Holding charities to business standards

At the perfect time for Christmas giving, Charity Intelligence Canada, which collects an annual list of non-profit organizations that offer donors "the biggest bang for their buck," has released its 2009 recommendations. Twelve Toronto charities have been chosen. Most are well known, deliver measurable services and have influential supporters. They are: Second Harvest, Fort York Food Bank, Evangel Hall Mission, Salvation Army Gateway, Red Door Family Shelter, Barbra Schlifer Clinic, Pathways to Education, Junior Achievement of Central Ontario, East York Learning Centre, Gateway Linens, Eva's Print Shop, TurnAround Couriers. These charities are doing great work and deserve the recognition they are getting. But so do many small, grassroots voluntary organizations that will never win a Charity Intelligence seal of approval. They change lives in ways that can't easily be measured. They know their clients personally and take the time to listen to them. They don't try to be big, businesslike or competitive. They are doing good for the people who need it. To those who normally "write cheques to unknown charities," Charity Intelligence offers a better option. But to those who have been affected by a charity, know its staff and volunteers, see the good work it does in their community and believe there is nothing wrong with traditional giving. Some charities deliver services efficiently. Others mobilize citizens, strengthen communities, combat indifference and solve problems in ways that defy market analysis.

Having these charities contribute donors is something all people should recognize. They are non-profitable, so you can tell that they really care about people that need basic needs. Kate Bahen, the Charity Alliance should be reawrded because she has created a foundation that will change people's lives forever. She works hard to  make sure the company is well run and it is her goal to ensure it happens. She chose 40 charities out of 40,00 that she thought were the best to be part of the alliance, and she is doing a great job.