Despite the tough economy, donors are still looking for ways to help the less fortunate, particularly around the holidays. BBB of Metro NY reminds donors that whether you’re giving money, canned goods, used items or your time, how you give is just as important as what you give.
“During the holiday season we’re especially aware that charitable donations are much needed and appreciated, so it’s wonderful that people are still interested in giving,” said Claire Rosenzweig, President and CEO of the Better Business Bureau of Metro NY. “To find out how your charity uses donations, and learn whether it meets BBB standards, check the charity with BBB.”
Here are some BBB tips to bear in mind, if you are considering one of these five common ways of donating to charities over the holidays:
1. Give when you shop - Many charities have had great success partnering with businesses which agree to donate some amount of the purchase price from sales of items to a worthy cause. This means that you can help while you shop. This type of cause-marketing promotion should always identify the charity or charities that will receive funding. It should also clarify exactly how much of the purchase price the charity will receive, and it should let you know the time frame for this special offer. Some businesses, like grocery stores, ask if you want to donate to a charity and have that amount added to your receipt. This is called embedded giving. See if the embedded promotion states which specific charity will receive the collected funds.
2. Give items – Many organizations solicit for in-kind donations over the holidays, requesting items such as coats, toys, and canned goods. Whatever you’re donating, make sure the items are in good condition and that the recipient charity is accepting such items to help further its cause. Be sure you donate your goods to a genuine charity! To find out whether a group is really a charity, and to get more details about the tax benefits of donating items rather than cash, visit the IRS website’s charity section at www.irs.gov.
3. Give online – Giving online with a credit or debit card is among the most efficient ways to support a charity. Before you enter in your numbers, give the website a thorough review. Look for the organization’s privacy policy, and verify if the organization has appropriate security measures in place to protect such transactions.
4. 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 tacked on to your cell phone bill. While donating via text is fast and easy for the donor, the actual money can take months to reach the charity, and the size of your donation may be very limited. Consider donating directly to a charity through its website to speed your gift to your chosen cause.
5. Give your time – In today’s tight economy, you may not have money, but you can always give a little bit of your time to help support a worthy cause. In addition to volunteering around the holidays, 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. However, if you intend to do serious fundraising on behalf of a charity, check with them first and get advance permission to use the charity’s name.
Metro NY BBB’s New York Philanthropic Advisory Service (NYPAS) reviews over 870 charities in lower NY State. To see local charity reports and get more advice on how to give when times are tight, visit www.newyork.bbb.org/charity. BBB Charity Seal Holders can be found in the new Metro New York BBB Donor’s Guide at www.newyork.bbb.org/charityguide.
BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on more than 1,200 national charitable organizations at www.bbb.org/charity and determines if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, addressing governance, finances and fund raising practices.
