Category: Wise Giving Wednesday

Wise Giving Wednesday: Ransomware Demands Acts of Charity
Most everyone has heard about ransomware attacks where a scammer uses encryption software to lock computers and data and then demand payment via cryptocurrency or other means before they release the data. Such attacks can happen in a number of ways (for example, clicking on a link in a fraudulent email) and then spread to other computers on the same network. Unfortunately, a new version of this swindle has emerged, this time with a charitable theme. Various cybersecurity services and news sources are reporting something being called “Goodwill Ransomware.” In this circumstance, the ransomware victim is being told their data will be locked until three acts of charity are completed: (1) provide new clothes to needy people, (2) treat five poor children with a meal at specified fast food restaurants, and (3) pay for someone who can’t afford needed medical assistance. For all three acts, the victim is asked to document and record photos and videos and place them on social media.

While no victims of this ransomware approach have been reported in media accounts, it is extremely sad and offensive that anyone would tarnish philanthropy by holding personal data hostage to complete specified tasks. BBB Wise Giving Alliance warns that people should still be on the lookout and not succumb to such ransomware demands to unlock their data. It is also inappropriate to encourage strangers to approach children or to publish photos or videos of people receiving charitable assistance without their expressed permission.

BBB offers various tips to help prevent ransomware attacks. Among other things, individuals should make sure that they are periodically updating their software systems on their laptops and other computers, not clicking on links from unfamiliar sources, and conducting regular system backups. Also, the FBI has provided tips on ransomware and encourages victims to not pay a ransom and to report such acts to their Internet Crime Complaint Center also known as IC3.

Video of the Week
In this episode of our Building Trust Series, BBB Wise Giving Alliance interviews Jeanne Dillner, CEO of SIGN Fracture Care International (a BBB Accredited Charity). This organization works to build orthopedic capacity in developing countries by providing orthopedic training and implants.

Heart of Giving Podcast

In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance interviews Betsy Peterson and Olivia Henry Harris from the Council of Michigan Foundations. They discuss their programs aimed at educating younger people on the power of giving and teaching them to be grantmakers.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
June 1, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Helping Victims of Mass Shootings at Buffalo Supermarket and at Uvalde, Texas Elementary School
Last week, BBB Wise Giving Alliance shared giving tips for those seeking to help the families of those killed or injured in the May 14^th Buffalo supermarket shooting. As we were preparing this copy, another mass shooting tragedy took place on May 24^th at an elementary school in Uvalde, Texas. The advice we offer for helping Uvalde victims is the same as for Buffalo. Don’t assume everyone raising funds using the names and photos of victims has received permission from their families to do so. Check out recent announcements to avoid duplication of effort. Also, interested donors will quickly see more organized efforts created to address immediate and other needs – so the first solicitation you see may not be the best opportunity to help. See this link for more guidance about avoiding questionable appeals.

For Buffalo, the immediate philanthropy spotlight was understandably on the victims shot at the Tops market. The Buffalo area where this occurred, however, also was significantly impacted. We thought it would be helpful to identify how the Buffalo community responded to show its support for the East Side area where the supermarket is located. We reached out to the Better Business Bureau of Upstate New York and are grateful for their assistance in helping to compile the following information.

World Central Kitchen
As reported on NPR, the Tops supermarket opened in July 2003 and was the first major supermarket to open in that East Side community which is predominantly African American. It has since been closed after the shooting pending the completion of the police investigation and addressing needed repairs. In the meantime, this has left a significant gap in meeting the needs of area residents. Several days after the Buffalo shooting, the World Central Kitchen (which is currently active in helping in Ukraine) set up a nearby area to provide hot meals, snacks, drinks, fresh produce and personal hygiene products. Local businesses and restaurants quickly offered donations to help support this distribution effort.

Bills, Sabres and Bandits
Local sports teams also got involved when members of the Buffalo Bills football team, the Sabres hockey team and the Bandits lacrosse team came by to help give out flowers, meals and show their support. Also, the Buffalo Bills along with the NFL announced it will make a $400,000 donation to Buffalo charities.

Food Banks
Buffalo area food banks set up drives near the Tops location on Jefferson Avenue to collect donations of food, diapers, and other essentials. One group, Buffalo Community Fridges, was passing out bread, milk and eggs and other items out of refrigerated trucks.

Community Foundation
The Community Foundation of Greater Buffalo also announced it will be engaged in a collaborative effort with various charities to form the “Buffalo Together Community Response Fund” to address short and long-term needs emerging as a result of this shooting tragedy.

For Buffalo, the community came together to show support, demonstrate caring and send an inspiring message of recovery. We hope the same for Uvalde, Texas and will continue to monitor these situations as giving circumstances evolve.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to revisit a video featuring an interview with Mabel Valdivia, Executive Director of Fonkoze USA, a BBB Accredited Charity that provides funds for microfinance loans to its partners in Haiti. The majority of loan recipients are women who use the funds to start or expand a small business that enables them to earn an income and feed their families.

Heart of Giving Podcast

In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance interviews Frank Crump, the Founder, President, and CEO of UPI Loan Fund which provides loans and behavioral financial wellness services to underserved communities.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
May 25, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Donating to Buffalo Shooting Victims
To hear about any mass shooting is emotionally devastating but generates additional grief when the victims have been targeted out of racism. What happened in a Buffalo, New York supermarket this past weekend is heart wrenching and brings many of us to tears. At the same time, we also are motivated to help the families of the victims of those who were killed or injured. To help people make informed giving decisions, we encourage potential donors to be aware of the different circumstances that often emerge in tragedy-related philanthropy.

Does the appeal respect victims and their families?

Charitable organizations or crowdfunding postings raising funds should get permission from the families to use either the names of the victims and/or any photographs of them. Don’t assume there is an official connection if photos are displayed.

How will donations be used?

Be cautious about vague appeals that don’t identify the intended use of funds. For example, is money being collected for funeral expenses or other family needs? Also, unless told otherwise, donors will assume that collected funds quickly collected after a tragedy will be distributed or spent just as quickly.

Advocacy Organizations

Tragedies that involve violent acts with firearms can also generate requests from a variety of advocacy organizations that address gun use. Donors can support these efforts as well but note that some of these advocacy groups are not tax exempt as charities. Also, watch out for newly created advocacy groups that will be difficult to check out.

Tax Deductibility

Contributions that are donor-restricted to help a specific individual/family are not deductible in the U.S. as charitable donations, even if the recipient organization is a charity. See IRS Publication 526, page 7, for more information on this subject.

Check out recent announcements to avoid duplication of effort.

Be mindful of public announcements that identify assistance being provided to victim families to help avoid donating to duplicative efforts.

Crowdfunding advice

Crowdfunding has become so popular that it is not unusual for fundraising to start within hours after a tragedy has occurred. Please keep in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take precautions in carefully screening, vetting and managing postings after a tragedy, others might not. If unsure, review the posting procedures described on the crowdfunding site and also find out about transaction fees and other specifics.

As always, we remind donors to check out charities by visiting Give.org to verify if the charity meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to revisit a video featuring an interview with Dr. Neal D. Barnard, President of Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine (a BBB Accredited Charity) an organization that reports it combines its more than 12,000 physicians with its 175,000 members to promote nutritional interventions to prevent and combat chronic disease and advocate for technological advances in medical research and toxicology to replace the use of animals. Its primary care clinic, the Barnard Medical Center, specializes in diet-related chronic disease and integrates nutrition counseling into patient treatment protocols. The organization also works with governments, academics, corporations, and other stakeholders to devise alternatives to animal testing, press for global adoption of these methods, and train scientists in how to use them.

Heart of Giving Podcast

In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance interviews Natalie Jaresko, former Ukraine Finance Minister. She discusses the outpouring of philanthropic support during the ongoing humanitarian crisis.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
May 18, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: The Importance of Audited Financial Statements
As a standards-based charity evaluator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance recognizes the value of standards and guidelines in providing a useful reference point and helping to encourage good practices. This is one of the reasons that the financial section of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability prefers to use a charity’s audited financial statements as opposed to the IRS Form 990. Audited financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP (generally accepted accounting principles) which are the accounting standards established in the United States by the Financial Accounting Standards Board. In turn, the auditor’s opinion attached to audited financial statements will identify any material aberration from GAAP so that users are aware of this difference when reviewing the financial statement contents.

The IRS Form 990, the annual financial form that charities file with the IRS, is not intended to provide a financial presentation that is consistent with GAAP. As a result, in some instances, there can be significant differences between the IRS Form 990 and a charity’s audited financial statement. As two examples, audited statements include unrealized gains or losses on investments as well as, under certain conditions, donated services, while the IRS Form 990 does not permit these items to be included in revenues or expenses. When you see a charity financial reference in media, on a website, or in a fundraising letter, look closely to see if the source is clearly identified so that you know whether or not the summary is based on GAAP financial information.

BBB Charity Standard 11, requires charities to have audited financial statements when total income exceeds $1 million. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $1 million, a review by a certified public accountant is sufficient to meet this standard. For charities whose annual gross income is less than $250,000, an internally produced, complete financial statement is adequate as long as it includes the same elements (i.e., statement of financial position, statement of activities, statement of cash flows, notes, etc.) as the audited financial statements. If this is not available for such smaller charities, then the IRS Form 990 or 990-EZ Form would be sufficient.

Video of the Week

As part of our Ukraine Relief Charity Interview series, BBB Wise Giving Alliance speaks to Commissioner Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of the Salvation Army talks about the organization’s relief efforts in and around Ukraine.

Heart of Giving Podcast
In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance goes back to its archives to collect excerpts from talks with guests who are contributing or have contributed to the education of young people. Through these clips, BBB WGA seeks to demonstrate the power of philanthropy in assisting teachers.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
May 11, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Assessing New Charities
One of the strengths of the charitable sector in the United States is the sheer volume of charities. According to the 2020 IRS Data Book (the most current available) during the fiscal year ended September 30, 2020, there were a total of 1,404,170 organizations that were tax exempt as charities, under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. This included 79,730 new organizations that applied for and received 501 (c)(3) charitable tax exempt status. Although most new charities will be small, some donors may be interested in finding out more about them. The challenge is that until the first 18 months have passed, it is unlikely that their first financial statements (and or IRS Form 990) will be available. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following advice to help potential donors assess brand new organizations.

Check out their website. Even a brand new charity will likely have a website that includes basic facts about its intended goals and activities. See if there is a clear description of what the organization plans to accomplish. Be wary of vague explanations that do no provide any specifics about how the charity will carry out its efforts.

Find out about board oversight. Although the charity is new, it will have a board of directors that is ultimately in charge of the oversight of the operations and staff. See if the organization’s website has a board roster that identifies who serves on the board and provides their professional affiliations. This may help you determine if the charity’s governing body is being led by individuals that have the knowledge and/or experience in addressing the identified cause.

Review the charity’s privacy policy. See if the website includes a clear and accessible privacy policy that tells visitors (i) what information, if any, is being collected about them by the charity and how this information will be used, (ii) how to contact the charity to review personal information collected and request corrections, (iii) how to inform the charity (e.g., a check off box) that the visitor does not wish his/her personal information to be shared outside the organization, and (iv) what security measures the charity has in place to protect personal information.

Be cautious about emergency appeals. If the charity is raising funds for some type of disaster or other emergency need, it should be able to substantiate that the timing and nature of its expenditures will be in accordance with what is stated, expressed or implied in its solicitations. Also keep in mind that even with the best of intentions, it can be challenging for new charities to address emergency situations unless they have adequate connections or skills to address circumstances at hand.

Video of the Week

As part of the Building Trust Video Series, BBB WGA has produced a video interview with Tim Earley, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia (a BBB Accredited Charity) which grants wishes to Georgia children, between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18, living with a progressive, degenerative or malignant medical condition that has placed their lives in jeopardy. The organization reports that it grants between 300 and 400 wishes every year.

Heart of Giving Podcast

In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, our guest is Diana Byer, the Founder of the New York Theatre Ballet. Diana talks about how she has changed the lives of many at-risk children in New York City through the power of dance. Her LIFT program is the subject of an upcoming film that will soon be premiered at New York’s Tribeca Film Festival.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
May 4, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Third Month for Ukraine Relief
On Monday, April 25^th, the United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) announced the need for $2.25 billion in assistance to help Ukraine. The UN estimates that the war has left some 15.7 million in need and “…has caused the world’s fastest growing displacement crisis since the Second World War, uprooting nearly 13 million people. More than seven million are internally displaced while 5.2 million have crossed into neighboring countries….” These numbers paint an overwhelming state of affairs that far exceeds any initial estimate for a war that is now entering its third month. UN’s OCHA released its latest Flash Appeal report that provides a detailed update on humanitarian needs. Among other things, it notes that the destruction of major urban areas and infrastructure have disrupted critical services, particularly healthcare, and have also left many without access to safe water or sanitation. However, the report also notes that more than 3.4 million people have been reached with assistance since March 24^th. In delivering this help, OCHA reports that it works with 207 humanitarian partners, about half of them are Ukrainian nonprofit organizations that are located across the country.

U.S. based international relief organizations also continue to raise funds to help Ukrainians suffering during this war. See our list of 30 BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., charities that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) that are either currently raising funds for assistance efforts in Ukraine and/or the needs of those who have fled to neighboring countries. These groups report a variety of relief activities ranging from delivering needed medicines, health supplies, food and other urgent items. Some are working with local Ukraine charities and houses of worship to distribute assistance, while others already had a relief presence in Ukraine when the war began. See the descriptions on the organizations’ websites for additional details.

In turn, as reported in the New York Times in mid-March, the United State Congress approved an aid package for Ukraine that included over $4 billion for food assistance, health care, migration and refugee assistance as well as economic support. This is a huge sum that will make a significant difference.

Unlike government responses that can take time, however, charitable organizations have the advantage of being able to respond immediately to situations and have demonstrated their ability to adapt quickly to changing circumstances and harsh conditions. In Ukraine, this advantage is another reason that donors should support experienced relief groups that are best equipped to provide help.

Video of the Week
As part of our Ukraine Relief Charity Interview series, BBB Wise Giving Alliance speaks to Nancy Dent, Senior Global Communications Officer of the International Rescue Committee. She talks about the organization’s relief efforts in and around Ukraine.

Heart of Giving Podcast
In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, our guest is Victoria Vrana, Deputy Director, Philanthropic Partnerships, Gates Foundation. Victoria leads the Giving Ecosystems and Giving By All work for the Philanthropic Partnership team which includes initiatives that focus on policy, data, and infrastructure and efforts to encourage everyday giving in the U.S., China, India, and the Middle East.
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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
April 27, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Earth Day 2022
Fifty-two years ago, Earth Day had its first observance on April 22, 1970. It has grown into a global movement that involves over 100 countries. BBB Wise Giving Alliance believes one of the best ways to honor this day is to contribute to charitable organizations that address environmental issues. Listed below are environmental charities that have been evaluated by BBB WGA and found to meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities.) Giving USA 2021 reported that of the $474.44 billion donated in 2020, giving to environmental and animal organizations is estimated to have increased 3% over the previous year to $16.14 billion.

Nationally Soliciting BBB Accredited Environmental Charities (i.e., meets all 20 BBB Charity Standards for Charity Accountability):

1% for the Planet Animal Legal Defense Fund Appalachian Trail Conservancy Big Life Foundation USA Center for Watershed Protection Chesapeake Bay Foundation Defenders of Wildlife Ducks Unlimited Earthjustice Earthworks Food & Water Watch Friends of the Earth Galapagos Conservancy International Rivers Land Trust Alliance National Arbor Day Foundation National Audubon Society National Environmental Education and Training Foundation National Park Trust National Parks Conservation Association National Wildlife Federation Nature Conservancy NumbersUSA Education and Research Foundation Ocean Conservancy Pandas international Planet Aid Rails-to-Trails Conservancy Rainforest Action Network Sierra Club Foundation Student Conservation Association Union of Concerned Scientists Waterkeeper Alliance The Wilderness Society Wildlands Conservancy World Wildlife Fund Yosemite Conservancy

Video of the Week
As part of our Ukraine Relief Charity Interview series, BBB Wise Giving Alliance has produced two more videos: (1) Mark Smith, Vice President of Humanitarian Affairs, World Vision and (2) Miguel Abi-hassan, Chief Rescue and Care Officer, Humane Society of the United States and Humane Society International. Both discuss their organization’s activities in and around Ukraine.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
April 20, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Concerts Raising Funds for Ukraine Relief and/or Refugees
Raising charity funds through concerts or musical recordings is older than rock and roll and the cause of Ukraine relief is no exception. Various concert events for Ukraine have taken place across the U.S. in the past few weeks, as well as in other countries. The promotions for these gatherings promise that ticket sales will be used to help Ukraine relief or refugees. To help donors make informed decisions about such activities, BBB Wise Giving Alliance provides the following tips.
- See if the event has specified which Ukraine relief charity will benefit from the concert. Don’t assume the musicians or organizers have vetted the organization(s). Verify charity trustworthiness by visiting Give.org to see if the organization meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Also, visit the specified charity’s website to learn more about their Ukraine-related activities and whether this is an organization you want to support. Be cautious about event promotions that reference Ukraine without indicating which charity will be helped.
- Don’t assume the entire purchase will benefit the charity, usually it’s just a portion of the normal ticket purchase price. But the volume of tickets sold can add up to big bucks for the charity.
- Don’t assume that all merchandise (such as t-shirts) sold at a charity concert will help the organization, unless they are authorized to do so and specify the connection.
- Charity concert tickets that are being sold at the usual price for such events (i.e., fair market value) are not deductible as charitable gifts for federal income tax purposes.
- Be wary of ticket scalpers. No one likes to pay inflated prices and some concert organizers prohibit this type of third-party sale. Regardless, also remember that selling a ticket at inflated prices does not mean that the designated charity will get more money.
Remember, giving opportunities are not limited to concert sales. If interested in the charity, you can also go to its website directly and donated online.

Video of the Week
As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to revisit a previous video interview with Carolyn Aldige, Founder and CEO of Prevent Cancer Foundation and Lisa McGovern, Executive Director of the Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program. The Prevent Cancer Foundation is a BBB Accredited Charity that supports cancer prevention research, education, and community outreach programs across the United States. The Congressional Families Cancer Prevention Program is an bipartisan activity of the Foundation that seeks to increase the public’s understanding of cancer prevention and early detection. Families of Senate, House, Cabinet, Supreme Court and the Diplomatic Corps are invited to work within their respective constituencies to educate the public.

Heart of Giving Podcast

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features an interview with Matthew Lawlor, Co-Founder and Executive Chair of Ceca Foundation. He talks about the caregiving industry, the challenges being faced by caregivers in the healthcare communities, and the impact that Ceca is making to improve the situation.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
April 13, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: Ukraine Relief Adapts to Changing Circumstances
War has many unpredictable developments. How long will hostilities last? Which areas will be safe? What emergency needs are in high demand? These and other changing circumstances can create challenges for even the most experienced and knowledgeable charity relief efforts. As the war in Ukraine continues to unfold, we have seen news accounts in the past week that impact those in need. Here are some issues that have come to the attention of BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Red Cross Warehouse Struck in Mariupol

News reports including this one from Scripps National indicated that a warehouse building in Mariupol, Ukraine that was marked with a Red Cross symbol was hit by a Russian military strike in late March. CNN noted that this was confirmed by the International Red Cross but the organization added that aid supplies from that facility had already been distributed. Ukraine officials condemned this action as a violation of the 1949 Geneva Convention. This event points to not only the danger in delivering relief in a war torn country but also demonstrates that existing aid supply efforts can be curtailed by violent acts. On the positive side, the American Red Cross announced this week that it has contributed $10 million to the International Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies to address the relief needs both in Ukraine and in surrounding areas.

Difficulties in Delivering Ukraine Aid

In a March 29^th article, Newsweek reported that “Crucial medical supplies earmarked for Ukraine sat stranded in an Arizona warehouse for weeks after the war in the country destroyed the transport routes that charity workers relied on.” While it was noted the supplies are now finally on their way, this transportation and distribution challenge is another example of how relief organizations face unpredictable obstacles in carrying out the best of intentions.

Some Refugees Returning Home

On April 5th, the New York Times reported that a growing number of Ukrainian families that sought refuge in neighboring countries have decided to return home. The article noted that difficulties faced by Ukrainian refugees in terms of language, available space, and financial hardships are causing some to go back to Ukraine despite the risks. Some did not anticipate the war to last this long. In addition, with over 4 million Ukrainian refugees to date, neighboring countries like Poland have been flooded with an unprecedented volume of people in need.

The lessons for donors that seek to help Ukrainians is that relief aid groups need continuing assistance and are likely to welcome their support for many months to come. This also underscores that the most reliable charity relief efforts are still those with experience in handling these difficult situations.

Video of the Week
As part of our Ukraine Relief Charity Interview series, BBB Wise Giving Alliance has produced two more videos: (1) Rebecca Milner, Chief Advancement Officer, International Medical Corps (a BBB Accredited Charity) and (2) Sean Callahan, President & CEO of Catholic Relief Services (a BBB Accredited Charity) each discuss their organization’s relief efforts in and around Ukraine during the crisis in the area.

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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
April 6, 2022
Wise Giving Wednesday: And the Oscar Goes to….Cryptocurrency Donations for Ukraine
During the 94th Academy Awards® that aired Sunday, March 27^th, one of the commercial advertisements during the breaks featured a cryptocurrency service company that provided viewers a web address or QR code link to make a cryptocurrency donation to the International Red Cross for their relief efforts in Ukraine. While this is not the only occasion in Oscar telecast history that charitable generosity was encouraged, it is likely the first time cryptocurrency was introduced as a means to make that donation. To assist those seeking to make cryptocurrency donations to Ukraine, we would like to offer the following advice.

Slow Down. The old adage that haste makes waste can also be applied to charity crypto donations. While the emotion of the moment may encourage you to make an immediate gift, remember that legitimate charities will welcome your donations anytime. Remember to do you due diligence in make an informed giving decision. In some ways this is even more important with crypto donations since it is highly unlikely that you can get your money back if you realize later you made a mistake. If you are uncertain, consider making a credit card gift instead where you have a better chance of reversing an error in judgment.

Always Check Out the Charity. Don’t assume anyone conducting a cryptocurrency donation drive has vetted featured charities. Visit the charity’s website to find out more about what type of relief activities are being provided to the 6.5 million internally displaced people in Ukraine or to the close to 4 million Ukrainian refugees that have fled to neighboring countries. Also visit Give.org to view evaluative reports that specify if the charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Verify the Wallet Address. While social media such as Facebook or Twitter may display ads or communications that provide a convenient wallet address to use to send your cryptocurrency donation, it is safest to go to the charity’s website directly or a trusted crypto-donation platform to make sure the address is genuine. There have already been instances of scams that attempt to redirect the crypto donations by providing a false wallet address in social media that redirects donations to a charlatan’s pockets.

Don’t Share Your Blockchain Passphrase. The passphrase is a 12-word phrase that serves to access your cryptocurrency wallet. If someone is offering assistance to help you make a cryptocurrency donation and asks for your blockchain passphrase or private key, beware. Once they have that access, they can quickly empty your cryptocurrency wallet into their own accounts.

NFT Purchases that Benefit Charity. Some may use cryptocurrency to purchase of NFTs (Non-Fungible Tokens) such as artwork or video clips that are advertised as benefiting a charity. If so, see if the promotion clearly indicates what amount of the purchase will benefit the specified charity. And, check out the charity before you make the purchase. Alternatively, some cryptocurrency donation requests may offer donors a gift, such as an NFT, for those who make cryptocurrency donations. If that is the case, look beyond the offered NFT benefit and find out if the charity is one that you truly want to support.

For additional assistance in making informed giving decisions, visit the resources available at give.org.

Video of the Week
BBB Wise Giving Alliance President & CEO and Host of the Heart of Giving Podcast, Art Taylor, is featured in a video that shares some valuable giving tips to help you make wise giving decisions to help with the ongoing relief efforts in Ukraine. We also feature interviews with 5 of our accredited charities Mercy Corps, Americares, GlobalGiving, MAP International, and USA for UNHCR who were interviewed to discuss their relief efforts in Ukraine.

Heart of Giving Podcast
In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB WGA President & CEO Art Taylor interviews Sarah Welch, Vice President, ideas42. She talks about what got her interested in behavioral science to understand and improve the design of programs and policies and discuss how ideas42’s work is geared towards creating social impact using behavioral science.
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:
Finally, remember to let us know by going to www.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.
March 30, 2022