Category: Wise Giving Wednesday

In an earlier blog, I talked about our 15th anniversary operating under the “BBB Wise Giving Alliance” name. Looking to our work in the coming years, I thought it would be helpful to offer foresight on the theme of charity accountability. Of course, this is a topic that will involve more than one posting. One good place to start is identifying what issues in the past are likely to continue in the years to come.  Here are some thoughts. 

Bad Actors Won’t Disappear .  The recent settlement with the FTC, all 50 states and the District of Columbia that involved dissolving two cancer charities accused of fraudulent behavior, reminds us that bad actors are a continuing challenge to charities that seek to strengthen the public’s trust. Questionable organizations will continue to plague the community in decades to come as they have in decades past.  We all need to be on guard, especially since government resources are limited in terms of addressing such cases. 

Transparency Will Grow in Importance .  In the past few decades, we have seen a continuing growth in the availability of charity information as the IRS Form 990 has become more accessible and charity websites provide details about their activities.  We believe this trend will continue and charities will be prompted to be even more transparent about their activities, goals, results, impact and achievements. The notion of a charity choosing not to disclose information, will become more unacceptable. 

Information Manipulation . As charity financial information has become more accessible, we have also seen a growing challenge in identifying the accuracy and consistency of shared data. For example, we have seen differences in how charity financial information is summarized. Some follow Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP) in summarizing financial data, others don’t.  It is likely that such data accuracy differences will extend to other areas as well and may confuse users seeking to make informed giving decisions. 

The lesson learned in the above is that there will be a continuing need for people to rely on third parties that can filter information, such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, in seeking to verify charity trustworthiness.  We look forward to continuing to assist both donors and charities in addressing this important objective. 

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On a separate note, the video below includes my comments on our 15 ^th anniversary:



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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:  

• International Aid
• National Foundation for Transplants
• Thurgood Marshall College Fund

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

As we are making holiday giving decisions and the year is drawing to a close, this edition of Wise Giving Wednesday takes a look back at some of the recurring problems we have seen in our evaluations of nationally-soliciting charitable organizations.  While each charity presents a different set of fact circumstances, there are some issues that appear to come up more often. By bringing these to your attention, we hope to alert you to look more carefully at some appeals to ensure that they are providing an accurate picture of the organization’s situation.

Matching gifts should match. Matching gift appeals are quite common these days, especially towards the end of the year when organizations are competing with many other charities for support. The attraction is the promise that generous donor(s) have pledged to make a gift to the charity if the organization is able to raise an equivalent amount by some specified deadline. While the majority of matching gift appeals are accurate, BBB Wise Giving Alliance has found instances where the referenced amount is not a true match since it was already in the charity’s possession and was not restricted by donors for the purpose of matching.

Inaccurate promises of “doubling impact.”  With the growing public interest in identifying charity results or impact, we have also seen instances where this language is used in an exaggerated way that can mislead donors. For example, we have seen appeals where an organization claims that donors can “double” or “triple” their impact by making a cash gift that can help deliver in-kind goods (such as food, medicines, or clothing) that an organization received from other sources. When asked by BBB Wise Giving Alliance, the subject charities are unable to substantiate the math of how impact is increased since they are just following through on a distribution of an existing gift.

Watch out for vague cause-related marketing announcements. BBB Charity Standard 19 calls for certain disclosures to take place in cause-related marketing promotions. Specifically, the promotion should identify the actual or anticipated portion of the purchase price that will benefit the specified charity.  Sometimes, however, such campaigns use vague language such as “a portion of the proceeds” or “all profits to go” to the announced group. As a result, a consumer will be unable to know how much of their purchase will help the charity and/or may assume more is going to the organization than is actually the case.

Be wary of 100% claims in appeals. If you see a charity appeal that makes a 100% claim such as “all of the donation will be spent on program services.” Look more carefully at the solicitation to see if there is an explanation of how this is accomplished. (For example, generous donors or board members have made a donation to pay for charity overhead.) All charities have fundraising and administrative expenses. Even if your donation is not being used to cover these costs, these overhead expenses are still being incurred and the charity will need to pay for these activities. If there is no explanation on how the 100% promise is accomplished, ask the charity for clarification.

Video of the Week

If you have not already seen it, please take a moment to view our video that features interviews with BBB WGA staff members discussing donor misconceptions featured in the Give.org Donor Trust 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:

• Appalachia Service Project
• Children’s Health Fund
• Near East Foundation

Finally, remember to let us know by going to https://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

Breast Cancer Awareness Month which takes place each October brings the public’s attention to this important cause. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control reports that there are about 250,000 new cases of breast cancer reported each year. This Awareness Month also helps raise significant contributions for many charities that are addressing this issue in a variety of ways such as medical research, treatment assistance and prevention education. As such, it is helpful to keep in mind that the name of the charity addressing breast cancer might not always reveal the activities that it conducts.

Many Charities Address This Cause. There are over 1,000 U.S. charitable organizations that include the words “breast cancer” as part of their name. This is all the more reason to look carefully to make sure the charity you are considering is the one you have in mind.  Review the appeal and website of the organization carefully to gain a better understanding of what they do. While many of us only consider donating to charities that request our support, be aware there are numerous other potential choices for those willing to look further.

Celebrity Appeal. In some instances, famous celebrities help bring attention to specific breast cancer organizations. While well known-personalities can reach and teach us about the importance of this issue, it is still up to donors to ensure that their contributions will be used wisely. While the generous time celebrities provide helps demonstrate their good intent, it is the charity itself that needs to gain your trust.

Seeing Pink. While the pink ribbon is the symbol for breast cancer awareness, its appearance on a product does not necessarily mean that buying it will help a charity, unless it specifies that is the case. So look at the label carefully. Certain stylized versions of the pink ribbon are trademarked by specific breast cancer charities, but a generic pink ribbon image does not guarantee that you are helping the cause through the purchase.

Cause Marketing Promotions. To meet BBB Charity Standard 19, promotions that claim a purchase will help a charity should include a specific disclosure that identifies the actual or anticipated amount of the purchase that will benefit the charity. For example, 5 cents for every can of soup up to $100,000. If applicable the disclosure should also indicate the duration of the campaign and any maximum or guaranteed minimum donation amount. A complete disclosure might say, “8 cents for every sweater sold in the month of October will help XYZ Breast Cancer Charity up to a maximum of $25,000.” Watch out for vague language that state “a portion of proceeds” will help breast cancer charities.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance encourages donors to support these groups but also remember to visit Give.org to verify if they meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. If you don’t see a report on a group that interests you, complete our inquiry form so we can identify charities that can be the subject of an evaluation.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Lynda Houk, Executive Director, Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer (a BBB Accredited Charity evaluated by the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana.)  This organization raises funds for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories at the Indiana University Bren Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis, Indiana.

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:

• Child Family Health International
• ChopChop Family
• Habitat for Humanity International

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

When a natural disaster or tragedy occurs, generous donors are quick to assist charities that are providing help. It is not surprising to see this same desire emerge as authorities seek to contain the spread of Coronavirus that began in Wuhan, China and has tragically resulted in over 1,000 deaths to date.

One of the first needs identified in China was the availability of face masks and other protective medical gear which quickly sold out both in retail stores and online. Inventories of face masks in other countries were also running low as individuals sought to ship these items to family members in China. A number of the American charities listed below are focused on helping to obtain and mail these needed medical supplies to China. Unfortunately, scammers have also taken advantage of these shortages. (See BBB Scam Alert on face mask cons.)

In addition, on February 5, the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will “immediately provide up to $100 million for the global response to the 2019 novel coronavirus.” Among other things, these funds will seek to improve detection, isolation and treatment efforts and accelerate the development of vaccines, drugs and diagnostics.

To help contributors make their own wise giving decisions to charities addressing the coronavirus outbreak, BBB Wise Giving Alliance suggests that donors keep the following tips in mind:

1. It is best to consider experienced relief organizations. New charities may have the best of intentions, but may face great challenges in fulfilling promises in another country.
2. Verify the trustworthiness of soliciting relief organizations by visiting Give.org to access free reports that specify if the charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
3. See if the charity has existing connections to be able to deliver aid to impacted areas. Without well-established connections, it may be difficult to provide assistance quickly and effectively.
4. Some charities may be raising money to pass along to other relief organizations. If so, you may want to consider “avoiding the middleman” and give directly to charities that either have a presence in the region or an established connection.
5. See if the charity’s appeal clearly describes the intended use of funds. Watch out for vague solicitations that promise assistance to those in need but don’t explain how it will be carried out.
6. Understand crowdfunding. While there are resources like Give.org to help vet charities, it can be difficult to vet individuals. If you decide to contribute to an individual via crowdfunding, it is safest to give to people you personally know. Also, if a charity is raising money using a crowdfunding posting, see the advice noted above. Be particularly cautious of hazy requests that are not clear about the nature of support that will be provided. Also review the sites instructions to find out about any fees, how quickly funds will be disbursed and other matters of potential importance.

The American Red Cross (a BBB Accredited Charity) issued a statement on February 11^th indicating that it is currently supporting government agencies and state officials to assist evacuees returning to the U.S. from China. When requested, its role is to provide blankets, comfort kits, snacks, stuffed animals and other support items for those who have been quarantined at government facilities. The American Red Cross notes it will continue to work with U.S. officials to determine what additional support may be needed in the coming days and weeks.   

The following is a list of other BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., organizations that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) that announce (on their websites) their activities to address coronavirus. This list will be updated as additional relief efforts come to BBB’s Give.org’s attention.

Americares Foundation

Brother’s Brother Foundation

Direct Relief

GlobalGiving

Heart to Heart International

Project HOPE

Save the Children

United Methodist Committee on Relief

World Vision

Canadian-based charities:  If you are considering donating to a Canadian-based charity, there is a list of Registered Charities provided by the Government of Canada, which can be found here. While the registration with this government agency does not mean the government is recommending or endorsing the charity, it does signify that the group has filed the appropriate paperwork with this agency.

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Video of the Week 

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Cyndi Zagieboylo, President and CEO, of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society (a BBB Accredited Charity) which funds research into the causes, treatments, and a cure of MS. The organization also provides education and support to people with MS, their families and caregivers; provides education and training for healthcare professionals who treat people living with MS; and provides direct financial assistance to people living with multiple sclerosis. 

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Recent Reports

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

• American Red Cross
• EOD Warrior Foundation
• Love146

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

Friday, April 22 ^nd is the 46 ^th Earth Day event which started in 1970. This environmental-focused movement has grown considerably over the years from gatherings at colleges, universities and schools in the U.S. to a global activity that, according to Earth Day Network, involves “…over one billion people in 192 countries… making it the largest civic observance in the world.” In part, what makes this Earth Day special is that the Paris Agreement will be signed that day, which seeks to lower greenhouse gas emissions and is intended to be an important step in addressing global warming. Over 100 countries are expected to sign this agreement.

According to Giving USA of the $358.38 billion Americans who contributed to charity in 2014, organizations addressing environmental/animal issues comprised $10.5 billion, which represented a 5.3 percent increase over the previous year when adjusted for inflation. In turn, the number of environmental organizations has grown over time as well. According to data accessible at the Center for Nonprofits and Philanthropy at the Urban Institute there are over 35,000 environmental organizations in the U.S. in 2016 which represents a 59% growth over the total number of such groups that existed in 1996.

As our attention and sympathy is drawn to environmental issues this Earth Day, we encourage donors to also verify the trustworthiness of environmental/animal groups by identifying which organizations meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability . For your easy reference, here is a list of such organizations.

African Wildlife Foundation	Alaska Conservation Foundation
Amazon Conservation Team	Appalachian Trail Conservancy
Arbor Day Foundation	Center for Watershed Protection
Chesapeake Bay Foundation	Civil War Preservation Trust
Conservation Fund	Defenders of Wildlife
Ducks Unlimited	EarthJustice
EarthShare	Earthworks
Food and Water Watch	Friends of the Earth
Friends of Trees	Galapagos Conservancy
Grand Canyon Trust	Greenpeace Fund
International Rivers	Jane Goodall Institute
Jewish National Fund	Land Trust Alliance
National Environmental Education and Training Foundation	National Park Trust
Natural Resources Defense Council	Nature Conservancy
Ocean Conservancy	Oceana
Pacific Crest Trail Association	Rails-to-Trails Conservancy
Rainforest Action Network	Rainforest Alliance
Save the Redwoods League	Sierra Club Foundation
Student Conservation Association	Theodore Roosevelt Conservation Partnership
Trees, Water and People	Union of Concerned Scientists
Waterkeeper Alliance	Wilderness Society
World Resources Institute	World Wildlife Fund
Yellowstone Park Foundation	Yosemite Conservancy



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On a related note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video featuring Keith Laughlin, President of Rails-to-Trails Conservancy (a BBB Accredited Charity) which is celebrating its 30 ^th anniversary this year. This organization partners with communities to transform unused railroad corridors into multi-use trails that protect landscapes, revitalize local economies and give Americans the opportunity to lead healthy, active lives.



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

For those U.S. donors seeking to get a 2015 tax deduction for charitable gifts, the clock is ticking. By the time this blog is posted, there will be less than 48 hours left for this opportunity. Not surprisingly, last minute donations are particularly popular with online gifts. For example, Network for Good reported via an online giving study that 12% of online gifts made in 2014 came in the last three days of the year. In making last minute contributions, here are some points to keep in mind.

Give with confidence by verifying the trustworthiness of the charity on Give.org. Look at our national soliciting charity report list to see if the organization meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Or, use the Give.org search engine for both national and local charity reports.

If you want to confirm that the organization has received charitable tax-exempt status, you can use the IRS search engine but be sure you know the exact official name of the organization.

If you decide to give online, you can claim a 2015 deduction as long as the contribution transaction is posted before midnight on December 31 ^st even though your credit card bill won’t arrive until 2016.

If you prefer to mail a check, you need to be a bit more careful if you want a 2015 deduction. For example, if you use a mailing service other than the U.S. Postal Service, the “delivered when mailed” rule may not apply. Also, don’t post date your check with a 2016 date – doing so makes the check a type of pledge to give in 2016. For more information, see IRS Publication 526.

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As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide the following video that features Scott Case, Chair of the Board of Network for Good (a BBB Accredited Charity). Network for Good enables donors to make online contributions to charities and offers charities training in online fundraising.



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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