Home › Philanthropic Brokerage › Blog

List of Charities - The Holiday Dilemma - Giving Locally or Globally

Posted December 21st, 2010 by Gena Rotstein

The latest issue of Karma & Cents I share some thoughts around local support and international support.  At the end of the day, the questions that should be asked are the same for both local and overseas philanthropy.  In addition to these questions, below is the 2010 list of reviewed and recommended charities.

  1. What is the track-record of the organization?
  2. How are they being held accountable (either by myself as the donor, or by some other third party)?
  3. How are they measuring impact and reporting that back to you?
  4. What are the costs for solving the issue... really?
  5. Is the board of directors actively engaged either at a strategy level or at an operations level (this also speaks to the "sophistication" of the organization and how well equipped they are at solving the identified problem)?

I want to share with you the organizations that were recommended to Dexterity Consulting clients this year.  Due to the nature of our philanthropic brokerage firm we do not always know when or if donations are transferred after we have made the recommendations.  If you are deciding where to donate to before the end of the year, here is our list of charities for 2010:

Medical

  • ALS 
  • Prostate Canada Cancer Network
  • Hospice Calgary
  • Wellspring
  • Art a la Carte

Domestic Violence

  • HomeFront
  • Peer Support Services for Abused Women

Women's Organizations

  • Canadian Women's Foundation

Youth Organizations & Social Services

  • Safe Haven Foundation
  • Big Brothers Big Sisters
  • Kids Help Phone
  • Scouts Canada
  • Boys & Girls Clubs
  • Their Opportunity
  • The Doorway

Homelessness and Other Social Services

  • Inn from the Cold
  • Calgary Homeless Foundation
  • CUPS - Rapid Exit

International Development

  • Mary Tidlund Foundation
  • Kado
  • CAWST
  • Results (Canada)

Environment

  • Pembina Institute 
  • Yellowstone to Yukon
  • Cross Conservation Area

Arts & Culture

  • Virginia Museum of Fine Arts
  • Calgary Arts Development Association

Donations can be made through our new charities portal - Place2Give.  It is in its Beta version and feedback is most welcome.