My Nonprofit Reviews

I have been a donor for many years to Modest Needs. Individuals and families one step away from potential financial disaster and possible homelessness are vetted and given a grant to get them back on their feet. This is a very personal way to donate; you see the photos and hear the stories of folks who have had a big set back due to unemployment, illness, unexpected car repairs, and such. Each recipient writes a personal thank you note which you receive via email. During the past several years, Modest Needs did a study of those funded, and those not funded, and found that these one-time grants were very effective in preventing homelessness. The incidence of homelessness was much higher among those whose applications were not successfully funded. I highly recommend this charity, and it has a 4-star rating (the highest) on Charity Navigator!

I have donated for many years to Modest Needs Foundation. It fills an important gap for working families facing a major, unexpected financial crisis that could plunge them into poverty. Applicants are vetted, and you read their stories and see their photographs. A thank you email note arrives when funding is completed. This is very personal and meaningful giving, and you know exactly where your money is going. Modest Needs also commissioned a study to see whether their grants to families do, indeed, prevent a slide into poverty, and the results were very powerful and reinforcing of the work that this charity does. Highly recommended!

Modest Needs is my favorite charity. It helps individuals and families struggling to avoid a financial crisis, including automobile repossession, loss of housing, loss of utilities, and lack of medical care, from sinking into poverty, job loss, and homelessness. It is very straightforward, and you are donating person-to-person, understanding what the need is and hearing afterwards through thank you emails what you have helped these struggling families avoid. The funds go directly to the vendor for the unexpected expense that the family cannot pay and help stop the spiral of desperation into poverty. Individuals and families requesting assistance are vetted, and the funds are targeted at working families facing a crisis and returning military and veterans. A very worthwhile charity, and very personal giving.

I was a professional child psychologist so am interested in charities that work with abused and neglected children, as this was part of my work experience. I found Children's Advocacy Center on Charity Navigator and sent an email expressing interest in their work. A couple of staff members gave me a personal tour and explained their mission. I was very impressed with the clinical work being done, and, in fact, after my visit made sure to include CAC in my estate planning so that they would receive a contribution when I die. We need the best services possible for children who have been abused, and CAC is providing those.

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Modest Needs is my favorite charity, and I have a monthly automatic donation applied. Needless to say, I was concerned when I saw the "Donor Advisory" recently posted. I immediately emailed the Director of Modest Needs, Dr. Keith Taylor, and within an hour had a very detailed explanation of the circumstances and the perspective of his organization about the issues raised. There were follow up emails, as well, to myself and the other member of this household, who also has a monthly automatic donation. The advisory posted by Charity Navigator does not tell the full story, and if you have concerns, do not hesitate to contact Dr. Taylor and receive a very reassuring and detailed response. Both members of this household are continuing our monthly automatic contributions without concern about any possible impropriety. This is a wonderful charity that directly touches and improves the lives of many working Americans.

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I have an automatic monthly donation going to Modest Needs Foundation because I feel that it is an invaluable asset to those in need. Working folks facing a crisis that might result in homelessness, unemployment, or bankruptcy can apply for a donation to cover an extraordinary, unexpected debt. The recipients are vetted, and the money goes directly to the vendor to pay the debt--a medical or car repair bill, for example. You receive an email when the recipient is funded, and a thank you email from the recipient as well. If you want to impact individuals in need very directly and help working Americans avoid a catastrophe in their lives--this is the charity for you. I love this charity, as it is a very transparent organization, so you know exactly where your money is going.

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DonorsChoose is one of my favorite charities. I have contributed to 90 projects over the past 4 years. This is up-close-and-personal giving. You pick a classroom based on your subject interest, geographical locale, or grade level. You hear from the teacher twice, once when the project is funded, and again when the project is completed. If you give $100 or are the final person to complete the funding, regardless of what amount you have donated, you get a packet of thank you letters in the mail; the students thank you and draw lovely pictures, and sometimes the teacher adds a letter, too. You can communicate with the teacher on the web site and compliment the students on their good drawings and thank you letters, too! If you want a nice present for someone, make a donation in that person's name. The chosen person will receive the thank you emails and packet of student thank you notes (if you qualify for those). I have had a lot of folks thank me for giving in their name--for birthdays, Christmas, in honor of someone passing, once for a friend about to have a stem cell transplant--whatever the occasion. It is a lot more meaningful than a card or small material present. Many of the projects are from teachers in high poverty schools, and you can make a modest contribution to enhancing the education of those students least likely to have many materials in their classrooms. The photos posted on the web site are great, too; you see the materials and the students enjoying them.

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The Harry Chapin Food Bank of SW Florida has a four star (highest) rating from Charity Navigator, meaning that this food bank effectively uses its funds to feed the poor and needy, rather than spending it on fundraising or organizational costs; this is a great food bank and deserves recognition!

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