Category: Wise Giving Wednesday

New insights from BBB Give.org’s Donor Trust Report reveal how charity trust levels and giving preferences differ by U.S. region.

How Charity Trust Levels Vary Across U.S. Regions

One of the features in the Donor Trust Report issued by BBB Wise Giving Alliance on November 25th was to compare public trust in charities among four regions of the U.S. (Northeast, South, Midwest and West). The report, a survey of more than 2,200 adults in the United States (and a separate section with more than 1,000 adults in Canada) identified differences in giving attitudes.

All four U.S. regions were very close in terms of the perceived importance (9 or 10 on a ten-point scale) in trusting a charity when making a donation. When asked whether they highly trust charities (9 or 10 on a ten-point scale), however, those in the Northeast gave a significantly higher score (28%) than those in other U.S. regions, particularly when compared to the South (19%).

1. Importance of Trusting a Charity Before Giving (Left)
2. Percentage That Highly Trust Charities (Right)

 

Trust in Different Charity Types by U.S. Region

Participants from the Northeast were also found to generally be more trusting of different charity categories than other regions, and participants from the South were generally least trusting. Some examples with the widest gap in trust across regions are shown below:

Participants in the Midwest and Northeast were more likely to report giving on a charity’s website, responding to an email appeal, or social media appeal than the other regions. While overall, some of these percentage differences were not dramatically different, they do demonstrate trends that might be worth exploring further to help better understand what fundraising methods work best in certain areas. It might also suggest that donors in certain areas might need additional assurances in charity trust so that they can give confidently. 

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Heart of Giving Podcast – Sean Carrol’s Mission with Anera in the Middle East

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features a conversation with Sean Carrol, President & CEO, Anera (a BBB Accredited Charity). Sean describes how his organization is delivering aid in the Gaza region.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• ALSAC St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• The Hunger Project
• Relief International

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.

Convenient and impactful, checkout donations are on the rise. Learn how to ensure transparency and trust when contributing at the register.

Checkout Counter Contributions

On November 25th, BBB Wise Giving Alliance released the Give.org Donor Trust Report 2024: Trust and Giving Attitudes Across U.S. Regions and Religious Affiliation, offering a glimpse at how participants with different self-reported religious affiliations (and from different U.S. regions) vary in their charity trust and giving attitudes. The report also included questions about self-reported giving over the past year.

When considering alternative channels used to donate during the past year (including mailed appeals, social media appeals, fundraising events, and 10 other options), participants most frequently report contributing at the checkout counter (23.7%), through a charity’s website (23.5%), or as a response to mailed appeals (17.0%).

Solicitations at the checkout counter make giving convenient and can elicit solidarity for those who have less at a timely moment. Last year, Engage for Good issued a biennial report, America’s Checkout Champions, which showed that American retailers raised more than $749 million for charities at various point-of-sale campaigns during 2022. Of the campaigns they surveyed, 67% involved consumers rounding up their purchase to the nearest dollar with the overage going to charity. Other checkout counter options include asking for a specified donation amount to be added to the amount paid by the consumer or purchasing a paper icon for a fixed dollar amount that would be displayed in the store.

While we celebrate all forms of generosity, over-the-counter contributions rarely offer a true connection or opportunity for engagement between the donor and the benefiting charity. On the other hand, they provide another giving option that can cumulatively raise significant sums.  To assist both consumers and retailers, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following.

Checkout Counter Donation Tips for Consumers:

• Look for clarity in the ask. See if the retailer specifies which charities will receive the collected funds. If the campaign just references a cause, such as breast cancer, this may make it more difficult to find out how your donation will be used.
• Don’t assume the charity has been vetted. If a specific charity has been named, we encourage potential donors to take the time to verify the trustworthiness of the selected charity. Visit Give.org to see if the organization is a BBB Accredited Charity (i.e., meets the 20 BBB Charity Standards.)
• If unsure, don’t be pressured to donate immediately. Be wary of excessive pressure to donate, even at the register. If interested, you can always donate at your next visit, after you’ve had a chance to find out more.

Advice for Retailers Considering Checkout Counter Donations:

• Make charity arrangements in writing. For various reasons, a company should have a written agreement with the specified charity giving the company permission to use the charity’s name and/or logo, specifying arrangements for when funds will be sent, and confirming that the charity will approve the disclosures made to consumers/donors in the campaign.
• Verify accuracy of disclosures. Campaign transparency will be appreciated by customers but remember that they generally are the ones making the donation. The company usually serves as a go-between and forwards the cumulative funds that have been donated to the charity recipient(s). In 2022 a lawsuit was filed against a major retailer by a consumer who alleged the language used in a point-of sale charity campaign misled them.
• Check out potential charity participants. Before engaging in a point-of-sale donation option, visit Give.org to find out if the potential charity partner meets the BBB Charity Standards.

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Heart of Giving Podcast – GivingTuesday CEO, Asha Curran, Provides a Behind the Scenes Look at their Success

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features our annual GivingTuesday episode with its CEO, Asha Curran, which has helped raise over $3 billion across 105 countries. Curran describes how everyday acts of generosity create lasting community transformation.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• Cross Catholic Outreach
• One Percent for the Planet
• Task Force for Global Health

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.

International Charity Fraud Awareness Week is a timely reminder to protect your generosity by staying informed about common scams and learning how to give with confidence.

How to Stay Safe from Charity Fraud

As many donors will participate on GivingTuesday by supporting various charities, we also hope they will be careful with this generosity so they can contribute with confidence. By coincidence, November 25-29 is International Charity Fraud Awareness Week which represents an international coalition of government regulators, law enforcement agencies, charities and others seeking to address “charity fraud and cybercrime by raising awareness and sharing good practices.” BBB Wise Giving Alliance is pleased to share some steps that donors can take to help reduce instances of fraud.

Beware of Cybersecurity Fraud When Donating To Charities

Heart of Giving Podcast: Suzanne McCormick on The Y-USA’s Role in Modern America

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features Suzanne McCormick, President & CEO, Y-USA (a BBB Accredited Charity) which serves as the national resources office for the nation’s 2,700 local YMCA’s The local facilities engage 13 million members nationwide.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• Unitarian Universalist Service Committee
• Women’s World Banking
• National Environmental Education and Training Foundation 

You can access an A-Z list of all our live reports here. 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.

This GivingTuesday, the global day of giving, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers tips to help donors support trustworthy charities and make informed giving decisions.

What is GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday, the designated day for donating takes place on December 3^rd, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the U.S. This movement started in 2012 and has helped raise billions for charities around the world. Earlier this year, Asha Curran, CEO of the GivingTuesday organization, gave a keynote address at an event held by BBB Wise Giving Alliance in New York City. She shared the history of the organization and how its giving messages went viral.

Tips for Donating on GivingTuesday

Heart of Giving Podcast: Abby Ross on Making Generosity Frictionless

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features, Abby Ross, CEO, Network for Good (a BBB Accredited Charity) a charity that provides a giving platform that enables people to donate or raise funds for a charity of their choice. Since their founding in 2001, they report to have disbursed over $5 billion to over 450,000 U.S. charities.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• DoSomething
• Rape, Abuse and Incest National Network
• EarthLinks 

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.

This World Diabetes Day, BBB Wise Giving Alliance provides essential tips to help donors support trustworthy diabetes charities.

World Diabetes Day

Thursday November 14^th is World Diabetes Day which is the birthday of Dr. Frederick Banting who co-discovered insulin in 1922. A number of websites are bringing attention to steps people can take to help prevent or delay this disease and what measures and treatment options can be taken to improve health should they be diagnosed. For example, see the following government link from the National Institutes of Health. There also is a federal program to address diabetes issues among Indigenous Peoples/ Native Americans. In addition, there are a number of charity websites that offer diabetes information including American Diabetes Association, Breakthrough T1D, and Diabetes Action Research and Education Foundation.

Tips for Supporting Diabetes Charities

Heart of Giving Podcast: William Warshauer on Sustainable Programs Addressing Poverty

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features William Warshauer, CEO, TechnoServe which seeks to leverage the power of business and markets to create sustainable pathways out of poverty. Technoserve generates economic opportunities for all people as entrepreneurs, farmers, and employees. Their activities stretch across the globe including Latin America, the Caribbean, Africa, and India.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• International Fellowship of Christians and Jews
• National Arbor Day Foundation
• International Children’s Fund 

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.

Will Political Fundraising Affect Year-End Donations?

As the holiday season approaches, fundraisers are wondering: Has election-year spending left donors too tapped out to give generously to charities?

Now that Election Day has passed, fundraisers in the charitable community will focus efforts on the most active time of year for donations: the holiday season. On the other hand, some are concerned that political donations during 2024 may have tapped out generous Americans who have fundraising fatigue and/or less to share with charities. Although that concern sounds logical, statistics show that total giving in the U.S. actually increased in nine of the last ten presidential election years, with the exception of 2008 due to the financial crisis. There are a number of factors that probably influenced this trend, including the spotlight drawn to various causes during the campaign season.

There are some regional caveats to consider. A Candid article referenced a study suggesting that donors in competitive “swing” states were 8% less likely to say they planned to contribute to charities this year. If that prediction holds, charities in some communities may be facing a more challenging fundraising environment than other states.

The Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP) notes that some organizations will avoid sending appeals too close to Election Day, such as the week before or the week after, otherwise they “will get lost in the noise and die on the vine.”

Overall, a very active year of campaigning is about engaging people to get involved. We hope that spark will spread to engagement with charities during the season of giving. Of course, we hope that no matter what the incentive, donors will take the time to visit Give.org to verify the trustworthiness of charities. Our evaluative reports specify if the subject charity meets the BBB Charity Standards. If there is less cash available, consider helping by donating goods or your time to your favorite causes.

 

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Heart of Giving Podcast – Jane Wales & Kenneth Hodder Discuss the Generosity Commission Report

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features a discussion of the recently released Generosity Commission Report with two key leaders: Jane Wales, Co-Chair of the Commission and Vice President, Philanthropy and Society, The Aspen Institute and Kenneth Hodder, National Commander of The Salvation Army. The Report proposes a set of recommendations to address declines in giving and volunteering rates.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• Salvation Army – Southern Territory
• Soles4Souls
• Task Force Dagger Special Operations Foundation 

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.

Understanding State vs. Federal Charity Regulation

State governments, primarily through Attorneys General and Secretaries of State, play a key role in charity regulation.

While some may think about the Internal Revenue Service as a U.S. government regulator of charities, that agency is generally focused on how charities comply with federal tax law to maintain their tax-exempt status. Also, some donors are familiar with the IRS Form 990, the annual financial form that charities complete if their gross receipts are $200,000 or more (or the shorter IRS Form 990-EZ if less than that threshold.)

For the most part, however, state charity regulators (such as state offices of the Attorneys General and the Secretaries of State) serve as the primary regulators of charities. The majority of states require charities to annually register and file financial information if they intend to solicit for charitable donations in that state. And, they can take action against charities found violating the duties of obedience, loyalty and care in how they manage the assets of the organization. When identified, states also can act on misleading appeals and/or fundraising campaigns that are not properly administered.

But the IRS and state regulators are quick to point out that the receipt of charitable tax-exempt status, completion of the IRS Form 990, and/or registration with a state agency does not constitute or imply endorsement, approval or recommendation by that government entity.

Meeting Standards Beyond Legal Requirements

As a standards-based charity evaluator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance looks beyond the legal requirements in completing its reports on charities. While some of these issues in the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability overlap with legal requirements, the specific recommendations included in these standards, in many instances, call for practices that stretch beyond what the law can address. The distinction between legal requirements and voluntary recommendations is also reflected in the language used to describe them. One complies with regulations because the law requires it, in contrast one meets a standard if one chooses to follow it. In some ways, BBB Wise Giving Alliance seeks to help fill the trust gap between what charities are required to do by law and what the public expects them to do as good stewards of their generosity.

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Heart of Giving Podcast – Stacey D. Steward on The Evolving Mission of Mothers Against Drunk Driving

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features Stacey D. Stewart, CEO, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (a BBB Accredited Charity) which works to promote greater awareness about the problem of substance-impaired driving and underage drinking, to mobilize communities in eliminating these problems, and to support and provide advocacy services to drunk and drugged driving victims and their families.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• Global Impact
• Opportunity International 
• Institute for Social Policy and Understanding 

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.

Protecting Charities and Donors from Charity Fraud

Charity fraud remains a persistent challenge in the nonprofit sector, and experts are sharing crucial advice on how organizations can strengthen their defenses against it.

Each year the National Association of Attorneys General (NAAG) and the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) hold a one-day conference that includes both regulators and charities to discuss various issues facing the charitable sector. As in past years, BBB Wise Giving Alliance attended this event which was held in Baltimore, Maryland on October 8^th. One of the featured panels was titled “Fraud Resiliency in the Charitable Sector” and included moderator, Beth Short, Director of Outreach and Education, Ohio Attorney General’s Office along with two speakers: Jennifer Blasy, Manager, Your Part-time Controller, and Mason Wilder, Research Director, Association of Certified Fraud Examiners.

Beth began the discussion by encouraging charities to take steps to prevent fraud and “make yourself a hard target so that [a potential fraudster] will move on to someone else.” Mason Wilder said “trust is not an internal control… [charities] should prioritize their limited fraud resources” to help address this issue. He also explained there is a difference between internal fraud (such as employees or business partners committing fraud) and external fraud (such as scam emails, system hacks, etc.). Mason described three major types of internal fraud: corruption, asset misappropriation, and financial fraud. Further, undisclosed conflicts of interest are often a major risk factor that intersects with both corruption and asset misappropriation. But the costliest fraud is usually check and payment tampering.

Beth reminded the audience that once the money is gone, it is generally not recoverable and such theft reduces the community’s trust in charities.  Jennifer added that everyone thinks they are untouchable, but they’re not. Mason warned that people don’t stop to commit fraud in just one instance. If the charity does not report the criminal behavior to authorities out of fear of bringing attention to their circumstance, the fraud will be repeated at the next nonprofit that hires the person. He explained that is a sad recurring theme at organizations.

Mason noted that according to the latest edition of Occupational Fraud 2024 published by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, fraud at nonprofits makes up 10% of all occupational fraud with a median loss of $76,000. In a third of the reported cases, the lack of internal controls is the key fraud weakness. Activities that can help improve fraud resistance include monthly staff financial reviews, Board review of finances, reviewing payroll before it gets paid, reviewing credit card statements, and establishing a tone within the organization such as a zero-tolerance policy for fraud.

In response to these points, BBB Wise Giving Alliance notes that some of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability address areas that can improve fraud resistance, including but not limited to, Standard 1 which addresses board oversight of the operations and staff of the charity and Standard 5 which addresses related party transactions. 

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Heart of Giving Podcast: Ruth Holden-Hodson Discusses Climate-Friendly Solar Cooking for Vulnerable Populations

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features a discussion with Ruth Holden-Hodson, a member of the governing board of Solar Cookers International (a BBB Accredited Charity) that through advocacy and research, spreads solar thermal cooking technology, which aims to address the problem of inadequate household energy by providing a sustainable and environmentally friendly tool, with the goal of reducing greenhouse emissions and protecting biodiversity and habitats. 

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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 Kidney Fund
• Defenders of Wildlife 
• Marine Corps Association Foundation 

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.

The Power of Photos in Charity Appeals: Impact and Ethical Guidelines

The adage “a picture is worth a thousand words” reminds us of the immense value a photograph can have in telling a story. So, it is not surprising that charities often turn to pictures as a means of motivating many to give. Whether it is a suffering child, an abused animal, a refugee camp, or an area devastated by a natural disaster, these images can grab our attention, touch our emotions, and silently ask us to respond. Even if the potential donor is not reading all the copy contained in the printed or online appeal, the carefully selected picture can mean all the difference between turning the page or making a gift to help address the need that is expressed so well.

Photos can sometimes raise an issue with the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, specifically, Standard 15, which calls for solicitations and informational materials, distributed by any means, to be accurate, truthful, and not misleading, both in whole and in part. For example, if an appeal includes an outdated picture, it could raise a concern with this standard. Readers will likely assume that a photograph of a child in a solicitation is current unless told otherwise. It is possible that such use may not represent an intent for the charity to deceive, the charity may just be using a popular story that has generated successful fundraising responses in past years. That’s fine but if the story and photo are older than three years, we hope the charity will also accurately represent its age so that donors will not mistakenly believe this is a recent event.

Recent hurricane disasters also bring to mind about using photographs of past similar events. Again, unless told otherwise, potential donors will assume the pictures being displayed in appeals reflect the current natural disaster and not a past one. Charities engaged in disaster solicitations should watch out for such mistakes if they are not depicting the specific earthquake, flood, or tornado described in their requests for support. Of course, context is also important, and BBB WGA would review the entire appeal and the charity’s explanations before reaching a conclusion. 

It also would be wise for a charity to get permission from the parents or guardians of a child before they begin using these photos in appeals, billboards, or other distributions. This can help avoid controversies if the use of the picture is questioned at a later date as some families may not want to participate in this manner.

The emergence of advanced technology, such as AI, introduces another element of consideration on this issue. At relatively low cost, AI can create images that didn’t exist. This raises new issues for charities and donors, but to some extent, the potential concerns overlap with previous issues as explained above. Overall, the more transparent charity appeals are about the source of such photos, the less likely they will be challenged.  

Heart of Giving Podcast – Ricardo Maldonado Discusses Poetry and Social Change

For this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, Ricardo Maldonado, President and Executive Director, Academy of American Poets (a BBB Accredited Charity) shares his journey from Puerto Rico to leading American poetry and explains how it can drive social change and cultural preservation.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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:

• AARP Foundation
• Interfaith Social Services 
• Dan Marino Foundation 

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.

How to Support Hurricane Milton Relief

Hurricane Milton strikes the west coast of Florida today and is expected to have dangerous wind gusts and storm surges. This impact on Florida’s west coast is especially tragic as it has not yet recovered from the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene on September 26^th. For those seeking to help those in need by making charitable contributions, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following advice:

• Find groups that can provide fast assistance. See if the disaster relief charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted areas. Unless they already have staff there, it may be difficult to provide quick assistance. Check if their website describes how they can address immediate needs.
• Be cautious about in-kind assistance. Donating clothing, food or other in-kind donations may not be the best way to help unless the charity has the ability to properly distribute such aid. Ask about their transportation and distribution plans.
• Impacted families will seek shelter and immediate needs. Many individuals in flooded areas will seek safety in shelters and need access to food and water. Charities focused on such activities serve a vital role in helping communities address natural disasters.
• Consider crowdfunding requests. If engaging in crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust. Also review the platform’s policies and procedures, keeping in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take significant measures to vet posts, others don’t.
• Verify the charity’s trustworthiness. Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. We recommend giving to charities that meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability found at Give.org.

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BBB Accredited Charities Supporting Hurricane Relief Efforts

The following BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) are engaged in activities to assist hurricane relief efforts. This list will be updated as additional efforts come to our attention. (updated 10/10/24)

Charity Name	BBB Give.org Report	Relief Efforts
American Kidney Fund	Review Report	Learn more and donate
American Red Cross	Review Report	Learn more and donate
ASPCA	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Americares	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Church World Service	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Direct Relief	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Episcopal Relief & Development	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Feeding America	Review Report	Learn more and donate
GlobalGiving	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Heart to Heart International	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Humane Society of the United States	Review Report	Learn more and donate
International Medical Corps	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Matthew 25: Ministries	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Project Hope	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Salvation Army	Review Report	Learn more and donate
Save the Children	Review Report	Learn more and donate
United Methodist Committee on Relief	Review Report	Learn more and donate
World Renew	Review Report	Learn more and donate
World Vision	Review Report	Learn more and donate

 

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Building Trust Series – Interview with CEO of Jacinto Convit World Organization

In this Building Trust Video Series episode, BBB Wise Giving Alliance interviews Ana Federica Convit, CEO and Founder of Jacinto Convit World Organization (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to provide free access to modern diagnostics to those who need it most, while training new generations of professionals. It supports areas of public health, such as cancer and infectious diseases, for vulnerable patients in developing countries.

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Heart of Giving Podcast: Rev. Bill Roscoe on Meeting the Needs of Boise’s Unhoused and Addicted

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast features a discussion with Rev. Bill Roscoe, President and CEO, Boise Rescue Mission Ministries (a BBB Accredited Charity). Rev. Roscoe addresses the often-overlooked challenges of homelessness in Boise, Idaho and explores their strategies to tackle this complex problem.

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Explore Three of Our Latest 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. Three of our recently evaluated charities include:

• Move United
• Patient Advocate Foundation 
• Physicians for Human Rights 

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.