Dear Anonymouse,

No ivory tower for me I'm afraid, but maybe some rosetinted glasses for your little mousey eyes methinks! You spell out a convincing, nay passionate argument for IG's existence. If you haven't already applied for a role as trustee I think you should.

I often speak to street fundraisers, listen, ask questons and then say no thanks. It brightens up their day the poor things. Over the years I have donated to different causes and charities based on my upbringing and experiences. They then contact me to ask for money to affect some change. then tell me what changes they made. It is how the large majority of people give.

Your examples of charities wasting money are just red top soundbites. Charities waste donors money when they lack evidence and data. They sometimes choose to run projects without having a real understanding of the difference they will make. These projects could be well run and support people/animals but the money could have been better spent elsewhere. Will the IG effectiveness model research ALL of the evidence to see if a charities remit and work is even valid before effective?

Sorry, but I shan't be giving a donation to Oxfam. I am fairly disallusioned with the world of international aid.

Rarry

Rarry, I’m afraid I’m going to have to agree with you that it is rather “strange” that you give when asked (you must be a chugger’s dream come true). I’m sure you work hard for you money and I have no doubt that you are generous but surely you would like to know where your money is going and how it is being spent!

I don’t think that sitting in an ivory tower and waiting for someone to ask your for money is the best way to give. Surely it is better to choose a cause you care about and then research the best way to make a difference. If a charity is not being transparent with how it spends your donation, how can you know whether it is being spent effectively rather than on a world cruise for the director or gold-plated Donkey hooves?

Furthermore, It is not only a matter for personal satisfaction that your donation is going to be spent effectively. If people only donate to efficient and transparent charities this provides a powerful incentive for others become so too. Thus only giving to transparent and effective charities improves the entire charitable sector and thus I believe that there is a moral duty to give in such a way.

If we are being realistic, most people do not have the time to trawl through 100s of annual reports and make informed decisions on whether a charity is being transparent with donations. It is here where IG has it’s place, to do the hard work for us and give us an indication of a charity’s transparency at a glance. IG does this now.

However, though important, a transparent charity is not necessarily an effective charity and so I think it is important for IG to try and cover both bases, even if it will take three years.

Sadly I have to admit that there may be some truth in your comment that “If the only time people were to donate was when they thought "heck, I fancy giving a donation today", then charities would be offering a lot less services.” However, I think this merely strengthens the need for people to be informed about how charities spend donations and encouraged to give proactively.

Just for proof that you do not have to wait three years to make an informed donation. Take a look at this: http://www.intelligentgiving.com/charity/202918

In case you’re not convinced by my arguments. I’m now asking you to donate to Oxfam.

I neither give capriciously nor think that I know everything about the charity sector. I am one of those strange people who gives when they are asked.

This doesn't mean that I only give when I'm asked as I am often asked to give by direct debit as well as in response to letters being sent, e-mails to my inbox and the odd emergency appeal I see on tv. Does this make me ridiculous? I don't thinks so.

And I believe that comment still stands. Adam informs us that IG wish to measure the effectiveness of charities and that will take about 3 years. No I won't stop giving, I will keep on giving because I am asked in an appropriate way and have been given the information so that I understand how my donation will be spent.

If you (anonymouse) think that reviewing an annual review is a good way to decide whether to donate then fine, go ahead. Does that mean that charities will be sending annual reviews out in the post to  ask for donations? I have been supporting charities for years and I haven't been sent one yet. If the only time people were to donate was when they thought "heck, I fancy giving a donation today", then charities would be offering a lot less services.

There are many different motivations that make human beings give. The current drive for "transparency and effectiveness" is great, but if its going to take three years, lets just hope that some people are happy to make a donation without a 50 point review being undertaken by some interns who have a limited understanding of fundraising in the not for profit sector.

Rarry Revan

Quite frankly, that is a ridiculous comment (and an even worse attempt at humour). If you simply give capriciously or simply feel that your knowledge of the third sector is so complete that even a charity's own annual report can't provide you with relevant information, then as my grandma used to say, "more fool you".

Intelligent Giving has not stopped informing you of charities that are transparent with how they spend your money but is merely seeking to refine and improve upon the way this transparency is measured. I think that such activity is vital for IG to carry on providing the service it does (at least from the point of view of someone who cares about what a charity does with their donation)

Well done IG.

Come on Barry continue giving. Nerver mind the statistics. It will do some good in the worls nad better to provide some thing for otyhers than spending it on another meal with your lady.

Until now I haven't consulted an annual review, your website or the others you mention before donating to a charity (which I do often).

Do you think it would be best if I stop my charitable giving for three or so years while you work out which charities will spend my donation effectively?

Rarry