Planet Aid

Planet Aid is a non-profit organization that collects and sells donated clothing and shoes to support sustainable development in impoverished communities around the world. Since 1997, Planet Aid reports it has given more than $60 million in support of over 60 projects in 15 countries.^{[citation needed]}

Planet Aid collection box, Dexter, Michigan

On its website, Planet Aid claims to "fund programs serving the people of Sub-Saharan Africa, Latin America, and Asia." Such programs are said to include community development, health, agricultural development, vocational training as well as teacher training for rural areas of the developing world.

The charity reports that it is making helping others easy and accessible by using donated clothing and shoes to drive economic development and to eliminate poverty in developing nations.^{[citation needed]}

Planet Aid also says it helps to protect the environment by recycling used clothing and shoes, which saves landfill space and reduces the emission of greenhouse gases.^{[citation needed]}

Planet Aid further claims it is committed to building capacity by funding sustainable community development projects that address education, food security, health, hygiene, and the HIV/AIDS epidemic.^{[citation needed]}

However, groups such as the Better Business Bureau (BBB) have criticized Planet Aid, saying that it doesn't give enough to charity (see "Criticisms").

Planet Aid has drawn further criticism from numerous media sources that have linked the charity to a controversial organization from Denmark (see "Criticisms").

Planet Aid says it has placed over 13,000 yellow clothes collection boxes in 20 states across the US, and that it works to create partnerships with businesses, schools and other organizations on state and local levels to help them collect used clothing for their organization.

Planet Aid has regional offices located in the following areas:

• Northern New England
• Southern New England
• Upstate NY
• New Jersey/New York
• Philadelphia, PA
• Pittsburgh, PA
• Baltimore–Washington Metropolitan Area
• North Carolina
• Cleveland, OH
• Columbus, OH
• Detroit, MI
• Kansas City, MO
• Los Angeles, CA

Nationally and internationally, Planet Aid is a member of the following organizations:

• The International Humana People to People Movement
• Global Health Council^{[citation needed]}
• Alliance for Global Food Security^{[citation needed]}
• Aid for Africa^{[citation needed]}
• InterAction^{[citation needed]}

Planet Aid is listed as a private charitable organization under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Tax ID# 04-3348171

Criticism

Planet Aid has received unfavorable ratings from the American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) as well as the Better Business Bureau (BBB), both of which claim, among other things, that Planet Aid's charitable program spending ratio is far too low. The AIP has given the organization an "F" grade, saying that it gives only 34% of funds raised to charity.

Patricia Rose, BBB president, has said of Planet Aid, "Better Business Bureau wanted consumers to be aware that their clothing and monetary donations are not being used to support local families, but rather are being sent overseas." Rose further stated that "Your BBB also questions how [Planet Aid] is spending consumer donations. This organization has not met the twenty BBB Standards for Charitable Accountability."

In the United States, several news investigations have claimed that Planet Aid is linked to a controversial education and humanitarian organization from Denmark — called the Teachers Group or Tvind — that many consider to be a cult.

In Denmark, Tvind leaders have been prosecuted for serious financial crimes, with two convictions in separate trials, in 2006 and 2009 respectively.

Planet Aid is said to have received tens of millions of dollars in grants from the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) since 2004. However, The Copenhagen Post reported in 2009 that the USDA was taking a closer look at Planet Aid and the grants it has received.

External links

• Planet Aid website

Criticism

• Tvind Alert (page on Planet Aid)