." Right- likely they are just hoping that we've forgotten we sent it in, or that someone else gets the mail & sends in another. It's been months now & I'm officially fed up.

Heifer International is not a "christian based" charity as some have stated. They do NOT try to force any form of religion on the recipients of their gifts. They are concerned with helping people to survive and better themselves by giving them the knowledge and tools to take care of any animal given.

Before a recipient receives an animal Heifer investigates the land and discovers what animal will be able to survive in the prevailing conditions. Also they educate the recipients on how to protect the land from over use by the animal given and how to use the animals by-products (manure, etc) to enrich the earth. Recipients are given all the information and training needed to keep their animal(s) healthy and feed while at the same time not further destroying the land. I believe this is one of the best "direct to the needy" charities around. Knowledge acquired and then shared continues on and on. Heifers' goal is to give the poorest people the chance to change their lives by giving them knowledge along with the gift of an animal.

I tell everyone who wishes to give me something, to give a donation to Heifer International instead. I do not need a card saying they gave in my name...nor do i need a fancy receipt from Heifer when i donate. Charity is charity. Yes, I list them on my taxes but proof comes in the form of credit card statement or sometimes even a canceled check! If the IRS doubts me...no big deal, it is not like i am giving millions.

I have supported Heifer International for a number of years now, however I was somewhat disturbed and disappointed to get a call this past weekend from a paid solicitor trying to get me to make a donation. I don't know the finanacial details, of course, but telephone solicitation is, I bleieve, an expensive way to get donations. I do hope that Heifer Int'l abandons telephone solicitations, as I won't be giving any money that way.

Instead of giving to Heifer International (a Christian-based org), I give to Plan Canada (no I am not Canadian). The difference is that I'm not forcing Christian beliefs on other faiths (mostly Muslim), but I do not get a tax break, nor should anyone expect one. That's what "charity" is all about, people. And that's OK with me. At least with Plan Canada I know where my gift is going without forcing Christianity on folks who already have their OWN faith. Go to plancanada.ca/greatgifts. Big NO to Heifer.

My 7 gift cards to be sent to receipients did not include the extra specific message. One was written as if the receipient made the donation to her last name from her first name. There is no email access for answering questions. Telephone personnel was very uninformed. Had to give the complete order twice and was read back the messages and they still did not appear. I will NOT dionate again.

Heifer Foundation locates needy people in needy countries and teaches them how to raise animals AND share them with their neighbors, allowing them to earn enough to pay school fees for their kids and eat better and even, sometimes, afford medical attention. Did I forget something? And Betty's slide shows about the people who are involved in their homes makes the whole deal very real. Thank you Betty.

My sisters and i have donated funds to this organization for several years. We use it as Christmas gifts to each other as we do not need more stuff. I had to write, email, and finally call them to get them to stop sending me solicitations for funds. It was redundant in my case for them to try to convince a donor to donate. Finally I yelled at them on the phone and the solicitations stopped. I still donate and plan on sending a little more this year as one of my sisters went to Kosovo on business and got to eat a meal with a woman and her daughter who had received a cow. As most people know a lot of men were killed in Kosovo and so the women were left to farm on their own. The lady told my sister that the cow literally saved their lives. The milk products and the hope the gift inspired.

I always recommend this charity to others. The objective is to provide a sustainable life, mainly to women and children. I have given since 2003. They produce a magazine that I read from cover to cover about conditions and solutions in various areas of the world. I am a much better educated person about the difficulties in the world due to their information. I then leave the magazine in doctor's offices or my university to pass along the information to others. Since the work is meant to be self sustaining, the impact of my contributions lasts beyond the animal given. I consider it more than a one time gift. That being considered, there is more impact per dollar than a gift of clothing or food. I will continue to donate in the future.

In 1980 I worked as a student in international development in Panama. I met a development worker there who excoriated Heifer International. He said HI's gift of an animal trapped impoverished farmers in a cycle of debt because they could not afford the necessary feed so Heifer gave them a loan for it which they could only pay back by selling the food they produced rather than eating it. A year ago I met someone involved in HI who said they have changed. But I don't have personal experience of that change. It is time to sign up to make monthly contributions to my favorite charities through my employer, the University of Massachusetts, and I want to give to a charity that helps the poorest of the poor help themselves, and HI talks the right talk, but I need to know that it walks the walk, too, and does not draw the poor into a monetary system in which they start out so far behind in the game that it is a harm rather than a help.

After researching Heifer International, it seemed it was a reliable place to use my money to help people. I proceeded to donate money. I felt excited that rather than using money for my own material goods, I'd be helping people in an impoverished part of our planet. I donate to many charities, but this seemed to really get to needy people more directly to help themselves. I envisioned donating money and marking a map to show where my donations where used. I hoped to cover the map with my donations. I didn't want to know a specific person receiving the donation, but rather what country/region where my funds were used. I thought that was a reasonable expectation: Where was my donation used? I asked Heifer International roughly where my donation was used so that I could start marking my map, and continue to donate. What Heifer Internation stated was they couldn't tell me where my funds were used. Furthermore, they didn't even provide me any message (card/email/letter) to provide me of proof that I even had made the donation. They told me to print my own statement from the website. In fact, they seemed surprised I asked. The whole experience left me wondering if indeed they even used my donation to help people? Why couldn't they tell me where my funds were used if it is a honest organization? Just how honest is Heifer International ? Sure they show a few key places in their brochure where donations were used, but shouldn't they have to account for every dollar?

We have donated to Heifer International for many years primarily due to the work that they conduct and the people they serve around the world. Their focus on educating the recipients of the cow, chickens, beehive and more about how to care for their animals, sustain themselves and their families from what they produce (milk, eggs, honey) and then paying forward through generosity of teaching someone else in their village and giving them an offspring to sustain their family -- and on and on -- is a charity grounded in dignity and respect. I've also had the privilege to spend a week at Heifer Ranch in Arkansas to learn beekeeping from Heifer's master beekeeper, Chuck Crimmins. This gave me an opportunity to see, first-hand, the care, dedication and belief the entire Heifer staff and organization embraces in service of others.

I have been donating to Heifer for a number of years now; it is the main charity that I donate to each year. I believe in its mission and its approach. However, the one thing that always causes me pause every year is the ratio of money donated to money that actually gets spent on the program - it is "only" about 73%. The biggest problem I see is that they spend far too much money on fundraising, mostly in the form of about 5 or 6 glossy catalogs I receive each year. I would like NOT to receive this, and just get emails instead, to save the money for the actual program. Unfortunately, there is no way to opt out of not receiving all the mailings. I consider this a problem for the charity.

I am an area volunteer for Heifer International and would like to clear up some misconceptions in a previous post. The original animals Heifer donates to needy families are neither sold nor eaten. They are an opportunity for a family to earn a living through the sale of the products the animals produce such as milk, eggs, honey etc. The first offspring of the animal is passed on to another needy family and so on. I have been to Heifer headquarters (green),in Little Rock, Arkansas to the Heifer Ranch in Perryville, Arkansas, and on a study tour to Armenia and I can assure you every cent that is contributed to Heifer International is well spent. Heifer does not give people an animal and leave them, they are there educating them on the care of the animals, supplying veterianary care and help in producing feed among other services. Heifer is one of the most transparent agencies you will find. I am proud to be a part of this organization that has been around since 1944 and has helped many people become self sufficient and communities come together that once were at odds and they have empowered women and educated girls where otherwise they may not have had that opportunity.

Every year I send this group an email asking them to stop sending me their catalog, and every year i get their catalog in the mail! I am totally against what they do with live animals, treating them like they're nothing but commodities to be bought and sold, sending them to poor people who then often turn around and sell them to get some money because they can't afford to take care of them. Dealing in the animal trade does not seem to me a worthy or realistic charitable endeavor at all, and I'm sick and tired of their ignoring my repeated requests not to bother me with appeals.

I give monthly to Heifers, and while they do have some "office" problems whenever there is a money issue, their work makes them worth my time and money.

In my opinion, it is more beneficial to work on long-term, sustainable means of subsistence so that impoverished people are give a way to earn their living, as opposed to short-term solutions. While it is very important to treat the immediate 'symptoms' of poverty, and I am not impugning those charities in any way, I like that Heifer treats the 'disease' behind the problem.

I know the President makes over $250,000 but this is hardly obscene considering she is running a huge organization at a fraction of what other CEOs would make.

In short, I am a big fan of this charity and would happily recommend it to anyone.

I have long admired the work that Heifer does and was happy to contribute after the Haiti earthquake with funds designated for that effort. I began receiving requests for additional donations immediately. I currently receive solicitations via phone, email and US mail at least once per week. This is far too much time and resources spent on fundraising.

I am a agricultural conservationist by trade and am extremely impressed with the creativity that Heifer uses to tackle hunger, poverty, and the downtrodden plight of women in poverty-stricken regions. They prove that the old adage, "give a man a fish and he eats for a day, teach a man to fish and he eats for a lifetime" is still true. Solving complicated hunger issues through locally driven initiatives offers a hand up with dignity and causes permanent change to occur. If I could give this organization more than 5 stars, I would. I am confident that this organization is a good steward of donor monies. As for the comments about the CEO's salary, I believe that the laborer is worth his/her hire. This person is responsible for piloting a large, multinational organization dependent on donor funding which holds the fate of thousands in its hands. Compare the salary with CEO's of for-profit corporations of similar size for a more accurate reading.

In the past, during the Christmas Season, I have donated animals and agricultural products to my friends and family. Before I donate, I always check the Charity Navigator Website to verify Project Expenses vs. Administration and Fund Raising costs. Your organization meets expectaions in this regard, however the President's salary is too high.

Of all the many organizations working to end extreme poverty that I have studied, Heifer seems to me to have the best combination of pragmatism and idealism. They recognize that the problems they wrestle with are complex and intertwined: how hunger is related to social injustice, war, environmental degradation, gender inequality, ignorance (both here and abroad), and apathy. They manage to fight all of these problems together.



Founded by an extraordinary man--Dan West--after his experience doing relief work in Europe during the Spanish Civil War, this group continues to refine its methods and spread its idea that impoverished people all over the world can solve their own problems--and then go on to help others-- with just a loan of livestock and training, which they then pass on to others.



My own experiences with Heifer have included participating in various fund-raising and public outreach projects, including a joint fundraiser with the African Children's Choir and a recent banquet in California's wine country, projects that are run primarily by grass-roots volunteers--interesting, fun, passionate, wonderful people!



I have also attended two educational weekend seminars, "Heifer University 101" and the more in-depth "Heifer University 201," which were both excellent--very informative and inspiring.



So whether you want to learn more about how to fight poverty and its attendant problems, put your own shoulder to the wheel with active participation, or just send your donation dollars to a group that will spend them well and multiply them, check out heifer.org. This is a great group.

My contact with Heifer Intl. has been brief, and possibly never again. I ordered a llama online, using my PayPal account. About an hour after placing the order I checked PayPal. There I discovered they had made two identical charges. I don't know if I hit the wrong button, or if they are doing something. Immediately I sent an email message that the second charge was a mistake and to please remove it. When no one replied, I phoned a number I found on their website. A man with whom I talked said he would take care of it. Meanwhile, both charges have been made to my credit card linked to the PayPal, and the PayPall account now shows that both items have been paid. I don't know if there is any way to get this corrected, but I do know that I will NEVER do this again. Also, I will tell my story to anyone in the world who will listen as a cautionary tale.

For over 25 years Heifer International has been a major influence on my life. For over 60 years Heifer has been sharing resources and knowlege with limited resource farm families across the world and in the US. I have visited projects in Honduras, Maine, New York City, and Appalachia and met impoverished people whose health, dignity and hope have been restored through Heifer's unique work. I have been blessed with the opportunity to share these stories with schools and congregationa as a heifer volunteer, and to meet international "partners" in Heifer's work. Heifer "invests" donors funds with marginalized men and women who, records show, respond overwhelmingly and "pass on the gifts" they receive to others, thus leading to new levels of selp-sufficiency in small rural villages worldwide.