A few weeks ago, a couple of well-meaning internet entrepreneurs decided they wanted to flex their philanthropic muscles by donating a million t-shirts to Africa. Their good intentions were not rewarded. Instead of the expected praise, accolades, and good press, a firestorm of controversy erupted. From Time magazine to famed NYU development Prof Bill Easterly, a chorus of critics pointed out that Africans didn’t need t-shirts and the shipping costs alone would be far better spent on a long list of other pressing issues. Aid blogger Tales From The Hood cleverly christened the t-shirts and other items donated and sent overseas as “SWEDOW”: Stuff We Don’t Want.

Now that the noise is abating, and the unlucky t-shirt entrepreneurs have retreated to rethink (and do damage control to their brand), the philanthropic community is starting to debate if it is always wrong to send stuff we don’t want. For example, surely it would make sense to send tents to a Caribbean island that was just devastated by a hurricane if you have access to free shipping? Not necessarily. If you sold those tents here, then used the money to buy tents locally over there, you could effectively double your impact by both providing shelter and boosting the island economy. But what if buying hundreds of tents on the island drove up prices because the supply was limited? In that case maybe sending the tents would make more sense. Or would it?

This complexity could make your head spin, especially if you are simply a budding philanthropist with a million t-shirts who just wants to make the world a better place. Which is why you should use this handy, pocket size SWEDOW flowchart. Print it, laminate it, keep it in your wallet, and rest easy knowing you won’t create a publicity nightmare by inadvertently attracting the wrath of the aid community.