As Americans, we sometimes assume we are the only ones facing the problems we see within our shores and don’t take the time to see how other nations tackle similar concerns. Philanthropy is no different, especially in terms of charity accountability. At our upcoming charity conference on June 12th, we will hear about charity accountability programs in other countries such as Germany and Taiwan and learn how cultural differences might influence donor trust in charities and fundraising strategies. It will be a surprise to some that many of the same trust challenges faced in the U.S. are also experienced around the world.
The panel discussion on this global subject will be moderated by Lindsey Coates, Executive Vice President of InterAction, an alliance of 180 organizations engaged in such areas as international or domestic relief and development.
Robert Zachritz, Vice President for Advocacy & Government Relations, World Vision United States
Also, as a growing number of American charities are looking into expanding their outreach activities to other parts of the world, this forum will provide a great opportunity to identify both similarities and differences in terms of accountability issues faced by charities.
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
The study BBB Wise Giving Alliance released last week (Give.org Special Report: COVID-19 and the Charitable Sector) provided results of two surveys: a survey of more than 1,000 adults in the U.S., and another directed at 118 BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., charities that met all BBB Charity Standards).
According to the charity survey, 26.1% of charities anticipating decreased revenue in 2020 identified donors redirecting charitable contributions to businesses in need as one of the factors they believe will drive decreased revenue. In turn, 23.9% of individuals surveyed said they plan to give money to small business (directly or via crowdfunding). The survey further found that:
–While most respondents plan to support such businesses in more traditional ways, like buying products when possible (64.2%) or buying gift cards (16.9%), gifting money to small businesses may alter the charity scene.
–Younger participants are more likely to say they plan to give money to small business (directly or via crowdfunding), with 47.1% of Gen Z participants and 36.6% of Millennials saying they plan to donate to small businesses.
–Participants in large metropolitan areas (32.4%) are more likely to anticipate giving money to a business than those who don’t live in large metropolitan areas (14.2%).
And, 24.5% of respondents said they will look for ways to help unemployed individuals directly.
Loans for small businesses being offered by the U.S. Small Business Administration are also providing potential help to the millions of small businesses that are struggling to survive during this pandemic, but the scale of individual monetary gifts to small businesses is an unprecedented phenomenon. It also speaks to the fact that small businesses are valued not only for the employment and services they provide but also their active part in developing a sense of community, interaction and continuity within neighborhoods.
Video of the week
As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video interview with Darlene Allen, CEO and Executive Director of Adoption Rhode Island, a BBB Accredited Charity that finds forever families for children in state care and provides support throughout the adoption process such as child, youth and family support services, education, training, advocacy and referrals.
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
As we approach the summer season, feel the warmer weather and dream of ice cream scoops on cones, the public will also
experience in-person solicitations for charities in many major cities in the U.S. and Canada. Young people
with friendly enthusiasm and armed with clip-boards and electronic pads will seek your contributions to help the
environment, animals, needy children in foreign lands or cure a disease. While fundraisers don’t expect a donation
from everyone, it can sometimes be hard to say no or avoid their approach. And, there is the announced guilty
question we often hear about “whether we care about the (fill in the blank) cause” when we pass.
For young people seeking a job in the summer, this can be hard but rewarding work helping organizations and issues they
care about. The hours can be long, however, and one needs to develop a thick skin to overcome rejection and
the occasional verbal abuse of mean-spirited pedestrians. The pay arrangements will vary. Some charities may
use a type of commission based on the volume of donations obtained while others may involve a flat fee arrangement.
A charity may handle these appeals directly or may hire a third party to manage them. Whatever the circumstances,
we encourage job applicants to take the time to check out the charity at
Give.org to verify if they meet the
BBB Charity Standards.
For those considering making a donation to in-person fundraisers, here are some tips to keep in mind:
1. Look for clothing with charity logos.
Most face-to-face fundraisers will have clothing with an official charity logo patch or a t-shirt
with the charity’s name.
2. Ask to see the ID card. Responsible charities also will issue identification cards with a picture of the canvasser along with
the charity’s name.
3. Fact sheets should be available. If requested, fundraisers will generally have fact sheets available that summarize information about the
organization and provide instructions about where to find additional details.
4. Monthly giving arrangements. Many canvassers will encourage more than a one-time gift. They will offer a monthly contribution arrangement
that will charge your credit or debit card an agreed monthly amount. This longer term giving circumstance is
what makes the solicitation effort worthwhile to the charity.
5. Remember, it’s okay to say no. Giving is a personal decision and donors should not feel pressure
to make an on-the-spot contribution if they need more time to consider, especially if the request is for a periodic
donation throughout the year.
6. Report suspicious behavior. Canvassers for charity will usually be young adults over 18 years of age with appropriate identification
as mentioned above. Be very cautious about underage fundraisers, without any visible adult supervision, asking
for charitable donations. For example, such questionable appeals may take place on public transportation systems,
by children claiming to be raising money for sports team uniforms by selling candy bars. Report suspicious
behavior to the authorities.
7. BBB Charity reports are as close as your phone.If you have a smart phone, you are a click away from using
Give.org to verify the trustworthiness of a charity by finding out if our report indicates they meet the
BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video of Elana Silber, Executive Director of
Sharsheret (a
BBB Accredited Charity), an organization that supports young Jewish women and families facing breast cancer at
every stage.
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
It is with heavy hearts that we endure another mass shooting which
resulted in the senseless deaths of 17 school children, this time at a
high school in Parkland, Florida. As expected many are motivated to
assist the families affected by this tragedy and to provide support to
help restore the surrounding community. Crowdfunding sites continue to
be a popular means to provide support and a number of them have already
raised significant sums.
We encourage donors to review the advisory “Charitable
Giving After a Tragedy” to be informed about potential problem
appeals and to be aware that not all crowdfunding sites operate in the
same way. Some take steps to catch questionable efforts while others may
not be so careful. One caution is that a crowdfunding posting should get
permission from the families before using photos or names of victims.
Unfortunately, this is not always done.
As mentioned within the above advisory, 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 should also remember that some of these advocacy groups are
not tax-exempt as charities.
Video of the Week
As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a
video featuring Michael King, President & CEO, Volunteers of America (a BBB Accredited Charity) which
is a faith-based organization that works to help those in need live
healthy, safe and productive lives. The organization’s programs are
designed to support seniors, people with disabilities, at-risk youth,
men and women returning from prison, homeless individuals and families,
those recovering from addictions, and military veterans.
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
While 8 out of 10 Baby Boomers currently give to charity, new data from a Porter Novelli Styles survey shows that half of millennials do not give any money to charity.
Further, millennials may also be impacting another revenue stream to charities—corporate giving. Corporations often donate to charities to create goodwill among their consumers, but a recent Porter Noveli Styles survey shows that nearly 70 percent
of millennials say corporate giving doesn’t impact their buying decisions. If known, this could lead companies to alter their charitable giving strategy.
Corporate contributions have typically comprised about 5% of total giving in the United States, but charities have long sought to grow that figure. A reason used to encourage growth was the interest millennials seemed to have in corporations that
distinguished themselves with contributions to charity. This data throws a bit of cold water on that argument.
Though these trends could impact charities’ revenue streams, they could present an opportunity for charities and corporations to work together and redefine the landscape of corporate giving.
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
On Saturday, December 22, 2018, Indonesia suffered from a devastating tsunami which has taken over 400 lives and injured over a thousand people. Earlier this year, in late September, another tsunami hit that region as well. Charitable organizations are beginning to respond and collect funds to provide relief services.
We encourage donors to keep the following tips in mind.
Support experienced disaster relief charities. They are more likely to deliver assistance quickly. Watch out for newly created organizations that may not be able to effectively deliver on promised intentions.
Look out for “100%”claims. Be wary of any charity claiming that 100% of donations will be spent on helping tsunami victims. Charities have fundraising and administrative costs. Look for an explanation as to how this restriction is accomplished.
Support disaster relief through cash not donated items. A local drive to collect clothing and food is well-intentioned but is not a practical means to provide assistance. Disaster relief groups usually will be better armed to know what is needed and avoid duplication of effort.
Donate to BBB Accredited Charities. You can help verify a charity’s trustworthiness by viewing an evaluative report completed by BBB Wise Giving Alliance. See the list provided below of disaster relief charities that that are soliciting for relief assistance to help Indonesia.
The following is a list of BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., charities that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) that have posted announcements on their websites about providing help. This list will be updated as additional relief efforts come to BBB WGA’s attention.
For additional giving advice and to access additional charity reports, see our tips and visit the BBB Wise Giving Alliance website at Give.org.
Video of the Week
As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Joshua Tripp, COO & CFO of the Grameen Foundation (a BBB Accredited Charity) which helps the world’s poor by providing financial services, information on agriculture and health, and helps poverty-focused organizations improve their operations by providing mobile-based management tools and other technology resources.
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
Last month, a previous Wise Giving Wednesday
blog addressed the issue of deducting donations at tax time and expressed charity concern that
changes in the U.S. Tax Code in 2018 could impact giving this year. Among other changes, the standard deduction
in 2018 would increase to $12,000 per individual and $24,000 per married couple. The speculation is that if more
people decide to take the increased standard deduction rather than itemize their tax return, there may be less motivation
to contribute.
As noted in
The Chronicle of Philanthropy, a
study released by the
Nonprofit Research Collaborative (a combined effort of several organizations, such as the Association of
Fundraising Professionals, that address fundraising issues) involved over 1,300 organizations. One of the survey
questions asked:
What is your organization expecting as a result of the tax law changes? The answers were as follows:
41% Project no change in giving by individuals,
28% Indicated there are too many changes to make a guess,
21% Project decreased charitable support from individuals, and
10% Project increased charitable support from individuals.
The above results point to uncertainty as to whether this 2018 change will have an overall positive or negative impact
on giving. The cited study provides additional details on the above responses as well as information about fundraising
results these organizations experienced in the previous year.
While we hope U.S. contributions will not decrease in 2018, BBB WGA continues to encourage donors to check out charities
at
Give.org before making a donation.
Video of the Week
As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Rev. Steven E. Boes, President
& National Executive Director,
Boys Town (a
BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks “to change the way America cares for children, families and communities by
providing and promoting an Integrated Continuum of Care® that instills Boys Town values to strengthen body, mind
and spirit.” Boys Town programs range from preventative services in the home to restrictive out-of-home placements
for children with severe behavioral and mental health disorders. In between this range are school educational programs,
in-home family counseling services, traditional and treatment foster care, short- and long-term family style residential
programs and specialized group homes.
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 our list and we will do our best to produce one.
H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
A mass murder of innocent people is a remarkable tragedy, and when it takes place in a house of worship where individuals go to find peace, hope and prayer adds to our sense of devastation. The horrific shooting at the Tree of Life Synagogue in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania that took place last Saturday moved many of us to tears but also fueled our urge to help the families of those who were injured or killed. While we encourage generosity after all such events, we also remind contributors to be careful and take steps to avoid questionable appeal efforts that often emerge to take advantage of the emotional reactions of donors.
Respect the victims and their families.
Organizations or individuals raising funds should get permission from the families to either use the names of the victims and/or their photographs. In the wake of past tragedies, this was not always done and the fundraisers were subject to criticism.
Be wary of vague appeals.
Watch out for vague appeals that don’t describe the intended use of funds. For example, will they be used to help cover funeral costs, medical expenses for those injured and/or repairs to the synagogue? Also, unless told otherwise, donors assume that funds collected quickly in the wake of a tragedy will be spent just as quickly.
Crowdfunding Cautions.
Crowdfunding has become so popular that fundraising usually starts within hours after a tragedy has occurred. Please keep in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take precautions in carefully screening 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. Also remember that there may be other giving options such as sending support to the Tree of Life synagogue directly.
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.
Financial Transparency
After funds are raised for a tragedy, it is even more important for organizations to provide an accounting of how funds were spent. Transparent organizations will post this information on their websites so that anyone can find out and not have to wait until financial statements are available sometime in the future.
We are pleased to provide a video that features highlights of the Give.org Donor Trust Report which was discussed in our October 25th press release. The report provides an in-depth look into donors’ beliefs, feelings and behavioral intentions related to charity trust and giving. The following video includes clips of interviews with charity leaders reacting to the findings in the report.
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
Tuesday morning, a snip from of an interview I did appeared as part of a story that aired on ABC’s Good Morning America: Woman Allegedly Used Social Media to Solicit Donations for Fake Firefighter Husband.
The news story reports that an individual allegedly claimed to be married to a firefighter battling the California wildfires and used Facebook to solicit for firefighter supplies such as air mattresses, blankets and food. Reportedly, these items
were not provided to firefighters but were sold online. As noted in my clip, while one can vet charities, it is difficult to vet individuals.
Many on the southeast coast are evacuating or preparing for Hurricane Florence which is projected to be one of the worst storms to hit that area in decades. While this reminds us how vulnerable we can be to a devastating storm, as donors we also need
to be reminded how vulnerable we can be to relief appeals that seek to take advantage of our generosity. To help avoid being taken, here are three steps to consider:
Review Give.org’s Disaster Relief Donation Tips (here is a link to the Spanish version)
to help identify potential problems and direct your gifts to assist those truly in need.
Contribute to charities that have experience in disaster relief and are positioned to help impacted areas. Visit Give.org to verify if the charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
If you desire to help those asking for personal assistance on social media to address hurricane relief needs, it is safest to donate to individuals that you already know. Also remember that gifts to help a specific person are generally not deductible
as charitable donations for federal income tax purposes.
After Hurricane Florence hits, we will post a list of disaster relief charities that meet BBB Charity Standards that are soliciting for relief efforts.
Video of the Week
As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video of Laurel Lyle, Vice President, Development, Operations and Fundraising Programs at Cure Alzheimer’s Fund (a BBB Accredited Charity) that seeks to accelerate research and focus exclusively on finding a cure for Alzheimer’s disease. In 2016, the organization supported 56 research
projects at 32 research institutions for a funding total of more than $13 million. The majority of projects pursued a deeper understanding of the mechanisms of action of the genes and variants with the biggest impact on risk and timing of Alzheimer’s
disease.
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
The first week of July reminds us that summer is here: rising temperatures, July 4th celebrations, vacations and backyard barbeques. While many us make merry and enjoy the moment, charities continue to help fill unmet needs and address important causes. While those objectives don’t disappear at mid-year, many charities see donations drop-off at this time. There are exceptions, of course, such as disaster-relief charities that get attention in the wake of hurricanes, but most organizations are not in the fundraising spotlight. As a result, BBB Wise Giving Alliance encourages donors to consider the following summer options and tips to help you give wisely during the summer months:
Donating Goods. If you missed out on spring cleaning, you have a second chance. You can donate unwanted clothing, furniture, or other used items to charities of your choice. Don’t assume used goods are distributed to the needy. Ask how these gifts will be used. If sold in charity thrift stores, how much of the sale benefits the cause? If a clothing collection bin appears in your supermarket’s parking lot, don’t assume the store has vetted the subject organization. Research the charity online by visiting BBB.org and Give.org. For additional advice, see the previous blog on this subject.
Donating Your Time. Summer is a popular time for many to volunteer to help charities in their area. But before seeking out this type of assistance, think about how much time you can offer the organization. Is this a one-time offer or a continuing commitment to the charity? Be open to a variety of possibilities, such as office work, and let the charity know about any special skills or training you have that might be of use. For more tips, see the following link.
Donating Through Charity Concerts. Promotions for some summer concerts may claim that ticket purchases will benefit a specified organization. If so, see if the promotion discloses what amount of the purchase will help the charity. Don’t assume the entire ticket price will go to the group. Visit this blog link for more advice.
Donating Face-to-Face. For many metropolitan areas, summer months also involve in-person appeals made by young solicitors with electronic pads. Look to see if the solicitor is wearing clothing with the charity’s logo, has an ID card, and don’t be shy to say no if not interested. Some of these giving requests involve monthly commitments, where your credit card might be automatically charged each month. See this link for more information.
Verifying Trust. For each of the above options, remember to take the time to verify the charity’s trustworthiness. Does the organization meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability? Visit BBB.org and Give.org for additional assistance.
Video of the Week
As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Lieutenant General Robert Ruark USMC (Ret.), CEO of the Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation (a BBB Accredited Charity), an organization that assists the families of United States Marine Corps and of United States Navy Corpsmen by providing their children with scholarships to attend colleges, universities and vocational and technical institutions.
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
As Americans, we sometimes assume we are the only ones facing the problems we see within our shores and don’t take the time to see how other nations tackle similar concerns. Philanthropy is no different, especially in terms of charity accountability. At our upcoming charity conference on June 12th, we will hear about charity accountability programs in other countries such as Germany and Taiwan and learn how cultural differences might influence donor trust in charities and fundraising strategies. It will be a surprise to some that many of the same trust challenges faced in the U.S. are also experienced around the world. 
