What are the best non profit (tax deductable) organizations overseas?
Asked by Lindsey M
I'm American and I've been wanting to volunteer in a Third World country doing whatever they need, but I see it costs a pretty penny plus airfare. I've heard non profit organizations were tax deductable. Is this true? If so, does anybody have any recommendations? What % of the money I invest can I count on getting back? I'd like to take that money and do the whole thing over somewhere else next year. Thanks

Best Answer:
Making a donation to a non-profit is not an "investment" of any sort. It's a *gift* to the organization. You give them your money to do with as they see fit. You don't do it in the hopes of making a profit. You can deduct charitable contributions from your income tax, that's true. However, unless your total deductions from all sources add up to more than the standard deduction that the IRS allows you, it doesn't make financial sense to itemize your deductions. For most people, this means that you don't need to bother itemizing unless you have some kind of large deduction to claim, such as home mortgage interest. Don't let this stop you from donating, though. Your time and your money are both valuable to any charity you choose to receive them.