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Donating to a charity
can be a generous and rewarding way to give back. There are many deserving organizations locally, nationally, and worldwide that depend on charitable donations. In these tough economic times, however, it's important to make sure that your hard-earned dollars are put to the best possible use. Following are some considerations for choosing a charity that will mean the most to you and work the hardest for those on the receiving end.
It's Your Prerogative
In the past you may have encountered the common experience of having a charity representative knock on your door or call your home with the goal of soliciting a donation from you. Don't feel guilty or pressured to say yes to these requests. In many cases, only a small portion of funds provided in response to an appeal will go toward the charity's mission. The rest is often spent on the cost of that appeal. You'll be happier if you take the
time to choose a charity that means something to you and that provides you with a sense of satisfaction about your donation.
Do Your Homework
Unfortunately, phony charities do exist, and it is worth doing the necessary research to ensure that an organization is legitimate before donating. Call the charity in question to speak with someone for answers to basic questions you may have about the charity's purpose, its use of donation funds, its short- and long-term goals, and so forth. You should also ask specific questions about how your potential donation will be used to further the charity's mission. Whenever possible, donate to organizations whose work you are already familiar with, either through past donations and volunteer work or through other means. But even if you think you are already familiar with a particular charitable group, be sure to verify that it is in fact the charity that you think it is. Many bogus charities have stooped to using slight variations of familiar names and logos of existing charities in order to swindle funds from unsuspecting donors who think their money is going to a different organization. When in doubt, check out the charity with national, state and local authorities.
