I'm starting a list of charities for people who might be interested in giving back during or after their travels. I cant think of a better way to get to know the people and the culture than to reach in and help. Send them money, sure, but contact them when you plan your trip to see if there or other ways you can assist while you are in their country.
Turkey: This thread started when I suggested those who were nervous about packing their laptops in their luggage as required now from 10 airports when flying direct to the US, might want to donate the computers instead. I don't know anything about this group, but I read about how the children were fund raising to buy a computer and it seemed like the idea is viable, if not with these people then with another group: https://www.turkeyvolunteers.org/
Ukraine: United Ukrainian American Relief Committee, Inc. http://www.uuarc.org/our-programs/ From the elderly, to children to education, to those suffering from the results of regional conflicts. This US organization does it all. One of thing that might be attractive is that many of their programs put you in touch with the recipients so you can get to know them, and you can direct your contributiins to specific programs. Sign up before you travel and then stop and meet them while you are there.
Former Soviet Union and Israel: http://www.ifcj.org/ Helps Elderly and impoverished Jews. Also helps to bring them into Israel. They run a lot of advertising around Christmas and its heart breaking to see how some people are forced to live. Despite what must be expensive advertising they have a very good score with Charity Navigator. I insist on that unless I can see the results first hand.
Hungary: http://www.budapestshul.com/donations A Jewish community rebuilding from the past. A wonderful congregation recognized on an Oprah Winfrey show about religion around the world. Again, one of those opportunities to meet and share with those you are helping.
Romania: http://www.faracharity.org/ Organization helping children. This one I did blind. But they have a good local reputatiom.
These are a few that I felt confident contributing to because I have seen the results first hand or they had high rankings on https://www.charitynavigator.org/ US charities will be tax deductible, but not foreign ones. You can look up most of the larger ones on https://www.charitynavigator.org/ to see how much of your dollar goes to the end goal.
Where I couldn't find a charity that I felt comfortable with I left my money in museums and houses of worship.
Other suggestions?
But I don't want this to become political. Its about helping. Any life that improved or saved is a blessing. One person's heart will appeal in one direction and another's in yet a different direction. And its all good.