Better to Give
After Halloween the atmosphere exchanges aromas of pumpkin spice for cinnamon, toasted marshmallow and pine trees. The holiday season seems to warm our hearts in a way that’s difficult to put into words. We reminisce on favorite family traditions and begin planning based on culinary skill levels who will be making what dish for the main event. Beyond the nostalgia you feel around this time, there is also a spirit of generosity that’s hard to shake when you realize it’s better to give than to receive. Be cautious, a major downfall to having a giving heart is to first acknowledge that scam artists are looking to play on your holiday heart strings by taking advantage of your giving.
If you’re thinking about donating to charity on giving Tuesday or at any point during this season, make sure you are doing your research to verify that an online charity is legitimate. Check with Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance for a list of trusted charities to give to. Here are some wise giving tips to keep your heart filled with holiday cheer.
1. Get the charity’s exact name. With so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem. Thousands of charities have “cancer” in their name, for example, but no connection with one another.
2. Resist pressure to give on the spot, whether from a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor.
3. Be wary of heart-wrenching appeals. What matters is what the charity is doing to help.
4. Press for specifics. If the charity says it’s helping the homeless, for example, ask how and where it’s working.
5. Check websites for basics. A charity’s mission, program and finances should be available on its site. If not, check for a report at www.give.org.
6. Check with state charity officials. In many states, charities are required to register, usually with the office of the attorney general, before soliciting. Click http://www.nasconet.org/documents/u-s-charity-offices/ for the relevant office in your state.
7. Don’t assume that every soliciting organization is tax exempt as a charity. You can readily check an organization’s tax status at www.irs.gov/app/eos.
For more wise giving tips, visit give.org today!
