My Nonprofit Reviews
CCMB
Review for Fistula Foundation, San Jose, CA, USA
A few years ago, I happened across the film "A Walk to Beautiful" having absolutely no idea of what it was about. I consider myself relatively well-informed but I had no knowledge of obstretric fistula before seeing the film. I was shocked and saddened that such a preventable condition, long gone from the US, was robbing women in developing nations of their livelihoods, social support systems and physical well-being. I like the idea of directly funding surgeries for affected women. I have been a donor ever since seeing the film and am so glad I can play a small part in giving some of these unfortunate women their health and lives back. I typically donate on-line but, when I've needed help from a Fistula Foundation staff member or had questions about their programs, I have always been assisted promptly and effectively. I plan to continue my support indefinitely and give even more, when I am able.
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Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2015
Review for Prairie Biotic Research Inc, Madison, WI, USA
.I recently retired after a quarter century in administration in an engineering research center at a large research university. In the last 10 years or so, my primary work was in assisting faculty to prepare and submit research grant proposals to federal agencies such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST), and Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), as well as to state governments. As far as I could tell, agencies such as these have no place, and no funding, for small research projects outside of the university mainstream. (Our unit was applying for grants of $100 thousand to $20 million.)
When I first learned about Prairie Biotic a couple of years ago, I saw that the organization was filling a specialized and essential niche -- providing small grants to researchers studying any aspect of our vanishing prairies, special places and their flora and fauna which were so integral to our history and which contribute to, and reflect, the state of health of our planet.
Just this past week, I received the funding report for the last cycle of grants made. I was very impressed with the variety of topics funded and the demographics of the researchers, from individuals unaffiliated with large institutions, to young faculty, post-doctoral scholars, graduate students, undergraduates, a high school student, and a high-school teacher and his students!
As I understand it, all the time for organizing and administering the proposal solicitations and reviews as well as ongoing grant administration is given on a volunteer basis and expenses are kept to the bare minimum. It proves that a small group of dedicated people can made a big impact.
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If I had to make changes to this organization, I would...
I can't think of any changes to suggest
Was your donation impactful?
Definitely
How likely is it that you would recommend that a friend donate to this group?
Definitely
How likely are you to donate to this group again?
Definitely
When was your last experience with this nonprofit?
2014
