Format: Article

This week government regulators of charities from around the world including the UK, New Zealand, Australia and the United States are collaborating to bring attention to charity fraud. This awareness initiative started several years ago by the Charities Commission of England and Wales and has since expanded to include other nations. Although BBB Wise Giving Alliance is not a government agency, we share the regulators’ interest in helping to protect the public from questionable solicitation practices and encouraging potential donors to keep the following tips in mind.

Natural Disasters. As noted in previous blogs these past two months, donors need to be especially careful when responding to fundraising after a natural disaster. While we are moved by harrowing scenes of people in need and want to help, we also need to be vigilant to help avoid those seeking to take advantage of an emotional and potentially vulnerable time for fundraising. Our best tip is to support experienced disaster relief charities that can be effective in delivering assistance quickly. For additional advice, view our disaster giving tips.

Telemarketing. Telemarketing can help charities raise money but, in the wrong hands, it also can be a tool to commit fraud. Whether it is a telemarketing scam that offers government grants for a “fee” or a phone appeal for a sham veterans charity people need to be on guard from those seeking to take advantage of their generosity. If interested in a charity that calls for a donation, check out their website and review their report on Give.org before contributing. If you want to reduce the volume of charity calls you receive, see the following link to our tips.

Privacy. BBB Charity Standard 18 includes recommendations regarding the content of privacy policies on charity websites. Look for these disclosures on websites and also be aware of cybersecurity measures that charities can take to protect your personal data.

Online Giving. While the popularity of giving to a charity online continues to increase, so does the cautions that should be kept in mind when using this alternative. Whether it is crowdfunding or online giving platforms, potential donors should read the fine print and identify whether there are fees for the transaction and other aspects of how the donation will be handled.  Also, don’t assume the site has vetted the charities that solicit.

Avoiding Fraud. No one wants to be misled and/or a victim of a scam, but charity fraud can occur. One key aspect of honest fundraising is the accuracy of stories used in appeals. Visit the following link to review our blog on this subject.

---

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Nicole Sheahan, Chief Development Officer of Colorectal Cancer Alliance (a BBB Accredited Charity) which works to unite patients, caregivers, health care providers, cancer researchers, policymakers, and concerned citizens in a campaign to eradicate colorectal cancer. The organization also seeks to advocate effective screening, diagnoses, treatment and support for research.

• Foundation for Children in Need
• Helen Keller International
• National Hospice 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.  

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

 

 

As October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to bring attention to this important cause and provide tips to help donors make informed choices in supporting charities that address this issue. This awareness month activity started back in 1985 as a collaboration of a number of cancer charities and has since grown into a nationally recognized health education campaign.

Pink Promotions

The pink ribbon is probably one of the most recognized symbols of breast cancer awareness. Keep in mind, however, if you see that image on a product it may not mean that a purchase will help a breast cancer charity, unless it explains that is the case. Certain versions of the pink ribbon symbol are trademarked by some breast cancer charities, but a generic pink ribbon does not mean the product is connected to a charity you know.

Cause-Related Purchase 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.

Multitude of Promotions

As there are over 1,000 U.S. charities that include the words “breast cancer” as part of their name, 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. Are they engaged in medical research, treatment assistance, and/or prevention education? While some donors only consider donating to charities that request their support, be aware there are many other potential choices.

Celebrity Promotions

Sometimes 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.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance encourages donors to visit Give.org to verify if the breast cancer charity that interests you meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

In this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance presents a webinar on “Planning Your Philanthropic Legacy.” This includes a discussion about various planned giving options that donors consider in supporting charities. Guest speakers Barbara O’Reilly from Windmill Hill Consulting, Lori Kranczer from Link Elevating Philanthropy, and Jessica Birken from Birken Law Office.

---

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:

• Americares Foundation
• Last Chance for Animals
• Organization for Autism Research

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.

Canada’s Atlantic Coast, Puerto Rico and the West Coast of Florida are all still assessing the devastation caused by either Hurricane Fiona or Hurricane Ian. Cumulatively these areas experienced billions of dollars of damage and some places may not be able to fully recover to what they were before the storm.

In Canada, Fiona made landfall in Nova Scotia on September 24^th and then went on through Canada’s eastern seaboard. Wind gusts and storm surges swept away homes, downed trees smashed houses and blocked roads and caused hundreds of thousands to lose power. On October 4^th, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the creation of a fund which would provide $300 million to Atlantic Canada and Eastern Quebec over two years to help those impacted by the storm and support long-term recovery efforts.

As reported in The Washington Post, President Biden visited Puerto Rico on October 3^rd to review the damage caused by Fiona and pledged $60 million in hurricane relief funds that, among other things, will seek to help prepare coastal areas for future storms. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is currently assessing the damage made by Fiona to Puerto Rico’s power grid which was already undergoing restoration from Hurricane Maria five years earlier.

Days after Hurricane Ian hit Fort Myers Beach in Florida on September 30th, The New York Times reports that first responders were still going door to door to identify residents needing assistance or rescue. As reported by CNN, over 100 people lost their lives to Hurricane Ian in Florida and four people were killed in North Carolina. As of late Tuesday, over 400,000 people in Florida were still without power.

In general, there are three phases of disaster relief activity. First, there is a Rescue Phase where first responders seek to provide immediate assistance to help save lives and address emergency needs. Parts of Florida are still in this rescue phase. Next, is the Relief Phase which seeks to provide shelter, clothing, food, and other necessities. Many disaster relief charities are most active in this part of disaster relief activity. One of the challenges is that charities can provide temporary shelter, but some who have lost their homes, may not have an alternative place to live. The third component is the Recovery Phase that involves rebuilding homes, schools, hospitals and repairing roads. This final phase will take time to complete and will require large sums of money.

For those seeking to help those impacted by these disasters, see the list of BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., those that meet BBB Charity Standards) in this link. 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.

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast starts its third year of activity and revisits clips of previous interviews about people doing impactful charitable work in their communities.

---

Inspiring Collaboration Video

In the first episode of our Inspiring Collaboration Video Series, BBB WGA interviews Jeff Burkhart, Executive Director, Literacy Network (a BBB Accredited Charity). This organization serves approximately 1,000 low-income adults each year in Dane County, Wisconsin. With more than 500 annual volunteers, they help adults achieve their goals through personalized education services and support.

---

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:

• National Arbor Day Foundation 
• Share Our Strength
• WildAid 

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.

The severe damage that Hurricane Ian has inflicted on Florida and the anticipated recovery challenges in the days and weeks to come will prompt many to seek ways they can help. To assist donors wanting to support relief efforts, BBB Wise Giving Alliance is providing the following giving tips along with a list of BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., those that meet all 20 of the BBB Charity Standards) that are soliciting for Hurricane Ian activities.

1. Is the disaster appeal clear? The contribution request should clearly identify what disaster relief activities you are supporting. There are many possibilities such as temporary shelter, food, medical care and other emergency needs. Don’t assume what they do based solely on the group’s name.
2. Does the charity already have a presence in the impacted area?  Charities that already have support staff in the impacted areas are more likely to deliver help quickly at a time of immediate need.
3. Is the charity an experienced relief organization? Experienced relief organizations will be able to provide help with greater speed and efficiency than a newly created effort.
4. If considering crowdfunding, do you know its procedures? Some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet postings after a disaster, others don’t. Review the site’s policies and procedures to find out. If in doubt, it is always safest to donate to people who you personally know and trust.
5. Does the organization meet the 20 BBB Charity Standards? We recommend donating to charities that meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Visit BBB’s Give.org to access free evaluative reports on charities.

The following organizations are BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) and currently announced on their respective websites that they are collecting funds to assist Hurricane Ian relief efforts. Additional BBB Accredited Charities will be added as we learn about their Ian-related activities.

American Red Cross – Hurricane Ian Activities

Direct Relief – Hurricane Ian Activities

GlobalGiving – Hurricane Ian Activities

Heart to Heart International – Hurricane Ian Activities

Operation USA – Hurricane Ian Activities

Salvation Army – Hurricane Ian Activities

Save the Children – Hurricane Ian Activities

ABOUT BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE: BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org) is a standards-based charity evaluator that seeks to verify the trustworthiness of nationally soliciting charities by completing rigorous evaluations based on 20 holistic standards that address charity governance, results reporting, finances, fundraising, appeal accuracy and other issues. National charity reports are produced by BBB’s Give.org and local charity reports are produced by local Better Business Bureaus – all reports are available at Give.org.

---

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to revisit a video interview featuring Saleem Zaru, Executive Director, United Palestinian Appeal (a BBB Accredited Charity) that works to assist impoverished Palestinians through its four program areas: community and economic development, education, health and wellness, and outreach. The organization states that it launches its own programs and builds long-term relationships with partners in Palestinian territories, the refugee camps in Lebanon and Jordan, and the world at large.  

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast offers an interview with Tim Kachuriak, the Founder and Chief Innovation and Optimization Officer for NextAfter, a fundraising research lab consultancy, and training institute that works with charities and other nonprofits to help them grow their resource capacity. (Note: This episode of the Heart of Giving Podcast is made possible with the generous support of B Generous, a firm that enables donors to give now and pay later.)

As Puerto Rico, the Dominican Republic and other nearby Caribbean islands have been impacted by Hurricane Fiona and suffer from floods, power outages, home displacements and access to basic necessities such as safe water, many charitable organizations are seeking to provide emergency relief and assistance. It’s been five years since Hurricane Maria caused devastation that resulted in the loss of 3,000 lives, but memories of that horrible encounter are prompting many to do what they can to avoid a similarly tragic outcome. To help assist donors seeking to support relief efforts in this area, BBB Wise Giving Alliance is providing the following giving tips along with a list of BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., those that meet all 20 of the BBB Charity Standards) that are soliciting for Hurricane Fiona activities.

LOOK FOR APPEAL CLARITY. Seek out appeals that are upfront and clear about what disaster relief services you are supporting. A previous Give.org Donor Trust Report issued by BBB Wise Giving Alliance demonstrated that only 24% of donors believe disaster relief appeals are “clear.”

GIVE TO EXPERIENCED GROUPS. Support experienced organizations that stand ready to provide quick and effective assistance. Be cautious of newly formed organizations in the wake of a disaster. While well intended, they may not be able to follow through on their announced activities.

SEE IF THE CHARITY HAS AN ON-THE-GROUND PRESENCE. If the charity already has skilled operations in affected areas, they will be in a better position to provide help quickly and reach those in need. Also, 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 have a presence in the region.

UNDERSTANDING CROWDFUNDING. If considering crowdfunding, it is safest to give to someone you personally know and trust and review the platform’s policies and procedures. Keep in mind that while some crowdfunding sites take measures to vet postings for help after a disaster, others don’t.

GIVE MONEY RATHER THAN GOODS. Donating money is the quickest way to help and provides charities the flexibility to channel resources to impacted areas.

RELY ON EXPERT OPINION. Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. We recommend giving to charities that meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, found at BBB’s Give.org.

BE CAUTIOUS ABOUT 100 PERCENT CLAIMS. If a charity claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims, see if they also provide an explanation of how this is achieved. Even if the charity is using other funds to cover administrative and fundraising costs, those expenses still exist.

The following organizations are BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) and currently announced on their respective websites that they are collecting funds to assist Hurricane Fiona relief efforts. Additional BBB Accredited Charities will be added as we learn about their Fiona-related activities.

American Red Cross  – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Direct Relief – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Episcopal Relief and Development – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Food for the Poor – Hurricane Fiona Activities

GlobalGiving – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Hispanic Federation – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Heart to Heart International – Hurricane Fiona Activities

International Medical Corps – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Operation USA – Hurricane Fiona Activities

Save the Children – Hurricane Fiona Activities

United Methodist Committee on Relief – Hurricane Fiona Activities

ABOUT BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE: BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org) is a standards-based charity evaluator that seeks to verify the trustworthiness of nationally soliciting charities by completing rigorous evaluations based on 20 holistic standards that address charity governance, results reporting, finances, fundraising, appeal accuracy and other issues. National charity reports are produced by BBB’s Give.org and local charity reports are produced by local Better Business Bureaus – all reports are available at Give.org.

---

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to revisit a previous video interview of Simon Davies, Executive Director, Teen Cancer America (a BBB Accredited Charity) which works to empower and improve the lives of young people with cancer. The organization reports that it creates youth-centered ecosystems that support young people with cancer, their families, and healthcare professionals. 
 

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast offers Part 4 of its Powerful Black Women Giving Back series. This edition features previous interviews with Ashleigh Axios, Chief Experience Officer and Co-Owner, Coforma, Dr. Stacy Holland, Executive Director, Elevate 215, and Karen E. Osborne, Novelist and Co-Founder, The Osborne Group. Ms. Osborne also currently serves on the BBB Wise Giving Alliance Board.

 

This edition represents the 400^th post! Over seven and a half years ago, on January 14, 2015, the first entry of Wise Giving Wednesday was shared on Give.org. Over time, quite a variety of topics have appeared in this feature, including describing each of the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, offering donation advice in response to tragedies and disasters, sharing original research from the Give.org Donor Trust Reports, alerting readers to potential fraudulent solicitation practices, encouraging donations to BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., charities that meet BBB Charity Standards), and more recently, recommending how people can help those in need during times of war such as Ukraine.

From the start, we sought to alert donors that the BBB Charity Standards are based on much more than how much money charities raise or spend. They offer a comprehensive approach to accountability that recognizes, among other things, the vital oversight role of a charity’s governing body, the importance for charities to periodically measure results and goals, the value of charity transparency, and the significance of ensuring that charity appeals, and communications are accurate, complete, and respectful.

Wise Giving Wednesday also sought to look at the future of giving and the potential challenges facing donors regarding privacy and security. And we introduced new features such GiveSafely.io which provides a donation platform that uses blockchain technology to keep personal information secure and provides a safe way to give cash or cryptocurrency to trusted charities.

While it is difficult to capture or summarize the content of thousands of words that have appeared in Wise Giving Wednesday, it could be said that the vast majority has been about trust. Through many aspects of our work and outreach, BBB Wise Giving Alliance seeks to strengthen trust in charities. We are encouraging donations to trustworthy organizations and recognize the growing importance of that goal in an increasing complex charitable sector.

---

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to revisit a video featuring an interview with Michael Roberts, President and CEO,  First Nations Development Institute  (a BBB Accredited Charity ) which works to improve economic conditions for Native Americans through technical assistance and training, advocacy and policy, and direct financial grants.
 

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

This week’s Heart of Giving Podcast is the 100^th episode of this program. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers Part 3 of its Powerful Black Women Giving Back series. This edition features clips of previous interviews with Mesky Brhane, Practice Manager, The World Bank, Lysa Ratliff, CEO of KABOOM! And Elizabeth Clay Roy, CEO of Generation Citizen.

---

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 Kidney Services
• Gift of Life Marrow Registry
• Lymphatic Education and Research Network

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.

 

Last year, Wise Giving Wednesday featured a number of fundraising lessons that emerged from the solicitation activities that took place immediately following that dreadful terrorist attack 21 years ago. For this 9/11 anniversary, we would like to identify some additional insights that 9/11 brought to the charitable sector.

Communication and Networking

In the wake of a major tragedy or disaster, it is vital for charities to be able to quickly identify immediate and emerging needs so they can be addressed as soon as possible. In the 21 years since 9/11, there have been significant communication advances. While mobile phones were prevalent two decades ago, today smartphones dominate and provide the ability to exchange a large amount of data in the blink of an eye. The existence of better technology, however, is not a guarantee that charities will be able to communicate more effectively. After the 9/11 strike on the World Trade Center, telecommunications infrastructure problems as well as the lack of disaster communications plans impeded early efforts to assess needs and coordinate recovery efforts. To help address this problem, the Human Services Council of New York has since developed a disaster preparedness alert system, an emergency plan template, a disaster resilience working group, and disaster resilience trainings for nonprofits as a framework for assisting New Yorkers after a major disaster. 

Disaster planning is an important part of risk management. Nonprofits in any city, including New York, would be well advised to develop and regularly update disaster response and recovery plans. Nonprofit staff members and operations can be deeply affected by disasters, and communications can be disrupted in unanticipated ways. Having easily accessible business continuity plans and established networks to reach employees, board members, government leaders, and funders can be tremendously helpful when emergencies occur.

Identify Needs Before Raising Funds

Last year, Wise Giving Wednesday identified the importance of appeal clarity for those raising funds immediately following a disaster. Since donations must be used for purposes spelled out in solicitations, charities sending out disaster appeals should be careful to use language about the use of funds that will be broad enough to include anticipated needs, but specific enough to avoid misleading donors into thinking they will be providing services they will not.  

Within days after 9/11, a multitude of fundraising efforts emerged from charities and other entities seeking to help, but quite a few of them had no announced description other than “helping the victims and their families.” A survey of 9/11 charities completed in 2003 by the Education and Research Foundation of BBB of the Metropolitan New York (An Analysis of Survey Response Information About Funds Raised and Services Provided by 9/11 Related Charities) showed that “many organizations raised 9-11 relief money before deciding how it would be disbursed.” On the other hand, donors were seeking ways to provide immediate help, but it took some time to verify the actual needs of victims and the community itself. For additional insights about disaster relief donor expectations, see the 2019 Give.org Donor Trust Special Report on Disaster Relief Donor Expectations.

Long-Term Relief Issues

While disasters and tragedies occur quickly, the needs don’t disappear when the headlines do. Emergency needs are only one phase of disaster assistance. Most also have long-term issues ranging from structural repairs, displaced individuals, negative health impacts, employment losses and other community challenges. Donors that seek to provide help should also keep this in mind as they make future giving decisions.

The charity lessons from 9/11 are especially relevant today as floods, wildfires and other disasters appear to be taking place with increasing frequency. We hope relief and community organizations will further strengthen their abilities to address them.

---

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to revisit a video featuring an interview with Andrea J. O’Neill, Executive Director, Lupus Research Alliance (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to find better treatments and support medical research to ultimately prevent and cure systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus), a debilitating autoimmune disease.
 

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

For this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers Part 2 of its Powerful Black Women Giving Back series. This edition features clips of previous interviews with Helene Gayle, MD, President of Spelman College,  Una Osili, Ph.D., Associate Dean for Research and International Programs at the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy, and Angela Williams, President & CEO of United Way Worldwide.

---

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:

• Dan Marino Foundation
• Elk Hill
• ProLiteracy Worldwide
•  

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.

 

As many areas of the United States work to recover from recent flooding and torrential rains, across the globe another flooding tragedy has unfolded. The United Nations reports that an estimated 33 million people are impacted by devastating flooding in Pakistan that has taken more than 1,000 lives. The flooding has also damaged about one million homes and displaced 500,000 people. Damage to roads and bridges has also created difficulties in transporting aid to needy individuals. The New York Times also reports that much of the country’s farmland is under water, which will lead to further food shortages.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance certainly encourages generosity to help the victims in Pakistan but cautions donors to avoid questionable appeals by keeping the following tips in mind:

• Does the disaster relief charity meet BBB Charity Standards?  You can verify a charity’s trustworthiness by viewing an evaluative report completed by BBB Wise Giving Alliance.  See the list provided below of charities that that are soliciting for relief assistance for Pakistan and that also meet the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
• Is the charity experienced in providing disaster relief? Experienced disaster relief charities are the best bet to help deliver aid quickly and effectively. New entrants may have difficulty in following through even if they have good intentions.
• Can the charity get to the impacted area? Not all disaster relief organizations will be positioned to provide relief quickly. See if the charity already has a presence in Pakistan.
• Should you send clothing and food? Local drives to collect clothing and food to send overseas are not practical. Disaster relief organizations are better equipped to obtain what is needed, distribute it and avoid duplication of effort.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance advises contributors to support experienced organizations that are ready to provide quick and effective assistance. As always, understand that not all crowdfunding sites operate in the same way. While some vet postings for disaster assistance, others may not. Also, review the site’s security measures and find out what administrative fees might be charged.

Below is a list of BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., organizations meeting the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability) that have indicated they are raising funds for Pakistan relief assistance. More will be added as additional efforts come to our attention.

CARE USA: Pakistan Relief Activities

Catholic Relief Services: Pakistan Relief Activities

GlobalGiving:  Pakistan Relief Activities

International Medical Corps: Pakistan Relief Activities

Islamic Relief USA:  Pakistan Relief Activities

Save the Children:  Pakistan Relief Activities

USA for UNHCR – The UN Refugee Agency:  Pakistan Relief Activities

Oxfam America: Pakistan Relief Activities

---

Video of the Week

As part of the Building trust Video series, we are pleased to revisit and interview with Sheri Lamber, President and CEO, Make-A-Wish Foundation of Greater Virginia (a BBB Accredited Charity) that grants wishes to children with critical illness.  As reported by the organization, wishes are often transformative for the entire family, providing parents, siblings, and the children with something to look forward to, and then something joyful to remember.
 

---

Heart of Giving Podcast

For this week’s Heart of Giving Podcast, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers Part 1 of its Powerful Black Women Giving Back series. This edition features clips of previous interviews with Judy Belk, CEO of California Wellness Foundation, Dr. Cherise Hamblin, OBGYN and Founder of Patients are Waiting, and Asahi Pompey, Partner and Global Head of Corporate Engagement, Goldman Sachs and President, Goldman Sachs Foundation.

---

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:

• ALSAC St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
• Sequoia Parks Conservancy
• Earthwatch Institute

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.