Category: Wise Giving Wednesday

Your voice can help shape the future of transparency, accountability and trust in the charitable sector.

Help Us Update the BBB Charity Standards

BBB’s Give.org recently announced the launch of a project to revise our BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and we’re asking for your help. If you have any thoughts, please follow this link to comment on current standards, raise new issues, or suggest areas of accountability for us to consider. We welcome your input as a stakeholder in the revision of our Standards.

The Advisory Committee Leading the Effort

The process is led by a 20-member Advisory Committee that includes leaders from charities you may already know, such as Alzheimer’s Association, American Red Cross, Disabled American Veterans, Humane World for Animals, KABOOM!, Native American Native Rights Fund, The Salvation Army, and St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. We are also grateful for the participation of other Philanthropic experts.

Why This Update Matters

According to Bennett Weiner, BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s President and CEO,

“Over the past twenty years, the BBB Charity Standards provided guidance to strengthen trust in the charitable sector and served as a valuable assessment tool to help donors make informed giving decisions.”

Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM! (a charity dedicated to providing access to play areas for children), will help lead our revision team as the Co-chair of the Standards Revision Committee. Ratliff stresses the need to:

“address emerging matters facing the charitable sector, particularly as charities face federal funding cuts and the challenges of new technologies.”

Weiner adds,

“we look forward to enhancing and revising these efforts at a time when our public survey research has shown that trust has grown in importance.”

While our Standards will be modified, BBB WGA will continue to address fundamental areas, such as charity board oversight, finances, appeal accuracy and transparency.

How You Can Get Involved

We believe Standards should reflect the needs and values of the broader giving community, and that includes you.

• ✅ Click here to share your input
• ✅ Forward this post to others who care about nonprofit trust
• ✅ Stay tuned for updates throughout the revision process

We look forward to hearing from you!

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Nature Conservancy
• Statement Arts
• Neuroendocrine Tumor Research Foundation

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

Award shows don’t often spotlight philanthropy, but this year’s Emmys turned generosity into part of the night’s entertainment.

Nate Bargatze Turns Emmy Speeches Into a Giving Challenge

Nate Bargatze hosted the Emmys Sunday night and had a great comedy routine with a charitable mission. Bargatze would give an entry level donation of $100,000 to Boys and Girls Club of America, but there was a catch. Each Emmy winner had only 45 seconds allotted for their acceptance speech. The comedian pledged to donate $1,000 more for each second the speeches came under the allotted time limit or reduce the amount by $1,000 for each second the speeches went over the threshold. In the end, Bargatze contributed $250,000, and CBS an additional $100,000.

The Power of Small but Consistent Donations

One takeaway from the boon that Boys and Girls Club enjoyed is that donations add up. While the average donor certainly can’t make a $250,000 donation, and $1,000 is out of reach for modest budgets, many charities rely on small but consistent gifts to keep the lights on. While large gifts can have huge short-term impact, charities can’t rely on the Emmys, or viral giving like the Ice Bucket Challenge that benefited ALS Association in the summer of 2014. Slow and steady often wins the race.

How Every Gift Matters

Even a $10 monthly donation can make a meaningful difference to charities. Letting people know about the charity you’re giving to can also help influence others to support the charity, causing a ripple effect for the causes you care about.

Even small gifts connect you to a cause. By “putting your money where your mouth is” you’re engaging in civic life, fostering your own agency, and becoming a stakeholder in the charity’s mission. Also, giving just feels good, whether you’re helping children, animals, or those facing the desperation of civic or natural disaster.

Find Charities You Can Trust

Before you give, please visit our list of charities that meet all 20 Standards for Charity Accountability to find groups you can trust.

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Solar Cookers International
• Warriors and Quiet Waters Foundation
• Ezer Mizion

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

As a decades-old philanthropic tradition faces an abrupt halt, the charitable sector is watching closely, and speaking out.

OPM Issues Stop Work Order on All CFC Activities  

As reported in The Washington Post, on August 26^th, the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) issued a stop work order on all Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) activities, pausing all preparations for the upcoming CFC while officials decide whether it will be moving forward.

The CFC is the official workplace giving program of the U.S. federal government. It enables federal employees, including military personnel, to support nonprofit organizations through payroll deductions, one-time contributions, or volunteer service. It is one of the largest and most successful workplace giving programs in the world. As reported by The Nonprofit Times, the CFC raised more than $66 million for charities in 2024, and has raised $8.7 billion since 1961.

Charity Leaders Urge Action to Save the CFC

While no final decision has been announced, the prospect of losing the CFC is deeply concerning to many participating nonprofits.

Dr. Jean Accius, President and CEO of CHC: Creating Healthier Communities, states:

“As our nation nears 250 years of independence, we are called to defend the timeless values that made America strong such as faith, personal responsibility, and the power of private charity. The Combined Federal Campaign is a shining example of what government and everyday citizens can achieve together: billions given, countless lives touched, and not a burden added to the taxpayer. To end it now would not just abandon our veterans, families, faith-based charities, and other organizations, it would abandon a legacy of American generosity. This is a moment to stand firm, speak out, and preserve a tradition worthy of the nation it serves.”

The organization offers a dedicated website, https://chcimpact.org/savethecfc/, for partner nonprofits and supporters that want to advocate in favor of the CFC.

According to Angela F. Williams, President and CEO, United Way Worldwide,

“For more than 60 years, the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC) has served as a critical avenue for federal employees to support their communities and has played an indispensable role in empowering charitable giving across the country… Eliminating the CFC will make it more difficult for United Way—and all nonprofits—to meet the needs of communities. This program has been a source of light and support for millions of Americans.”

That is why Angela Williams and Diane Yentel, President and CEO of the National Council of Nonprofits, co-wrote a letter to OPM expressing their concern and urging them not to eliminate the CFC. They, too, encourage CFC supporters to reach out to their Members of Congress, urging them to advocate for the continuation of the Combined Federal Campaign.

Why the Combined Federal Campaign Matters

The value of the CFC lies in its ability to connect federal employees with a broad range of charitable organizations, offering them a convenient way to make a difference. Beyond workplace giving, it promotes civic responsibility, boosts morale, and fosters a culture of philanthropy. By pooling many individual contributions, the campaign results in important support and speaks the power of individuals to make a difference. For some organizations, CFC funding represents a vital portion of their overall revenue.

Update: CFC Hold Lifted

As reported on September 10^th by The Nonprofit Times, thanks to the actions taken by Nonprofits and advocates, the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM) lifted the stop work order on the Combined Federal Campaign (CFC). As nonprofits and advocates celebrate this decision, BBB Wise Giving Alliances encourages participation in this important campaign. (Updated 9/11/25)

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• EOD Warrior Foundation
• Feeding the Gulf Coast
• Earthwatch Institute

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

This Wise Giving Wednesday, we spotlight National Wildlife Day and the charities working year-round to protect animals, restore habitats, and inspire action.

The Origin of National Wildlife Day  

September 4 marks the 20th anniversary of National Wildlife Day, originally created in honor of Australian wildlife conservationist, zookeeper, and educator Steve Irwin, known to millions as the “Crocodile Hunter” on Animal Planet. The day is dedicated to promoting awareness and inspiring action towards animal protection.

How Charities Help Protect Wildlife: From Shorelines to Forests

A wide variety of charities work to protect wildlife through different approaches. Some charities focus on lobbying in support of laws and regulations that protect wildlife, while others conserve natural environment, or educate the public about plants, animals, and the importance of keeping their environment and ecosystems healthy. Some charities might directly rehabilitate injured wildlife, while others seek to restore ecosystems damaged by pollution, development, or industry.

When people think about wildlife, their minds often go to wolves, whales, or polar bears. But have you ever considered the horseshoe crab? These arthropods, estimated to have been around for 250 million years, rely on access to living shorelines unimpeded by bulkheads or riprap to spawn and breed. One Maryland nonprofit helps establish living shorelines by planting native marsh grasses to allow the horseshoe crab, and the Maryland terrapin, to survive, while also providing valuable forage for waterfowl. The organization also helps remove invasive species such as English Ivy, porcelain berry, and Japanese stiltgrass to make forests more hospitable to wildlife. This is just one example of the work charities are doing, not just on September 4, but throughout the year, to support our wildlife.  

Some Ways You Can Get Involved and Support Wildlife Conservation

Whether you live near the Chesapeake Bay or the Gulf Coast, you can be more involved with and supportive of our wildlife.

• Explore your own area. It doesn’t take a trip to Yellowstone to appreciate wildlife; start with your own surroundings and visit a local or regional park for the day and see what’s out there. Identifying plant and animal species is a great activity for kids. Better connections to and appreciation for the natural world can lead to a greater understanding of the need for its protection.
• Educate yourself. You don’t have to be a zoologist to understand the challenges faced by our plants and animals. Visiting charity websites and other online resources is a helpful way to find out more about the plants and animals you love, the important roles they play in the ecosystem, and what you can do to be their conscientious supporter.
• Volunteer. Identify wildlife conservation or educational nonprofits in your area and ask what you can do to help. Be mindful that groups need all types of assistance and will try to match your skillset to what’s needed. While you might not be the one holding the birds of prey or snakes for classroom children, maintaining an animal habitat in a rehab center, or clearing a stream of trash and debris is valuable work too.
• Donate to trusted charities. Before you give, we invite you to visit the BBB Wise Giving Alliance cause pages on environmental charities and animal-related charities.

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• American Indian College Fund
• Center for Science in the Public Interest
• Operation Gratitude

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

In a rapidly evolving technological landscape, charity leaders are reimagining the future of social good—leveraging foresight, empathy, and innovation to stay mission-driven amid AI disruption.

Forecasting the Future: What AI Means for Charities by 2035

Earlier this year, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB WGA), in partnership with the Institute for the Future (IFTF), GoFundMe, and The Salvation Army, invited charity leaders to explore how forecasting tools and predictive insights might support their mission over the coming decade.

Central to the event was IFTF’s thought-provoking 10-year forecast. It included three primary predictions:

1. 1. By 2035, AI bots will outnumber humans,
2. 2. AI will be able to translate any idea between any language or discipline, and
3. 3. AI will transform our relationship with resources.

These insights help charities anticipate future shocks and prepare for emerging socio-economic shifts with intentionality and purpose.

Centering Humanity: How Charity Leaders Are Shaping Ethical Innovation

Charity leaders reflected on the importance of centering human values in technological innovation. “It is not a future that is going to happen to us but one that we can shape,” said Amir Pasic of Indiana University, reminding us that we are not merely spectators of the AI revolution, but architects of it. Colonel James Betts, National Chief Secretary of The Salvation Army, raised important questions about dignity and opportunity in an AI-driven world: “What does it mean to be human as we lose opportunity to work?” The technological innovations of the coming decade will raise questions of humanity, truth, and faith. Margaret Richardson, Chief Corporate Affairs Officer at GoFundMe, reminded us that we have a choice: to act in fear or to act with empathy. She proposes we cultivate empathy at scale.

From Reactive to Proactive: The Role of Charities in Designing the Future

The future is not fixed, but a collective effort. As such, charities have a responsibility to act as agents rather than reactors. While new technologies bring opportunities for charities to become more efficient, strengthen decision-making, and expand their reach, BBB Wise Giving Alliance also hopes that charities will take the lead to ensure these tools are used with the best of intentions and ethics.  

Want More Forecasts and Reflections on the Future of Giving?

Explore the ideas shaping tomorrow’s charitable sector:

• Read the Wise Giving Guide for full details on the 2035 forecast
• Request a Print Copy via Request Magazine, free of charge

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• AdoptAClassroom.org
• charity:water
• Blinded Veterans Association

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

With government aid programs shrinking, charities are bracing for an influx of families in need of school-year essentials.

The Need Is Growing, While Resources Shrink

As millions of children head back to school, many families are struggling to afford basic necessities. Charities supporting families with school-aged children are preparing for a surge in demand, even as they struggle with the impact of recent government funding cuts.

For example, as reported by the Urban Institute, approximately 22.3 million U.S. families (mostly working families and those with children) will lose some or all of their SNAP benefits as a consequence of the bill (H.R. 1) passed in July 2025. With low-income households losing eligibility or facing benefit cuts, reliance on food banks is expected to rise. Food banks, which are already facing reductions in government funding, call for empathy and public support. 

How You Can Help Charities Support Children This School Year

Here are a few ways you can make a difference:

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Ranked Choice Voting Resource Center
• World Relief Corporation of National Association of Evangelicals
• Ukrainian Freedom Fund

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

With summer in full “swing,” many charities take advantage of golf fundraisers to lure in big bucks from wealthy donors. Charities from large cancer groups to local arts groups can benefit from these events with proper planning and reasonable expectations.  In this week’s Wise Giving Wednesday, we take a look at a few of the things to keep in mind before you tee off.

Plan Ahead and Secure the Course Early

Charities considering hosting a charity golf event need to plan ahead. Look to secure a golf course a minimum of 6 months in advance, if not more. Organizations will also need time to work with the golf course operators concerning coordination and logistics. Is the golf club going to be responsible for food and drink or does the charity need to contact outside vendors? Are there any club rules that charity staff, volunteers and participants need to know about?

Build a Realistic Budget and Consider Sponsorships

Once a charity has secured a course, begin considering all of the elements that go into hosting a successful event. There are meals, greens fees, carts and caddies. Think about swag, gifts for participants, and action items that might be added to those costs. A potential revenue source for charities is looking for outside funding from corporate sponsors. If you’ve ever tuned into the Masters or other major golf tournaments, you’ll see different corporate logos on the shirts and hats of the players. Corporations are similarly willing to sponsor charity events in exchange for publicity such as well-placed advertisements. And what golfer doesn’t want a new hat or golf polo for their next 18?

Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• American Institute for Cancer Research
• Death with Dignity National Center
• Dian Fossey Gorilla Fund

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.