Where does the money go? Is it really a smart investment? How much impact does my donation really have?

Those are all really good questions to ask before making a donation to any organization.  You want to know that your hard-earned money is actually making a difference, not lining the pockets of some individual. You can rest assured that I have done my homework and feel that World Vision is a wise investment.  Trust me, I wouldn’t waste my money or time supporting an organzation that I didn’t believe was making the biggest difference with the least amount of money.  Some might say that I’m a tightwad – so if I’m going to donate I expect something positive to happen with it.

In my original post about Team World Vision I talked a little bit about their mission and why we personally support the organization.  You may recall that one of my professors in Grad School had lots of good things to say about the organization and their work, even though he is a Muslim.

What Am I Buying?

In our capitalistic nature many of us want to “purchase” something with our money.  Almost all humanitarian aid organizations now offer catalogs where you can “buy” something for a family overseas.  World Vision is no different and has quite an extensive catalog available.  For $75 you can purchase a goat that will help provide a family with needed milk and maybe even a revenue source. World Vision works hard to meet the immediate and urgent needs of families while also providing a long term solution to their problems.

A gift of $40 provides a fishing kit, which gives them a fishing pole, fishing net, and the tackle and training needed to catch fish.  The fish can be eaten or sold at market.  A small gift of $40 can provide a life-sustaining income stream for a starving family. Money well spent.

If we reach the goal of raising $2,000 we could fund an entire farmyard of animals for a group of families, which includes “two sheep, two cows, two goats, two pigs, and 20 chickens.” There are many different ways to split up the $2,000. The official Team World Vision website describes where all funds raised are actually directed:

Funds raised by Team World Vision athletes will support children and families in need around the world.

World Vision works with communities to help provide them with the things they need to become self-sustaining. That includes things like clean water, nutritious food, education, medical care, and economic opportunity.

Financial Accountability

At right you can see a chart from World Vision’s recent financial data. 86% of their resources are dedicated to changing the lives of men, women, and children around the world.  That is higher than the industry standard and is quite impressive for an organization of its size.

Team World Vision

Team World Vision is a fund raising arm of the organization which uses ordinary people like me, to get ordinary people like you involved in ending poverty and injustice across the world. I have decided to commit the 26.2 miles of my first marathon to the memory of and in honor of the children I have met during my international travels. I can’t remember all of their names, but I have many pictures and stories.

On the right side of my blog there is a widget that will allow you to support me during this race or you can visit this secure page. I have set a goal of raising $2,000 which will help children have a chance at living to become adults across Africa.

[tags]  World Vision, Team World Vision, Africa [/tags]