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Category: Wise Giving Wednesday

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Crowdfunding for Victims of Tragedies and Disasters – New Zealand Shooting, Cyclone Idai and U.S. Midwest Flooding

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Crowdfunding for Victims of Tragedies and Disasters – New Zealand Shooting, Cyclone Idai and U.S. Midwest Flooding

    The world appears to be experiencing acts of terror, tragedies and natural disasters with increasing frequency. Last week, we learned of the horrific mass killing of 50 people and 50 others injured during the March 15th shooting that took place at the Al Noor Mosque and Linwood Islamic Centre in Christchurch, New Zealand. It is difficult to express in words the cruelty of this brutal violence against people gathered in prayer. 

    In Africa, the President of Mozambique announced yesterday that Cyclone Idai had killed more than 1,000 people and the neighboring countries of Malawi and Zimbabwe were also impacted. As reported, people are clinging to rooftops to be rescued. Some are calling this a “massive disaster.”  International relief organizations such as Save the Children are responding to help.

    In the United States, there is record flooding in Iowa and Nebraska as well as parts of South Dakota, Ohio, Wisconsin, Missouri and Illinois. Melting snow and record rainfalls have resulted in overflowing rivers and levees. Hundreds have fled homes for safety. While the water has receded in some places, there is much anticipated damage and destruction. Major disaster relief organizations such as the American Red Cross and Salvation Army are engaged in assisting impacted populations.

    All of these events have motivated generous donors to make contributions to those in need. While some recognize and support the vital role filled by established and experienced relief organizations, others are turning to a variety of crowdfunding websites to support postings requesting help. For example, one New Zealand based crowdfunding site has a posting that has raised almost $7 million for the shooting victims and their families. Another crowdfunding site that is focused on Muslims helping others has raised another $2.3 million of aid for the shooting victims in Christchurch.

    BBB Wise Giving Alliance continues to recommend contributing to experienced relief organizations that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, particularly in the wake of natural disasters. Visit Give.org to access reports on these and other charities. Experienced relief organizations are more likely to provide quick and effective assistance. However, if crowdfunding is being considered, we offer the following additional advice:

    Give to people and organizations you know. While charities can be vetted, it is much more difficult to assess the trustworthiness of individuals who have posted a request for assistance. As a result, it is safest to give to crowdfunding postings of people you personally know. If that is not possible, the next best circumstance is to find out if the funds collected by a posting are going to be forwarded and distributed by an established charitable organization. In that case, the organization can be checked out and the involvement of a third-party organization can provide an additional level of oversight and assurance.

    Not all crowdfunding sites operate alike.  Some crowdfunding platforms do a better job of vetting postings and projects that appear on their site than others. Review the site’s description of its procedures. If they do take precautions, they generally announce that fact loudly to help encourage giving. For example, if a posting is claiming to be raising funds to help a victim and/or their family after a tragedy or disaster one site holds the funds collected and distributes them directly to the identified family. For other sites, the giver is relying on the individual to follow through on their promised assistance.

    Don’t assume pictures are used with permission.  Unfortunately, some crowdfunding postings may be using pictures of victims without the permission of their families. As a result, you can’t assume the poster has an official connection. Again, each site has different rules on what they allow. As a donor, it is up to you to approach with caution, especially after a disaster or tragedy.

    Your contribution may not be deductible as a charitable gift. If a crowdfunding posting is claiming to be helping a specific named individual or family, donors in the U.S. generally cannot take a federal income tax deduction, even if the individual or family is in need. See IRS Publication 526, page 6, for more information on this subject.  On the other hand, if you are giving to a charitable organization that is helping a group of needy individuals and you are not restricting your gift to a specific person, then you can generally take a deduction. Additional factors should also be considered such as whether the crowdfunding site is being run by a charity or a for-profit firm. See a previous Wise Giving Guide article for more information about how this might impact deductibility. Also, if the crowdfunding post is made by a charity that is not in the U.S., it would generally not be deductible even though a charity is receiving the gift.

    See if the posting describes how funds will be used. Vague descriptions of how the collected funds will be used should also be a yellow caution light. For example, will the funds be used to assist funeral expenses, medical expenses, reconstruction, or other activities? Thoughtful requests for funding will take the added step of identifying and verifying needs before money is raised.

    Check out recent announcements to avoid duplication of effort. For example, regarding the Christchurch shootings, the Washington Post reported that the New Zealand Prime Minister “pledged to cover the funeral costs of all 50 victims and offer financial assistance to families.” If a quickly formed crowding posting raised money for funeral expenses, they would probably need to ask donors if funds could be used for an alternative purpose.

    Video of the Week

    As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Pamela Timmons, Executive Director of Good Shepherd Ministries of Oklahoma (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to provide free health care for those who are low-income and uninsured in Oklahoma City, including medical services, dental services and prescription medications.

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Donor Trust and Celebrity Fundraising

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Donor Trust and Celebrity Fundraising

    As shown in the Give.org Donor Trust Report released in 2019, some donors will put their trust in a celebrity to help those in need when disaster strikes. Of the 2,100 adults surveyed, 17.75% of respondents said that they contributed to a celebrity’s disaster relief fundraising effort during 2018. This was more popular among younger generations, with 31.75% of Millennials saying they contributed to such celebrity activities compared to 5.53% of Baby Boomers. The most popular reason cited for having donated to a celebrity’s disaster relief fundraiser was being a fan of the celebrity, followed by trust in the celebrity’s ability to choose.

    Whether they are athletes or astronauts, movie stars or media moguls, celebrities are often in the spotlight and have significant opportunities to bring attention to their favorite causes or charities. This has certainly helped countless charities over the years who have benefitted from these promotions. One related phenomenon involves celebrities that create their own charitable organizations, especially after a natural disaster or tragic event that can generate high emotion and spur some to action. While this may generate significant additional donations, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips when considering contributions to charities that are newly created by celebrities:

    Is there a plan?

    Whether the new celebrity created charity is funding disaster relief or other urgent needs, has it announced a plan about what specific activities it wishes to fund? For example, immediate shelter, food distribution, medical treatment, paying for funeral expenses, financial aid, or long term construction projects to rebuild broken neighborhoods?  The possibilities are almost endless but an unfocused effort will likely have a scattered and less than desirable impact on the problem(s) it seeks to address.

    What is the proposed budget?

    While every charity wants to raise as much as possible for their cause, even a new celebrity created charity should have some type of financial target based on identified goals to achieve some objective. While donors may be excited and inspired when they hear media reports citing a new large sum being raised, the charity may need to quickly adapt its proposed budget to accommodate this growing generosity.

    Who’s in charge?

    While some celebrities have demonstrated impressive leadership qualities by creating charities that have grown into established and cherished institutions, that is more of the exception than the rule. For most, managing a not-for-profit organization is a learning experience that can succeed or go awry if the celebrity does not seek out appropriate help to manage and administer the organization in a professional manner. For examples, while relatives or friends may be trusted by the celebrity, they may not have the qualifications to properly run an organization. In turn, seeking out experienced individuals to serve on the charity’s board could be an important first step in good oversight and provide needed guidance to do the right thing.

    How quickly can they deliver?

    When money is being raised for disaster relief purposes, some donors will expect the charity to spend funds almost as quickly as they are contributed. Depending on the nature of the organization’s activities, this expectation may not be realistic, but can influence donor perceptions about the organization. This is where program plans and proposed budgets can play an important role in avoiding decisions delays in carrying out the organization’s work.

    Are they transparent on progress?

    As audited financial statements and/or IRS Form 990’s for the fiscal year that includes disaster event expenses will usually take some time before they are available, charities would be wise to periodically update their program progress on their website. This transparency can be developed quickly and could result in generating additional confidence in the organization’s abilities.

    Has it registered with appropriate government agencies?

    New charities will also need to file for charitable tax-exempt status with the IRS. In addition, charities will need to register with the appropriate state government agencies (usually a division of the office of the state attorney general or the secretary of state.) If the charity is soliciting on a national basis, it may need to register with about 40 of the 50 states.  In Canada, charities will need to register with Revenue Canada.

    Video of the Week

    As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video interview of Lynn O’Connor Vos, President and CEO, Muscular Dystrophy Association (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to cure muscular dystrophy, ALS, and related diseases by funding worldwide research and provide comprehensive health care and support services, advocacy, and education.

    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

     

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: New York State Attorney General Shuts Down Charity Telemarketing Firm

    Wise Giving Wednesday: New York State Attorney General Shuts Down Charity Telemarketing Firm

    On March 26 th, New York State Attorney General Eric Schneiderman issued a press release announcing that it had shut down a telemarketing firm ( Menacola Marketing) that was soliciting on behalf of the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation (NVVF.)  New York State indicates that the National Vietnam Veterans Foundation was previously shut down by the Attorney General in 2016 due to deceptive solicitations. 

    As stated, “Under the settlement, Menacola will dissolve and its principals… are permanently barred from fundraising for charity.” The principals will also pay $100,000 that will be distributed to reputable charities supporting veterans. 

    Prior to 2016, BBB Wise Giving Alliance had sent written requests to NVVF over a number of years and had not received any of the requested materials or information.   

    BBB WGA encourages donors to check out charities at Give.org before making a donation, especially in response to telemarketing requests for funding. 

    Video of the Week 

    As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Ron Carter, President & CEO, of Children, Incorporated (a BBB Accredited Charity) which is a child sponsorship organization that seeks to improve children’s lives through greater access to education and basic needs assistance.   In 2017, the organization reports that it works across the United States and in 22 additional countries. 

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: The GAAP in Charity Financial Figures

    Wise Giving Wednesday: The GAAP in Charity Financial Figures

    As a former independent auditor, it’s hard for me to imagine a world in which there are no standards for charity financial statements. In such a world, organizations could produce financial statements without regard to how other groups report their financial transactions.  The public would never know the basis of charity financial statistics in financial summaries or media references.  Comparisons between organizations would be a guessing game, at best.  Of course, such financial anarchy makes no sense and defeats the objectives of reliability, relevance, comparability and understandability that help make up some of the core objectives of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP).   Yet in the real world there are many instances where financial presentations do not comport with GAAP. It’s not always clear to readers, however, when this occurs so here are three tips to help guide your use of charity financial information. 

    1. Recognize the Reliability of Audited Financial Statements:  As a standards-based charity evaluator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance is especially sympathetic to the importance 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 BBB Charity Standards prefer to use a charity’s audited financial statements as opposed to the IRS Form 990.  Audited financial statements are prepared in accordance with GAAP 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. 

    2. Identify the Source of Financial Information:  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. 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.

    3. Watch Out for Non-GAAP Financial Statistics:  Even if a charity’s audited financial statements are the source of financial summaries or ratios referenced on websites or other sources, be mindful that sometimes these use numbers that have been re-calculated. They may omit, reclassify or add figures that alter the summary from a GAAP presentation. Unfortunately, these financial stats are not always clearly labeled to inform users of these changes. For example, referenced charity financial ratios may omit in-kind gifts or reject certain GAAP practices (e.g. see Wise Giving Guide story on joint-cost allocation).  Please note that the financial section of reports produced by BBB WGA will specify if BBB WGA has questioned the charity’s audited financial statements if BBB WGA believes that GAAP has not been followed. 

    On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Mark Bergel, Ph.D., Founder and Executive Director of A Wider Circle (a BBB Accredited Charity).  A Wider Circle is an organization that works to end poverty for individuals and families by collecting and distributing donated goods, providing professional attire, job preparedness courses, and a well-baby program. 

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Is it Difficult to Verify Trust in a Charity?

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Is it Difficult to Verify Trust in a Charity?

    As the holiday season is upon us, many will be opening up their hearts and wallets to various charitable organizations. Regular readers of this blog know that we frequently caution donors to be mindful of their contribution decisions and to check out charities before making a gift. Back in 2001, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance commissioned a detailed survey on donor attitudes (via phone interviews) and found about 7 out of 10 adults (70 percent) thought it was difficult to know whether a particular charity soliciting contributions was legitimate (i.e., actually did the good work they claimed to do and operated ethically.)  As part of the Give.org Donor Trust Report conducted in the past year, we similarly asked donors (via an online panel) how easy or difficult it is to know whether a particular charity is trustworthy. This time, however, only 40 percent said it was difficult. What might have caused this dramatic improvement in the perceived ease in verifying trust in a charity?

    There are a number of possible explanations for this improved comfort level. Some of it may be due to the rise in online sources of information, practically every charity has its own website. In addition, there has been improved access to the IRS Form 990 (the annual financial information form completed by charities), growth in the number of charity monitoring groups, more frequent educational outreach about charity fraud by U.S. federal and state government authorities and media attention about charities accused of significant missteps. All of this and more probably factors in to changes in the public’s perceived ability to verify trust in a charity.

    On the other hand, there are generational differences in this issue. As outlined in the Give.org Donor Trust Report, 49 percent of matures (ages 72-89) believed that verifying trust in a charity is more difficult compared to just 38% of Millennials (ages 20-36) and 33% of Generation Z (ages 18 and 19.) 

    DonorTrust Gen Stat

    In our view, verifying charity trustworthiness takes effort, as demonstrated by the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability which addresses charity governance, results reporting, finances, appeal accuracy, among other things.  Nevertheless, we hope the thorough charity evaluations on Give.org contributes to strengthen the ability of contributors to make informed giving decisions.

    Video of the Week

    We are pleased to provide a video of the week that features an interview with Rebecca Bowen, Executive Vice President and Chief Advancement Officer with YMCA of the USA (a BBB Accredited Charity.) Ms. Bowen discusses donor trust and opportunities and barriers related to engaging younger donors.

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Photographs in Charity Appeals

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Photographs in Charity Appeals

    Earlier this year, Wise Giving Wednesday featured a news item about an alleged fundraising fraud involving the use of a photo of a boy fighting cancer. When we hear about things like this, our heart sinks and we wonder how someone can commit such an unconscionable act in the name of philanthropy. 

    This previous story also brings to mind the power that pictures have to motivate many to give.  They grab our attention and can bring an emotional response: a suffering child, an abused animal, a refugee camp, or an area devastated by natural disaster. The vast majority of appeals today whether online or in your mailbox will include one or more photographs or pictures to help illustrate the problem or issue that the charity is seeking to address. Recipients may not review all the solicitation copy, but they all see the pictures. 

    The potential power of photos is all the more reason we believe that charities need to make sure that they are making accurate use of them. For example, if an appeal includes a picture of a child assisted by the charity, readers will likely assume that it is a relatively recent photograph unless told otherwise. If, for some reason, a photo is more than three years old, we believe the fundraising copy should note its age. When old photos appear in appeals, it does not necessarily reflect an intent to deceive. Rather, a charity may decide to reuse all or part of a successful fundraising letter long past the time it was first distributed, and may inadvertently distribute photos past their prime. 

    Another potential problem that can occur is the use of photos of past similar events – such as an earthquake or a hurricane. Again, unless told otherwise, potential donors will assume the pictures they see displayed in appeals reflect the current natural disaster and not a past one.  Relief organizations should properly identify photos if they are not depicting the specific tragedy described in the solicitation.  

    BBB Charity Standard 15 calls for solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, to be accurate, truthful and not misleading, both in whole and in part.  If appeals include outdated photos that are represented as being current, the charity will not meet this standard. 

    As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Ambassador Daniel Speckhard (Rt.), President & CEO, Lutheran World Relief (a BBB Accredited Charity) which works to improve the lives of smallholder farmers and people experiencing poverty in Africa, Asia and Latin America, both in times of emergencies and for the long term. The organization reports that, with the financial support of US Lutherans and other donors, it strengthens communities to achieve lasting results through programs in agriculture, climate, and emergency operations. 

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: The Increasing Number of New Charities in the U.S.

    Wise Giving Wednesday: The Increasing Number of New Charities in the U.S.

    In 2014, the IRS introduced a new, simpler application form for charitable tax-exempt status – the IRS Form 1023-EZ.  Some were apprehensive about making it easier to obtain charitable-exempt status in view of the existing 1.2 million charities in the United States. Instead of a 28-page application form, the three-page EZ version was now available for groups with annual gross receipts of $50,000 or less.  (In fairness, the IRS has a seven-page eligibility worksheet that must be reviewed to determine if the EZ Form is applicable.) As reported in The Chronicle of Philanthropy, for the fiscal year ended September 30, 2015, the IRS approved over 86,000 applications for 501(c)(3) charity status.  Prior to 2013, the annual volume of approved applications was below 50,000 new groups. 

    As if the new charity floodgates were not open wide enough, however, the IRS recently announced that effective July 1, 2016 the user fee to process the IRS Form 1023-EZ was decreased from $400 to $275.  While it is too soon to tell how much this reduced fee will further impact the increasing volume of new charities, it is good bet that it will not be a deterrent. 

    On the other hand, some view the size of the American charitable sector as an asset in terms of helping to generate new ideas and approaches to the growing needs and challenges charities face each day.  For donors, however, the challenge they face is in making informed giving decisions about new charities that have no track record or experience. 

    Many of the items included in the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability cover recommended practices that are applicable to even new organizations such as:  including clear program descriptions in appeals and on its website, having an adequate board size, not having the CEO also serve as board chair, not engaging in transactions with board or staff-member related firms that result in a conflict of interest, having a board-approved budget that identifies projected expenses on programs, fundraising and administrative expenses, and including a privacy policy on the charity’s website. 

    As the volume of new charities continues to increase, the BBB Charity Standards can provide guidance that can help these organizations avoid accountability pitfalls while also being transparent to donors.

    On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Barry Lynn, Executive Director of Americans United for Separation of Church and State (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to preserve the separation of church and state through litigation, advocacy, and educational efforts. 

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Youth Philanthropy

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Youth Philanthropy

    Growing up in the South Philadelphia area, one of my earliest experiences with a chartable organization was with the local YMCA as explained in a previous Huffington Post piece that I wrote two years ago about “Giving Back.”  The lessons learned from that experience shaped my initial understanding of philanthropy and its important role in society in providing help and hope to those in need. Most everyone has their own introduction to charity at an early age ranging from class projects to support an identified organization, the “Trick-or-Treat for UNICEF” campaign during Halloween, donating used clothing to neighborhood organizations or helping a house of worship raise funds to assist a family in trouble due to a fire or other tragedy. 

    While the desire to help others resides within everyone, the changing culture and technology can influence how younger generations learn to express such feelings. The interest in reaching out is still there but there are so many more options today for those seeking to assist. We can encourage acquaintances to support a favored group via our Facebook connections, visit a crowdfunding site to donate to an individual’s requested needs or challenge friends to pour a bucket of ice on our heads and support the ALS Association. The variations of youth philanthropy today are as varied as websites on the Internet. 

    This growing diversity of youth philanthropy also provides an opportunity – a chance to spread the word about the significance of verifying the trustworthiness of supported groups to help ensure that the good results we seek are carried out with responsibility and good stewardship. Youth today are already exposed to a variety of advisories about the importance of good nutrition, health and education. Responsible philanthropy is not that much of a leap from those other encouragements.  We hope that young contributors also take the time to use the resources on Give.org to learn about good charity practices and whether their selected charity is meeting them. 

    As part of our Building trust video series, we are pleased to provide our short interview with Kevin Washington, President and CEO of YMCA of the USA (a BBB Accredited Charity) who speaks about programs that influence and shape young people.  YMCA of the USA serves as the national resource for the Y to strengthen its member associations ability to effectively carry out the YMCA mission in their communities. 

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Charities Fighting Poverty

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Charities Fighting Poverty

    Even though charity is quite broad in the scope of activities falling under its definition, when we hear the word “charity,” most of us first think of helping those in need.  At its core, that objective is about fighting poverty, which by its nature, is a complex issue that is impacted by a range of contributing factors.  To some, it might be unemployment or the ability to make ends meet in minimum wage jobs.  To others, it’s about the challenges of illiteracy or the lack of adequate education. While the list of potential causes is almost endless, we are encouraged by the promise of assistance that so many charities provide in communities across the country and around the globe. 

    No one organization can address all the ills that poverty brings, but charities devoted to this mission do their part to help alleviate some of poverty’s persistent problems, one person at a time, through a variety of means: 

    • Malnutrition:  Food banks, meal delivery services, and other food distribution organizations help provide access to adequate nutrition for individuals as well as their families
    • Unemployment: Job training programs help prepare individuals for new careers
    • Education: Literacy programs range from children’s book distributions to teaching programs helping incarcerated adults
    • Health: Health care access programs reach out to those who are unable to afford the care they need
    • Homelessness: From homeless shelters to soup kitchens, a range of organizations are seeking to help the homeless population each day 

    In turn, no one donor can solve poverty by an individual gift, but one can make informed choices by making sure the organization’s program activities are clearly described on both their websites and in appeals. And, by visiting Give.org, one can verify the trustworthiness of the charity by seeing if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. 

    On a related noted, as part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video of David Barringer, CEO, National Council of the U.S. Society of St. Vincent de Paul (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to help millions of people each year through home visits, housing assistance, disaster relief, job training, food pantries, clothing, care for the elderly, and other charitable activities. 

    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

  • Wise Giving Wednesday: Helping Brussels Victims & Crowdfunding Requests

    Wise Giving Wednesday: Helping Brussels Victims & Crowdfunding Requests

    The horrible terrorist attack that occurred in Brussels on March 22 nd has stirred our hearts and has motivated some donors to do what they can to help the victims.  After a tragedy or disaster, crowdfunding sites are usually one of the first to post requests to assist victims and their families.  However, we caution potential contributors to keep the following cautions in mind.

    1. Watch out for those seeking to take advantage of high public sympathy immediately after a tragedy.  A crowdfunding request may have no official connection to the victims, their families and/or may be using photos of victims without the families’ permission.
    2. Don’t assume that the crowdfunding site has vetted any postings for assistance.  Each site has its own process for posting requests and some may not require anything more than a Facebook page and PayPal account.
    3. If the crowdfunding request is claiming to be raising funds to pass along to an established charity engaged in victim relief, consider giving to the charity directly as crowdfunding sites can charge fundraisers anywhere from 4% to 20% of the total amount donated.  Also, check out established charities on Give.org to verify if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability .
    4. When tragedy strikes overseas, foreign-based charities will likely be engaged in providing help to victims.  Keep in mind it will be more difficult to check out such organizations. However, the charity’s website should provide some level of transparency on their operations, finances and governing board oversight.  If interested in supporting such groups, find out if they have an American based affiliate that is eligible to receive donations on their behalf.
    5. If the crowdfunding collection is raising funds to help specific named victim(s)or their families, contributions may not be deductible as charitable gifts for federal income tax purposes.  (See IRS Publication 526.)  Also, contributions to foreign-based charities are generally not deductible as well.

    As always, donors will have many opportunities to help. Don’t assume that the needs of victims disappear when the headlines do.

    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 that has not been evaluated by us and we will do our best to produce one.

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