Thanks goes out to Matt for another great suggestion. Thanks Matt!
This time its Small Can Be Big, an organization that takes 100% of every donation and applies it to a specific expense or urgent bill to help a family in need and keep them from homelessness.
They do a way better job of explaining the process on this page. But the gist is:

This is where you come in. When you lend your support to a family in need – whether it’s $3 or $300 – 100% of every penny you give goes directly toward addressing a specific family need. No middlemen. No hidden costs. No time wasted. Just an uplifting, tax-deductible gift that goes to a landlord, utility company or hospital awaiting payment.

This falls in line directly with the model of Skip a Lunch. Small donations that in masse can create change, help, or hope. Please check it out and in their words, “Help more directly, more personally, more locally, more shared.”

We’re featured in the list of 100 incredible philanthropy blogs under the “Individual Ways to Make a Difference” category (we’re number 21 in the list). Thanks Amber for the head’s up!

View the list here:
http://www.bible-college.net/index.php/100-incredible-philanthropy-blogs/

In 2007, Idol Gives Back, produced by the folks who bring viewers American Idol, brought in more than $75 million in charitable donations; in 2008, the amount raised exceeded that. A June 2008 New York Times article described the way in which individuals—particularly children and teens—were finding that the opportunity to donate $10 mosquito nets to protect African children from malaria was making charity “cool.” But it’s not always easy for people of various ages and backgrounds to make intelligent decisions about donating their time, talents, services, and goods, as well as money and assets, to meet their own giving goals while helping not-for-profit organizations achieve their visions. Add on the concern for avoiding scams and pitfalls and possible unhappy consequences caused by their good intentions, and it’s enough for people to keep their donations to themselves.

In The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Giving Back, readers learn to donate wisely by learning how not-for-profits work and donations are utilized, and the best ways to match their personal ideals, values, and giving goals with a group or cause that’s meaningful for them.

The book covers:

•The not-for-profit landscape—how to read an annual report, decipher tax forms, and the issue of paying for overhead
•Deciding what matters and translating priorities into giving back
•Giving back later—charitable bequests and charitable trusts
•Handling telephone solicitations and detecting scams
•What to do if you’ve been the victim of “charity fraud”
•New trends in giving—philanthropreneurship, giving with a willingness to tackle social problems, and addressing the unintended negative consequences of well-intended actions that cause problems for not-for-profits and the people they serve

About the Author:
Elizabeth Ziemba, J.D., MPH, who holds dual degrees in law and international public health, has spent the past five years as the founder and president of the not-for-profit organization SHARED, which is dedicated to improving access to medicines in developing countries. Ziemba has firsthand knowledge and experience of the world of not-for-profits and donations. With a keen understanding of how not-for-profits function and the impact donations have on operations, she has worked with individuals, businesses, foundations, and other not-for-profits that have donated time, services, and goods as well as cash and grants. Each donation has a generally positive but sometimes negative impact on the organization. Educating the donors and general public about donations is a part of her every day job description.

Ziemba’s training and experience as an attorney provide the knowledge required to navigate the complex regulatory world of not-for-profits, including the environment in which they must operate as well as the tax implications for donors. Her skill as an attorney enables her to translate complex legal issues for lay persons in a practical and clear way to foster informed decision-making.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Giving Back
ISBN: 9781592578948, July 2009, $14.95
Author: Elizabeth Ziemba, J.D., MPH

For a review copy or to arrange an interview with the author, please contact Wilks Communications at patty@wilkspr.com, or 708-434-5006.

View more Complete Idiot’s Guide titles at http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/cig/pdf/Alpha_2008Q4_Newsletter.pdf

On August 16th, Fresh Air Fund will be hosting their NYC Half-Marathon. Last year the NYC Half-Marathon was a huge success, raising $125,000 which goes to programs for NYC children.

Learn more here.

Since 1877, The Fresh Air Fund, a not-for-profit agency, has provided free summer experiences in the country to more than 1.7 million New York City children from disadvantaged communities. Each year, thousands of children visit volunteer host families in 13 states and Canada through the Friendly Town Program or attend Fresh Air Fund camps.

Hi folks, thanks to Laurie for letting us know about Post Foods “Bowls of Hope” program. Post Foods, in partnership with Feeding America, will donate up to 15 million balanced breakfasts to struggling Americans. For each purchase of a specially-marked cereal — including Post Shredded Wheat Original, Post Shredded Wheat Spoon Size Original, Post Shredded Wheat and Bran, Post Shredded Wheat Lightly Frosted, and Post Shredded Wheat Honey Nut — Post Foods will donate one balanced breakfast.

Get more info at the Post Shredded Wheat website (turn off pop-up blockers).

I received a thank you card today for a monetary donation I made to the Ohi`a Domestic Violence Shelter this past Christmas. Our company was trying to raise enough money to build them a kids playground at their facilities.

For those that don’t know about it, the shelter:

offers a safe and confidential facility for women and their children who can no longer remain in their homes because of domestic violence. 

I hope this year we can do more to assist them as its a cause worth supporting. Contact me if you would like more info or a contact person at the shelter, thanks!

Just got an email from Cindy, the Director of Volunteer and Corporate Relations at the Special Olympics Hawaii. This Friday is the “Freezin’ for a Reason” event where celebrities take a plunge into a pool of icy water to raise money for the organization. It starts early, at 6 am! Brr…

Some notable plungernauts include Sam Choy, Leland Kim, Minna Sugimoto (KHNL), and Amber Lynn Hyden (KITV). It’ll be at Sam Choy’s Breakfast, Lunch and Crab Restaurant (580 N. Nimitz Highway).

Cindy needs volunteers to help behind the scenes. If anyone has time please send an email to me at blog@skipalunch.com and I’ll send you her contact info or contact them directly at volunteers@specialolympicshawaii.org. I’m both an annual donor as well as a past volunteer. I was a timer for one of the relays a few years back and it was a blast. Has anyone else helped out at the Special Olympics? Leave a comment, I’d love to hear about your experiences, thanks!