I came across your post today while researching the concept of Dasvandh. I think I can answer your question and recommend a good charity right here in the United States. I am an MBA with a full time job but wanted to do Sewa that is in line with Sikh teachings. United Sikhs is one such organization that I followed for 2 years before committing to be a sewadar.
For every dollar donated, atleast 90 cents reach the needy directly. The strength of United Sikhs is sewadars like me who work pro bono and with passion. Moreover you can choose where you want your donation to go - the projects are mainly in three areas - civil and human rights advocacy (protecting our right to kakaars, helping Sikhs with legal counsel free of charge - for example we secured a family refuge in Canada after the breadwinner was killed by the Taliban); secondly - we have the Sikh Aid projects - in 2010 we continue to provide aid to the 300 families at Panja Saheb who lost their homes in Pakistan floods and also those displaced by the Taliban, to the people of Haiti etc; Thirdly we have a number of ways to help empower the community - scholarships to low income families in Punjab (India), Sun Smile school for Siklighar sikhs in Delhi, Gurmat camps across the globe, educare community center in NYC, blood donation and feed the hungry drives............In short, you can chose the project you wish to fund and we make sure that's where the donation goes. You can also chose to get involved directly for performing the sewa - as we are a volunteer based organization.
Please let me know if you have any questions and I will try my best to answer them.
