Charity Giving

by Debbie Vasen | More from this Blogger

30 Oct 2007 04:02 PM

'Tis the season for charity giving.... Fa, la la la la... Whatever your religion, the holidays are the time of year that charities receive the most donations. These months can truly make or break their budgets. Whether they are a good charity or bad, the fundraising department is on high gear during this time.

Donating is a necessary part of a healthy society, but how do you know who should receive a piece of your limited budget? There are a few key points to remember before you hand over your holiday donation.

1. If the donation is to someone in person, whether at a holiday gathering or someone going from door-to-door, always ask for I.D. The law requires they identify themselves and you do want to be sure the money you give is actually going to arrive at the charity and not just the pockets of a tricky scammer.

2. Avoid third party collectors when possible. It is always beneficial to go directly to the charity itself. This saves them the cost of telemarketers and "sales" staff.

3. Research a little about the charity if possible. Authentic non-profits will release their financial statements. This will help you see how much of your donation will go to the actual cause vs. administrative costs.

4. Never give out your personal information like social security, driver's license, or bank account numbers. Pay by personal check or credit card.

5. Check out charities through either the Better Business Bureau or at www.give.org.

6. Give to organizations you know and have been around a long time.

7. If you have a limited budget - give the gift of your time. This can be just as valuable!

8. Give to causes that really mean something to you. This provides you with an extra special reward in addition to your donation... a feeling of peace and joy.

Related Articles:

*Online Holiday Charity Donations

*Door-To-Door Charity Collectors

*Three Things to Consider When Giving Money

Learn more about Debbie Vasen

Debbie Vasen is a published web content editor and writer, as well as a freelance writer for various print publications. In addition to blogging at Families.

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