"From the earliest stages of life, we are encouraged to help those in need, to share our seat on the bus, our snack, the vacant half of our umbrella — basically, to abide by that golden rule of doing unto others as we would have them do unto us. As we grow into adults, hopefully we will carry these traditions with us and continue to practice them on a larger scale. The act of reaching out to others, be it with our time, our skills or with a monetary contribution, evokes within us those feel-good emotions that accompany the knowledge that we have made a difference.
As simple as the process of filling in an amount on a check and posting an envelope might be, it is understood that, for the average person, money is not the easiest possession with which to part company. In this day and age, there are countless ways to donate money and even more worthy causes that rely on such donations. Unfortunately, however, there do exist pseudo-organizations that will prey upon the generosity of others.
No one ever wants to be "taken for a ride," so to speak, and many are therefore hesitant to contribute money without first ensuring that the contribution will indeed end up where it is intended. Such hesitations are completely understandable, if not downright wise. Consider the following hypothetical situation: you make a contribution that you think will help impoverished orphans receive medical attention and an education, but later discover that, instead, your donation provided an unknown swindler an all-expense-paid "research" trip to Cozumel. Undoubtedly, you will regret what was originally meant to be a selfless act of kindness and will be wary of volunteering future contributions. If you are generous enough to make a donation, you should be guaranteed full confidence in the organization to which you entrust your money.
Your donations are vital to the smooth operation of the non-profit world, and your confidences are valued. The Wise Giving Alliance has been established to ensure your protection from occurrences such as the above referenced example. The result of a merger of the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureaus' Foundation and its Philanthropic Advisory Service, the Alliance helps donors make informed giving decisions and advances high standards of conduct among organizations that solicit contributions from the public. Donors are cautioned to "Give but Give Wisely."
Before giving to a charity, the Wise Giving Alliance encourages you to take advantage of the resources available to you at www.give.org. This easy-to-navigate Web site provides a host of useful information, the most notable being the alphabetized National Charity Reports Index. Simply select the organization in which you are interested to find current information about expenses, affiliates and more, and also to determine how many of the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability the organization of interest does — or does not — fulfill. The Solicitation Advisory Program (SAP) is also available to serve the local needs of 64 counties throughout Central and Eastern Kentucky. The SAP provides information about organizations that are a little closer to home and might not be included in national listings.
While it is completely voluntary for businesses to make their information available to the public, doing so only helps to boost their integrity. According to Heather Clary, director of communications for the Better Business Bureau of Central & Eastern Kentucky, "We have had people tell us that if an organization has not provided their information, they will not donate. People wonder if the organization has something to hide." Additionally, BBB of Central & Eastern Kentucky President & CEO Neil Kingery suggests that, "Charities might also consider becoming BBB members to further increase their credibility to the public." Direct association with such an established and reputable organization as the BBB affords companies a strong seal of integrity. Kingery also urges the public to report potential scams to the Better Business Bureau Consumer Protection Office.
The bottom line is that it is very important to give back in life. And you want to make sure that your giving is maximized by good accountability and stewardship. By using these guidelines, you can make the most of your caring.
For more information about wise giving, and about the Solicitation Advisory Program, contact the Better Business Bureau of Central & Eastern Kentucky at(859) 259-1008 or check the local BBB Web site, www.ky.bbb.org.
Better Business Bureau charity tips:
Dos
DO ask questions, and donate only when the answers satisfy you. Charities with nothing to hide will encourage your interest. Beware of reluctance or inability to answer questions.
DO keep records of your donations (receipts, canceled checks, and bank statements) so you can document your charitable giving at tax time.
DO be wary of appeals that are long on emotion but short on explaining exactly how your money will be used. Ask how much of your gift will go to the cause, and how much will go toward administrative/fund raising costs. Better Business Bureau standards call for charities to spend at least 65 percent of each dollar donated on their programs. (Remember, "all proceeds will go to the charity" can mean the money left after expenses. It can make a big difference, so check carefully.)
Don'ts
DON'T give cash; always make contributions by check and make your check payable to the charity, not to the individual doing the collecting.
DON'T give your credit card number over the phone to anyone unless you initiated the call yourself, are familiar with the organization and have checked it out.
DON'T be fooled by "the name game." Some groups use names that closely resemble those of well-known organizations. Write down the exact name and address of the group asking you to give so you can check it out.
DON'T give in to pressure to give money on the spot or allow a "runner" to pick up a contribution before you can check it out; legitimate charities that need your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.
DON'T assume that just because the group says it is "tax exempt," that your donation is tax deductible. "Tax exempt" means the organization does not have to pay taxes. "Tax deductible" means that the donor can deduct contributions to the group on federal income tax returns.
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