Category: Wise Giving Wednesday

Wise Giving Wednesday: Value of U.S. Volunteer Time
As reported by Independent Sector (a leadership network for nonprofits, foundations and corporations committed to advancing the common good) earlier this month, about 62.8 million Americans or 25.3 percent of the adult population, gave 7.9 billion hours of volunteer service worth $184 million in 2014. These stats were developed by the Corporation for National and Community Service. The estimated value of this volunteer time is $23.56 per hour. The states with the six highest values of volunteer time are the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Washington, Connecticut, California and New York.

As organizations seek to make the best use of available resources, volunteering is being recognized as an increasingly important and valuable way of engaging supporters, particularly among Millennial donors who may not be able to make cash donations. As donors consider volunteer options for the charities they care about, we also urge them to verify the charity’s trustworthiness by accessing our reports to verify if it meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video featuring an interview with Peter Bale, CEO of The Center for Public Integrity (a BBB Accredited Charity.) The Center conducts nonpartisan, independent investigative journalism about money in politics, the environment, labor, juvenile justice, national security, business, and health.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday: Crowdfunding Tips
During the holiday season, as donors seek to assist those in need, some will be drawn to the requests for help appearing on Crowdfunding websites. Donors should keep in mind, however, that not all crowdfunding sites operate in the same way. Below are some tips excerpted from the crowdfunding cover story that appeared in a previous edition of the Wise Giving Guide magazine:

Charities can be checked Crowdfunding websites run by charitable organizations can provide opportunities to learn more about the organization’s programs, finances and whether they are registered to solicit with state government agencies. In addition, third-party sources such as reports on Give.org can help donors verify that the charities meet recognized standards.

Be especially careful after a disaster or tragedy Watch out for those seeking to take advantage of high public sympathy immediately after a disaster or tragedy by setting up a crowdfunding project that may have no official connection to any charitable organization and may be using names and photos of victims without the families’ permission.

Specialized crowdfunding sites may be more adept If a crowdfunding sites specializes in a particular kind of activity such as medical funding, school projects ( DonorsChoose.org ) or overseas development ( GlobalGiving.org ), there is a greater chance they will have the experience and skills to engage in more oversight over the featured projects.

Read the fine print Crowdfunding sites vary in terms of whether the donors or the project organizer will be charged for site administrative costs and credit card fees. If a project does not achieve its targeted fundraising goal, sites also vary as to whether the donation will be refunded.

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Besa Pinchotti, Communications Director of the National Military Family Association (a BBB Accredited Charity). The NMFA is an organization that works to strengthen and protect Uniformed Services families through its advocacy activities and programs that include spouse scholarships, camps for military kids, and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and the families of the wounded, ill and injured.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday: Charitable Weddings
With the start of spring and warmer weather also comes thoughts of weddings and other planned happy events. As reported in the Sydney Morning Herald on March 17, 2017, however, one 24-year old young lady faced a broken engagement and a canceled April 8 ^th wedding reception that already had a no-return deposit. Instead of facing a depressing circumstance, she made a rather generous lemonade by converting the canceled wedding reception into a five-course charity ball to benefit an organization that helps people out of poverty. As she was quoted in the Herald, “There are women in different socioeconomic situations overseas that often don’t have the same freedom to say ‘ no’ to marrying Mr. Wrong ….” When they found out about what happened, florists and other hired services offered reduced fees. The new charity fundraiser takes place in a few weeks and is generating attention and contributions.

This story is certainly inspiring and demonstrates how personal heartbreak can be turned into a wonderful opportunity to help others. This wedding-charity connection is also showing up in other circumstances. The New York Times ran a story a few days ago, “ For Those Who Have It All, Charitable Wedding Registries,” that noted that some wedding couples are offering invited guests the option of making donations to a specified charity instead of bringing wedding gifts. Of course, choosing a charity that everyone will want to support may be a significant factor in how much money may be raised in this manner.

Some believe that giving to charity is often an emotionally-motivated decision. If so, a wedding celebration appears to provide a welcome connection of expressing good thoughts about others. Even in such circumstances, we encourage couples, before they say “I do,” to make sure to check out the trustworthiness of the selected benefiting charity by visiting Give.org to verify if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video of Ranjani Saigal, Executive Director of the Ekal Vidalaya Foundation of USA (a BBB Accredited Charity) which runs single-teacher multi-grade schools in 53,000 remote rural villages in India. The schools teach literacy, numeracy, provide health awareness, civic awareness, and financial literacy.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday – Building Trust Part 13
Annual Financial Statements

When people are asked about a charity’s “transparency,” the most likely response is whether the charity makes its financial statements available. Although BBB WGA believes that true transparency, as reflected by the broad scope of our 20 BBB Charity Standards, means much more than just access to financial statements, it is nevertheless a fundamental part of charity accountability. BBB Charity Standard 11 calls for soliciting organizations to make available to all, on request, complete annual financial statements prepared in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). When the charity’s income exceeds $500,000, these statements should be prepared by an outside auditor (i.e., Certified Public Accountant). If the charity’s income is less than this, the standard identifies other, lower cost, alternative financial presentations.

I want to point out some very key aspects of this standard. One is that despite the popularity of the IRS Form 990 due to its availability on the Internet, BBB WGA has always used the charity’s audited financial statement as the preferred source for the financial part of its accountability assessments. This preference, in part, recognizes that audit reports have a greater deal of reliability than the Form 990, are more comparable since they are based on recognized accounting rules (GAAP), and incorporate some income items (i.e., donated services and unrealized gains and losses on investments) that are not allowed to be included as part of revenue in IRS Form 990. In other words, audited financial statements provide a more complete financial picture of the organization.

As noted above, we recognize the vital importance of generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) in helping to ensure the objectivity and consistency of financial information being used in our evaluations and resulting reports. If BBB WGA finds a significant inconsistency with GAAP based on the auditor’s opinion or BBB WGA’s analysis, the subject charity will not meet this standard. And, the specific reason will be explained in our report.

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Joseph H. Haggerty, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer of United Way Worldwide (a BBB Accredited Charity). Joe provides a brief overview of United Way activities and explains what they do to help strengthen donor trust.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday: Child Sponsorship Charities
Charities offering child sponsorship have been successfully soliciting the public for decades. Usually, potential donors are asked to contribute a monthly amount to assist needy children within a community overseas or in the United States. Many of these groups also offer sponsors the opportunity to receive letters from the child being assisted. For some donors, this connection with an individual helps provide a better understanding of how their dollars are making a difference and creates an emotional connection with the cause. You’re not just helping the needy, you’re aiding little Anna.

It is important to keep in mind, that not all child sponsorship organizations operate in the same way. While some organizations might offer the ability to have a one-on-one donor-connection with an individual child, the more likely circumstance is that donations are pooled with others and are used to support projects intended to benefit the local community where the child lives. For example, building schools, providing medical care, digging water wells or distributing food. The charity’s website and materials should clearly explain how they carry out their sponsorship work.

While child sponsorship charities also offer the ability to donate one-time gifts for certain projects, the child sponsorship option generally involves a longer commitment of continuing contributions. This is all the more reason to verify the trustworthiness of the group by visiting Give.org to see if it meets the BBB Charity Standards.

For additional information about child sponsorship considerations, visit the following page on Give.org.

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Janet Mintzer, President & CEO, Pearl S. Buck International (a BBB Accredited Charity) which carries out international exchange programs, cultural appreciation and education programs, child sponsorship, humanitarian aid, public exhibits, and the preservation and interpretation of the Pearl S. Buck House.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday – Donor Engagement
While most charities keep good records of the cumulative value of a donor’s gifts, a growing number of charities are recognizing the added value of engaging donors as part of their outreach activities. In a previous blog, I addressed the significant role that volunteering has in philanthropy. But, engagement can be much more diverse than volunteer opportunities. It can take the form of providing an opportunity to exchange views on websites, informing supporters about relevant lectures or presentations in their area and other outreach activities that help bring more attention to the importance of the charity’s cause.

As part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Collin O’Mara, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Federation (a BBB Accredited Charity). As you will see in Collin’s video interview, the National Wildlife Federation understands the importance of public outreach in seeking to get children and families more connected with nature, wildlife and the outdoors. For example. their well-known Ranger Rick educational program is geared to engaging youth in environmental issues. This success provides an important lesson beyond just environmental causes and shows how interactions between donors and charities can be more than just a donation – it can be a learning experience and a chance to build stronger bonds between organizations and supporters.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday: Donating During a Pandemic
As coronavirus continues to impact our daily lives, donors may want to consider helping well run charities that are already experiencing financial challenges. This is especially true for organizations that are cancelling fundraising events to comply with health restrictions that reduce exposure to the virus. These cancellations can range anywhere from walkathons to benefit performances. So, if you received one of these cancellation notices, BBB Wise Giving Alliance encourages you to make a donation to the charity despite this. Of course, we hope potential contributors will also review the charity reports at Give.org to verify that the organization meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

An article posted yesterday in The Chronicle of Philanthropy recommends that charities reach out to their donors now and communicate with them about their situation not only in terms of finances but their ability to carry out their activities. This is particularly important for organizations engaged in social services that are experiencing challenges involving staff availability, restrictions on travel, and other limitations.

This situation is probably a good incentive for charities to also consider collaboration alternatives. Working with other charities that share common goals may be a way to make more effective use of available resources and perhaps avoid some of the anticipated reduction in available services to those in need.

Donors might also consider reaching out to charities on their own, to see what they can do to help. Charities will appreciate the contact but be mindful that some may be short-staffed at this time which could impact their ability to respond quickly.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video interview with Ethan Collins, Nurse Executive, Health Wagon (aka St. Mary’s Health Wagon), a BBB Accredited Charity that seeks to provide health care to medically underserved people in Southwest Virginia. Health Wagon provides acute and chronic disease management, lab services, immunizations, physical assessments, dental and eye clinics, medication and pharmacy assistance, referrals, and community health fairs.

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.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday: New Power
As one of the founders of the annual GivingTuesday charity contribution campaign, Henry Timms is viewed as one of the nonprofit sector’s big thinkers. He has teamed up with Jeremy Heimans to write New Power – How Movements Build, Thrive, and Ideas Catch Fire in Our Hyper Connected World. New Power lays out the one of the most important skills of the 21^st century: the ability to harness the power of the connected world. It lays out essential tools for organizations to be successful in the future – from how to spread a charity’s ideas to making change in an organization, and how to lead. It will help organizations and its leaders get ahead of change.

I am especially fascinated by this book because my career evolved under the old power structure, where central authorities with massive amounts of capital, talent and knowledge controlled the world, in the form of governments, businesses and large scale social service entities that acted as intermediaries. Small entities and individuals had great difficulty competing for a share of the power. While these large centrally controlled entities still have great advantage, they are pressed in the new world to collaborate in asymmetrical ways to stay on top. New power is enabled by the hyper connected world, the ability of us to work, play and learn with people everywhere without intermediaries. Connectivity in combination with ubiquitous information makes possible lower entry points for collaboration, innovation and the production of power. Smaller entities and people can do what only larger organizations could years ago.

This should be music to the more nimble and under resourced charities. By exercising new power organizations can reduce the risk of experimentation, transaction costs for working together and maybe solve some pressing societal problems. This book explains why some groups are falling behind and others are leaping ahead.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Kim Callinan, CEO, Compassion & Choices (a BBB Accredited Charity) that seeks to provide education, advocacy, media outreach and litigation to expand end-of-life options and improve medical care. The organization reports it works nationwide in state legislatures, Congress, courts, medical settings and communities to empower people with information and tools, including its free consultation program, to receive healthcare that is consistent with their values and priorities as they approach the end of life.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday – Crowdfunding & Philanthropy
The crowdfunding concept got its start over 15 years ago as a means to collect small gifts from a large group of people to support a project, person or organization. Within a short time it grew in both the for-profit and charitable marketplace, to become what is now a well-recognized means of raising funds online. One of the earliest charity entrants in this space is GlobalGiving.org which began a website that enabled donors to fund grassroots projects from around the world that are working to address a variety of needs such as education, housing and job skills. As part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Mari Kuraishi, one of the founders and the current President of GlobalGiving (a BBB Accredited Charity). Under her leadership, the organization has raised over $188 million since 2002 from over 475,000 donors and funded 12,500 projects around the world.

Donors should keep in mind, however, that not all crowdfunding sites operate in the same way. Below are some tips excerpted from the crowdfunding cover story that appeared in a previous edition of the Wise Giving Guide magazine:
- Charities can be checked
Crowdfunding websites run by charitable organizations (such as GlobalGiving) can provide opportunities to learn more about the organization’s programs, finances and whether they are registered to solicit with state government agencies. In addition, third-party sources such as reports on Give.org can help donors verify that the charities meet recognized standards.
- Be especially careful after a disaster or tragedy
Watch out for those seeking to take advantage of high public sympathy immediately after a disaster or tragedy by setting up a crowdfunding project that may have no official connection to any charitable organization and may be using names and photos of victims without the families’ permission.
- Specialized crowdfunding sites may be more adept
If a crowdfunding sits specializes in a particular kind of activity such as medical funding, school projects or overseas development, there is a greater chance they will have the experience and skills to engage in more oversight over the featured projects.
- Read the fine print
Crowdfunding sites vary in terms of whether the donors or the project organizer will be charged for site administrative costs and credit card fees. If a project does not achieve its targeted fundraising goal, sites also vary as to whether the donation will be refunded.

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 https://www.give.org/ask-us-about-a-charity1/ if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020
Wise Giving Wednesday: What Donors Should Know About the Impact of COVID-19 on Charities
As the number of COVID-19 cases continue to grow across the United States, BBB Wise Giving Alliance reached out to a number of executives at BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., charities that meet all 20 BBB Charity Standards) and asked them what they wish donors better understood about charities during this pandemic. We heard a variety of important perspectives that are highlighted here as well as in the video shared below. One of the most significant concerns raised is that charities will face both short and long term consequences, particularly those organizations addressing basic needs such as food banks. Many of them are anticipating that next year (2021) will place greater demands on their services than they are experiencing now. That prediction is very disconcerting as we have all seen news photos of endless lines of cars waiting to receive food distributions at these facilities.

This increasing demand for help is also a reminder of the vital role charitable organizations play in addressing urgent needs, not only here in the U.S. but across the globe. It’s important to remember to also support charities that work to assist needy communities in other nations. The pandemic is a world-wide crisis not just a domestic one.

Another valuable lesson charities have expressed is the recognition in maintaining sufficient reserves so that they can bridge difficult times when fundraising revenues fall short or when demands placed on their services grow to unexpected levels. In the past, some charities, especially smaller organizations, had difficulties in developing reserves that would cover at least three months of expenses. This pandemic has demonstrated that even that amount may not be sufficient for some organizations to maintain their operations during a health crisis such as this.

Finally, donors are encouraged to also support organizations they care about that may not be directly engaged in addressing COVID-19 related needs. As these groups need continuing help as well, you don’t need to wait for their appeal before you send them your next contribution.

Video of the Week

BBB Wise Giving Alliance is proud of our network of trusted BBB Accredited Charities, which are rising to the challenge of dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic. This week, Art Taylor speaks to a number of charity executives about what they think donors should know about the impact of COVID-19 on 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:
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.

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
July 17, 2020