BBB Advises Consumers to Give Wisely this Holiday Season
Donating to charities happens all year long, but especially during the holiday season. There is a lot to consider before donating your money. BBB has some tips to help you give wisely:
- Do not give cash. Always contribute by check, and only make checks out to the charity, not individual names.
- Always keep proof of your contributions, this helps you document during tax time.
- Don’t donate because the charity or individual names impress you.
- Confirm existence of the charity through local charity registration or with your local BBB.
Mail requests:
- Charities or organizations should be identified clearly. General and specific information should be explained in clear language. Don’t just give based on emotions. Gather all of the facts about the organization.
- Requests should not be made to look like bills or invoices. You are not obligated to make donations.
- Any received, unordered products don’t require a donation. You are not required to make a donation for something you didn’t order, you are also not required to send items back.
If you are approached in person or over the phone for donations make sure to ask questions. Don’t feel pressured to give on the spot, take your time to consider it. Legitimate charities are willing to answer questions. Important information to consider before donating:
- The charity’s full name and address.
- Find out if your donation is tax deductible, it may not be.
- Ask if the charity is approved by the state. Registration is required in most states.
- Do not feel pressured to give.
- Find out what amount is actually going to charity. Be careful of statements like “all proceeds go to charity.”
There are many ways donors can give to a worthy cause, whether it is giving money, canned goods, used items or your time. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance wants to remind donors that how you give is just as important as what you give.
Here are five ways you can “give” this holiday season:
Give items – Many organizations ask for specific items during the holidays, including coats, toys, and canned goods. Make sure the items are in good condition before donating.
Give when you shop - Many charities have had great success partnering with businesses who agree to donate an amount of the purchase price of certain items. Check to see if the promotion identifies the actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price the charity will receive. Some businesses, like grocery stores, ask if you want to donate to a charity and have that amount added to your receipt, which is called embedded giving. See if the embedded promotion states which specific charity will receive the collected funds.
Give online – Giving online with a credit or debit card is one of the most efficient ways to support a charity. Before you enter in your card numbers, give the web site a thorough review and look for the organization’s privacy policy. Make sure the organization has appropriate security measures in place to protect such transactions.
Give through text messaging – The option to give via text message took off in the wake of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti. After texting a message to a number, the donation is added to your cell phone bill. While donating via text is fast and easy for the donor, the donation can take months to reach the charity, so consider donating directly to a charity through its web site if there is an urgent need.
Give your time – In today’s tight economy, if you do not have the budget to donate money, give your time. In addition to volunteering, you can also be a vocal supporter of a charity and help raise awareness among friends and family and on your Facebook page or blog.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on more than 1,200 national charitable organizations at www.bbb.org/charity and determines if they meet 20 accountability standards addressing governance, finances and fund raising practices.