It depends on the context. I live in an area where there is not much visible poverty, so when I do see someone panhandling I usually give a small amount to them. If I am looking to actually donate money, however, I am more likely to donate to organizations. I base my decision to donate on how I know my money will be used. I would not be very likely to donate to the WWF, even though I support their cause, because I don't have a clear idea of how my money will be spent. Conversely, I donated money to IDE for the purpose of distributing water pumps to subsistence farmers in developing nations. http://www.ideorg.org/OurTechnologies/TreadlePump.aspx I chose their organization because they do innovative work. I think that aid should work from the ground up, and enable the poor to lift themselves out of poverty. Those pumps enable farmers to grow crops more effectively, and thus turn a greater income. I think building a viable economy is the best way to solve complex issues in developing nations (or even developed ones, really). Thus, I am more likely to donate to organizations that provide aid from the ground up, rather than just throwing money at an issue.