MarBlo 2008 – List #5 – The other side of the coin(s)

So yesterday I talked about all the silly and decadent things I would do with infinite funds, if I couldn’t spend it on anyone else. Today I was going to list all the things I would do if I could spend it on others, but I think I’m going to change it up a bit. It’s my list, my blog, I can do that.

Instead, this is a list of the major categories of charities I would want to fund:

• Animal Rights/No-Kill Shelters
• Senior Rights/Assistance for Victims of Elder Abuse
• Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
• Medical/Disease Research
• Environmental Causes/Conservancy

In other words, pretty much the same types of things I donate to now. But with infinite funds, I could do so much more. And I could quit my job and actively put time into some of these causes, instead of just writing a check. That would be heaven to me.

And I don’t think I’ve ever mentioned my favorite charities but these are the ones I give to every year, no matter what. If I only had $10 left in my account at the end of the year, these organizations would still get it. I either have very strong feelings about their work or as in the case of the medical research organizations, have lost someone very dear to me. I may donate some money here or there to other charities, if asked, but these are my pets.

• Animal Rights/No-Kill Shelters
  • Tazewell AnimalProtective Society
  • Humane Society
• Senior Rights/Assistance for Victims of Elder Abuse
  • Center for Prevention of Abuse
• Assistance for Victims of Domestic Violence/Sexual Assault
  • Center for Prevention of Abuse
• Medical/Disease Research
  • American Cancer Society
  • American Heart Association
  • St. Jude Children’s Research
  • Guide Dog Foundation for the Blind (because I’m probably going to need one someday)
• Environmental Causes/Conservancy
  • National Resources Defense Council
  • The Nature Conservancy

And then, just because funds are unlimited, I would make sure the Fine Arts were funded in every school in the country. Every child would have access to musical instruments and sheet music and dancing shoes, supplies to paint and draw and sculpt, and costumes and lighting and sets and a stage. Igniting the fire of a child’s creativity and inspiring their imaginations and teaching them to appreciate the masterpieces of art are so important.

So what about you? Do you have any favorite charities you like to support with money or time? If you had the means, where would you like your money to go? If you could make one grand gesture, what would it be?