2 great actors and an ocean

The Problem: Ocean conservation

Who: Oceana

Why are they special? Employs scientists, economists and lawyers to promote ocean conservation. Reportedly the largest such organization.

Actors Ted Danson and Sam Waterston are on the board of directors.

Where: Washington, DC

Started: 2001

What the top person makes: $211,903 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report

Link to help: Donate

Deductible? Yes in US


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Pheasant habitat

The Problem: Habitat conservation for pheasants

Who: Pheasants Forever

Why are they special? Claim their "wildlife habitat projects have benefited more than 5.3 million acres across the continent."

Where: St. Paul, Minnesota

Started: 1982

What the top person makes: $193,305 (2009). (By comparision, the executive director of the Sierra Club Foundation makes about $50,000 less.)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report

Link to help: Contribute

Deductible? Not stated


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Worrying About Cancer-- Not Doctor Bills

The Problem: Breast cancer

Who: The Rose

Why are they special? Seek to reduce breast cancer by providing services (more than 70,000 a year) regardless of ability to pay

Where: Houston, Texas

Started: 1986

What the top person makes: $118,652 (2009)

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report

Link to help: Help

Deductible? Not stated (Don't know why more charities don't spell this out)

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Uncle Sam fallen on hard times

The Problem: Inability to live within means

Who: United States government

Why are they special? 307 million call the place home

Where: Washington, DC

Started: 1776

What the top person makes: $400,000

General site: Home

Charity Navigator has not evaluated this charity.

Link to help: Donate

Deductible? Not stated

Image courtesy of vitasamb2001

Remembering where we came from

The Problem: Preserving Italian American culture in the US

Who: Sons of Italy Foundation

Why are they special? Provides grants to organizations preserving and advancing Italian American culture or supporting educational excellence among Italian Americans.

Where: Washington, DC

Started: 1959

What the top person makes: The executive director is not compensated by the charity but makes $73,702 from "affiliates"

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Donate

Deductible? Yes

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Lowest fundraising percentage we've ever seen

The Problem: Feeding the hungry

Who: Table to Table

Why are they special? Rescues prepared and perishable food and distributes free to 50 agencies in 4 New Jersey counties. States in 2009 they supplied enough food for 6,000,000 meals. In 2010 they surpassed 6.5 million meals.

Their fundraising percentage is the lowest we've ever seen in a charity.

Where: Englewood Cliffs, New Jersey

Started: Not stated

What the top person makes: The executive director is not compensated by the charity but makes $106,800 from "affiliates"

General site: Home

Charity Navigator report.

Link to help: Donate

Deductible? Doesn't state


Image courtesy of Sura Nualpradid