Chicago, IL–(ENEWSPF)– Most charities rely heavily on the goodwill of individual donors during the holiday season to fund their activities throughout the coming year. Last year, charity contributions totaled $307.65 billion: 75 percent of this total came from individuals, according to the Giving USA Foundation. The Better Business Bureau advises donors to research a charity prior to giving and provides five questions to ask when vetting where to contribute this holiday season.
"The holidays are all about giving, not only to friends and family, but also to those in need," said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. "When donating to a charity, give wisely by vetting the organization fully; this will ensure your dollar goes as far as it can to help those less fortunate."
BBB recommends asking the following questions before choosing to donate to a specific charity this holiday season:
- Is this a charity I can trust?
- How will the charity use my donation?
- Can the charity actually use what I am donating?
- Am I feeling pressured to give?
Is this a charity I can trust?
Look at the appeal carefully; some charities’ names sound the same. Don’t be fooled by names that look impressive or that closely resemble the name of a well-known organization. Visitwww.bbb.org to find out whether a charity meets the 20 BBB charity standards that address charity governance, finances, fund raising, donor privacy, and other accountability issues. Also check with your appropriate state government authorities (this is usually a division of the state’s office of the attorney general) to verify the charity is registered to solicit in your state.
How will the charity use my donation?
Ask questions about how your donation will be used. Beware of appeals that bring tears to your eyes but tell you little about what the charity is doing about the problem it describes so well. For example, if the charity says it’s helping the homeless, do they explain how (shelter, food, medical care) and where this is taking place?
Watch out for statements such as "all proceeds will go to the charity." This can mean that only the money left after expenses, such as the cost of written materials and fund raising efforts, will go to the charity. These expenses can be high, so check carefully.
Can the charity actually use what I’m donating?
All charities welcome the receipt of monetary donations, but some also solicit in-kind donations such as clothing, food, and toys. If you’re planning to donate items to a worthy cause, make sure you know the in-kind contributions your charity prefers. For example, a food bank may prefer food items that are not perishable such as canned goods, and a toy drive may be seeking new and not used toys.
Am I feeling pressured to give?
Don’t succumb to pressure to give money on the spot, either immediately over the phone via credit card or by allowing a "runner" to pick up a contribution. Take the time to research the charity fully; the charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.
For more advice on giving over the holidays and to view reports on charities visit www.bbb.org
As a private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop and issue reports on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.
