Subject: I want to put Trust and Fun into donating to a charity
I am 22 years old, recently graduated, with a dream so big I don't know where to start!
I want to set up a charity that benefits people living in poverty in areas such as South America, Africa etc. by providing food, water and safe building for them. I would like to increase the amount of money people donate to charity to the recommended 1.5% of ones income (World Giving Index 2011). I would like to do this through two aims:
1. Destroy the negative attitude some people have towards donating to charity as they feel they are unsure of where their donation actually goes.
2. Make donating to charity a really enjoyable process.
I would like to know where you would recommend starting? I have pages of research and ideas noted on inspiring charities out there and where I would like to go with my charity. However, I am unsure where to start with setting up a charity that benefits people in foreign countries? How do I set up donating to the people in those countries?
Any help would be greatly appreciated!
Eleanor 
Hi Eleanor,
Would it not perhaps be an idea to invest your time, energy, influence and passion into existing organisations already working to achieve these goals - especially in relation to the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Might also be a good idea to get some solid overseas experience yourself - join VSO, Skillshare International or another reputable organisation and go and explore the complex issues involved in these countries. First hand experience of corruption, gender discrimination, human rights abuses and local banking systems can help to shape realistic expectations in relation to international development. It's also a lot easier to make the contacts once you're in the field than it is trying to do so from home.
To avoid 'reinventing the wheel' as it were, it might help to get involved in existing projects such as the UN, World Bank, DFID - and from there, start to assess where gaps in provision exist. That way you can more effectively tailor your approach to filling them.
All the best with it - look forward to hearing how you get on!
Victoria26 - Could you perhaps give a little more information about the type of voluntary organisation/charity you have in mind? That would help people to give you advice.
Hi nature1989,
We've just launched a new course on setting up a charity created by someone who set up a charity in Africa. It should give you some great insight into the challenges faced when starting up.
I hope it's useful to you, please let us know how you get on.
Good luck.
Tom
