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Investing
in Doing Good
When you sign your name to
a pledge card, write out a check to a charity
or fold a bill and put it in the Salvation Army
kettle as the bell ringer smiles and waves,
you are making an investment. It's an investment
in the organizations and people who are working
tirelessly to make the world a better place
for everyone. Thinking
of a charitable donation as an investment helps
put it into perspective and get your mind working
on how to give wisely.
Do
your homework.
For some reason, we are shy
about asking for details from charities, as
though to do so is bad manners. After all, they're
out there sweating on the front lines and we're
just giving a bit of cash, right? Wrong! Legitimate
charities welcome scrutiny, and are eager to
share what is happening with their donors and
potential donors. Never be afraid
to ask specific questions... and if you don't
get the right answers, move on.
- Request
written information from the charity about
its financial picture, needs and work.
Reputable charities
have this material in abundance and are thrilled
to give it to you, knowing
it will make you a more committed supporter.
- Be
cautious with door-to-door and telephone solicitations
that you did not initiate.
Scam artists love to bilk well-meaning people
out of their charity contributions. For
some excellent tips to keep in mind in this
regard, visit the Federal
Trade Commission's seasonal
donation tip sheet. There
are also links to other excellent resources
on the site.
- Just
say NO to high pressure tactics.
Again, reputable charities do not have to
resort to this kind of thing. Practice saying,
"No, thank you, I have already given my charitable
contributions for this year," or something
similar until you are comfortable delivering
it when pressured. Tactics
like these should alert your scam antennae.
How to
select a charity to support.
It sounds odd, but
some people want to give... they just don't
know who to give TO. If you find yourself in
that position (or if you want to give to a charity
in the name of someone else, and want to give
appropriately) keep these tips in mind.
- Follow
your passion. Why would you
want to give to something you feel luke warm
about? There are
thousands of charities, and bound to be one
that fits your passions and interests. Seek
until you find it. The internet
is a great place to start -- but review the
cautions above, as well. Just because someone
has a razzle-dazzle website does not make
them legitimate or fiscally responsible. Think
about what you're interested in -- helping
the less fortunate, animal causes, environmental
groups, your alma mater, medical research,
cultural organizations, zoos, religious organizations...
the possibilities are endless.
- Utilize
the resources at your fingertips to check
out charities. An
excellent site is Charity
Navigator (subtitled, "Your guide
to intelligent giving.") This
site has a searchable database of over 3,400
charities and gives information about the
mission and financial condition of each charity.
It also hasHighest andLowest rankings for
myriad categories of charities (such as "Animal
Rights, Welfare and Services", "Diseases,
Disorders and Disciplines", and "Performing
Arts".) There are also other excellent tips
about choosing a charity you love to support.
- Customize
your workplace giving. Americans
give about $4.8 billion to charities through
workplace fundraising campaigns each year.
Often you are given the opportunity to give
from your paycheck throughout the year, which
considerably minimizes the pinch and allows
you to budget your giving easily. You can
usually either give to a fundraising organization
(like United Way) or select from among the
many organizations the umbrella fundraiser
represents. To
get the most out of your donation, really
evaluate those many choices and select those
that you feel most committed to.
Many employers have donation-matching programs
that stretch your contribution even further.
- Give
a REAL gift -- instead of just money, target
your money to something specific.
For example, $10 pays for a floor joist in
a Habitat for Humanity home, $40 pays for
5 gallons of paint; a lifetime of clean water
for one person in Burundi costs $38.
These are great gifts to give in the name
of someone on your list, too. To read
more about this kind of giving, check out
GiveSpot,
which has links
to many other charitable sites along these
lines.
- Follow
up before next year. Don't
just blindly give each year to the same organizations.
Check their websites and literature to see
how they are doing and what effect your donations
are making in the community at large. If
the organization changes mission or direction,
you may want to channel your funds in a different
direction. You'd never know,
though, if you don't keep up.
It's nice to take a tax deduction each year
for your charitable contributions -- but most
people don't do it for that reason. If
you let your heart get you started, then use
your head to do a little research before giving,
you'll be happy with what you can accomplish.
One
last tip: Consider
giving of your time, as well!
If you truly believe in a cause, don't limit
your donation to money. Spend time at the pet
shelter; go help paint backdrops for the local
theatre; join a walk-a-thon; plant a tree; get
involved in the community activities at your
church, synagogue, mosque or other religious
organization. You'll
be amazed at the way that you'll get back much
more than you give, no matter how hard you try
to do the reverse! |
