Is Samaritan's Purse a legitimate organization?

Question

Where could I find out information on charities which are legitimate or which one's are not?

Answer 1

Yes it is legitimate. Samaritan's Purse is a great organization. They continue to work in 3 sites in the gulf post-Katrina helping people rebuild. They are still involved in Tsunami relief in Indonesia and have provided hundreds of houses there and in Sri Lanka as well as clean water systems, generators, medical help and more. They have worked in Sudan since the mid 90's and established and still run one of the biggest hospitals in the country.

You can check them and other non-profits/NGOs out at sites like Charity Navigator: http://www.charitynavigator.org/ .

Right now on their website you can see their Christmas Catalog where you can give a gift that will help someone like a goat to family that could really use it for sustainability or clean water projects. We've done this in honor of family members instead of the ususal Christmas excess. You can also do this in memory of someone. Check it out.

Samaritan's Purse is a Christian organization and is up front about that. They help anyone who needs it with no strings attached. Often they are asked, 'why are you doing this?', 'why are you helping me?'. The answer is that they do all of their work in Christ's name. Christ called believers to take care of the widow and orphans and to spread the good news of the Gospel of Christ. He also said that anyone who helps 'the least of these', does so unto me.

Samaritan's Purse brings relief to anyone who needs it, and they bring the Gospel. There are those who criticize this and want to downplay the relief work because of it. However, the quality of their work is excellent and the UN, USAID, and many foreign governments acknowledge this. Also, they have what they believe is the best news...the Good News of the Gospel...about how we can be reconciled to God because of Christ's work on the Cross...why would they keep this to themselves. Wouldn't that be the ultimate in selfishness?

Currently they are working in over 100 countries.

Answer 2

It is a very legit organization. I believe it is run by the son of Billy Gramm but I could be mistaken. Anyway our church is involved with there Operation Christmas Child.