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It is still difficult for many of us to emotionally recover from what happened at the Pulse Nightclub in Orlando this past Sunday. So many killed, so many injured and so many families and loved ones left devastated.  While the law enforcement investigations are ongoing and the story continues to unfold, it is heartening to see the outpouring of support and generosity that has emerged in response.  The one fundraising effort that is getting the lions share of attention is the Equality Florida Victims Fund on GoFundMe.com, a crowdfunding website, which as of this morning has raised $4.2 million towards its $5 million goal. 

This fundraising success provides us with several lessons. One is that crowdfunding websites provide both charities and individuals with the ability to quickly create a  vehicle to raise money within hours after a tragedy or a disaster.  Individuals seeking to make donations in support of victims and their families may not know which charities are engaged in relief, but they know the crowdfunding website.  However, there are cautions that donors should keep in mind as well.  A crowdfunding request by an established charity provides an opportunity for donors to vet the organization before making a gift, but crowdfunding requests made by individuals or families are a challenge to substantiate. Not all crowdfunding websites do a good job of screening requests that get posted.  There have been media reports of suspicious postings for the Orlando tragedy that were eventually taken down. 

Equality Florida [which consists of Equality Florida Institute, a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and a related 501(c)(4) civil rights advocacy group, Equality Florida Action] is dedicated to equality for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community throughout the state of Florida.  It produced the posting on the GoFundMe.com website but also decided to collaborate with another organization, the National Center for Victims of Crime, which has experience in establishing special funding for crime victims. This type of special collaboration is a great example of how organizations can work together to combine their outreach and expertise to help address an important need.  

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance will seek to produce current reports on both the Equality Florida Institute and the National Center for Victims of Crime.  In the meantime, donors can access our ten tips on giving in response to the Orlando tragedy.  

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video featuring Collin O’Mara, President & CEO of the National Wildlife Federation (a BBB Accredited Charity).  As you will see in Collin’s video interview, the National Wildlife Federation is engaged in public outreach in seeking to get children and families more connected with nature, wildlife and the outdoors.   

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: 

• Campaign for Tobacco-Free Kids
• International Campaign for Tibet
• Orphan Grain Train  

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

There is an old Scottish proverb that says “What may be done at any time will be done at no time.”  Life is busy. Things to do.  And many of us make our charity contributions during the last quarter as we enter the giving season. It’s when appeals and generosity reminders appear everywhere we turn.  However, there are clear advantages in spreading out our gifts throughout the year and not waiting until the last minute. 

As noted in the piece I wrote for Forbes, “Consider These Factors Before Making Your Next Contribution Decision,” it’s important to take time to select causes and charities that we care about: “While it’s certainly possible to know this at the end of the year, it doesn’t hurt to give yourself more time to decide on what matters to you most.”  

And spreading our gifts also provides more opportunities to research charities to make sure we agree with their focus and verify their trustworthiness. Sadly, studies conducted by Money for Good show that only 38% of donors report researching at least one charity before donating. 

Who knows, by providing more time to check out charities, it’s possible one might find new organizations to support and ignite additional interests in  philanthropy. 

Video of the Week 

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Harold Wimmer, President and CEO, American Lung Association (a BBB Accredited Charity) which supports lung health through research, advocacy and health education. The organization reports that it funds research into the causes, prevention, and cures of lung diseases, including lung cancer, asthma, COPD and influenza. ALA also advocates at the national and local level to protect lung health, including fighting for healthy air, smokefree environments, tobacco regulation, smoking prevention, smoking cessation programs, lung health programs and medical research. 

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:

• Children’s Tumor Foundation
• Cure SMA
• Operation Underground Railroad 

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

Last year, BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB WGA) joined forces with Community Health Charities, a nonprofit representing more than 2,000 health and wellness charities, to promote transparency and high standards of conduct among health charities, especially at the workplace.

Through this partnership, Community Health Charities is asking all member charities to provide information for an independent BBB evaluation and report. The reports will then be available free of charge on Give.org. For Community Health Charities, the partnership is a clear commitment to the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and a way to signal that employers and donors can have the added confidence of a BBB independent evaluation. For BBB Wise Giving Alliance, this partnership represents an opportunity to raise awareness about the importance of trustworthiness in donor charitable choices and a new way to proactively engage with national and local charities that have not already been subjects of our review process.

We commend Community Health Charity’s decision to ensure that companies and employees have access to vetted health resources, volunteering, and giving opportunities. We have already heard from many charities that have initiated the evaluation process and are actively engaged with us in working towards meeting the Standards for Charity Accountability.  Some of the charities that completed the process and attained all of our Standards include: the ALS Association Golden West Chapter,  Ability Connection of Oklahoma, Cystic Fibrosis Research, Minnesota Brain Injury Alliance, and Oregon Lions Sight & Hearing Foundation.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Tom Bognanno, President and CEO of Community Health Charities, discussing the collaboration project.

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:

• Camp Fire
• National Jewish Health
• The Hunger Project

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

Since 1994, GuideStar has been most known for providing access to the annual federal financial forms filed by charities and other tax-exempt nonprofit organizations, the IRS Form 990.  A few weeks ago, GuideStar announced a new format for their organization profiles.  We thought we would alert readers to some features that can be of particular interest to charity donors. 

Free Access to IRS Form 990s: Those who are familiar with GuideStar can be assured that the IRS Form 990 continues to be accessible at no charge. In fact, three years worth of 990’s can be accessed – just look at the right side of an organization’s profile and click on the green button marked “Forms 990.”  (For first-time visitors to the site, please note that GuideStar requires registration to access a certain portion of information on its site but that registration is free.)   

Charting Impact : Back in 2010, BBB WGA engaged in a collaboration with both Independent Sector and GuideStar to produce Charting Impact, a reporting framework that consists of five (5) questions that charities can answer to help produce a report on their goals, strategies, capabilities, progress and accomplishments. Completing this reporting framework is also a means to help charities meet BBB Charity Standard 7.  We are pleased to note that GuideStar’s new organizational profiles place a significant spotlight on Charting Impact by placing this information at the beginning of the profile. This also helps donors avoid potential donor over-emphasis on charity financial information. Charities seeking to complete Charting Impact can access the following GuideStar link. 

In addition to the above, GuideStar profiles provide information on operations, interactive graphs that show finances over a period of time, and board leadership and diversity information. 

BBB Wise Giving Alliance believes that the more information that is available to donors, the better informed they are in making their contribution decisions. 

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Shawn Sweeney, Sr., Director of Community Engagement of the Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife, Research, Education and Conservation (a BBB Accredited Charity).  The Jane Goodall Institute works to promote understanding and protection of great apes and their habitat on the legacy of Dr. Jane Goodall, its founder, and to inspire individual action by young people to help animals and to protect the environment. 

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:  

• Episcopal Relief and Development
• Feeding America
• National Audubon Society 

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

Strong earthquakes are frightening, devastating and immediately pull on our heartstrings. Nepal’s earthquake is no exception.  BBB Wise Giving Alliance encourages donors to respond but also be mindful of the giving tips in this link, which also includes a list of BBB Accredited Charities (i.e., charities that meet all 20 BBB Charity Standards) that are raising funds for various Nepal relief efforts. 

Media headlines about the Nepal earthquake and other disasters grab our attention.  The pictures are wrenching and the stories move us.   However, it is important to recognize that disasters are not fully resolved after the initial fund raising frenzy is over. It’s actually a long term effort that will involve different charities at various stages of development:  Emergency response, Disaster relief and Recovery. 

At the Emergency Response stage, the focus is on search and rescue, saving lives, and providing immediate medical attention.  This stage can last for five to ten days or more as relief workers sift through rubble, seeking trapped individuals, and helping others who were seriously hurt in the quake. This is the stage where the pictures and media cameras show us the horrible tragedy up close and motivate many of us to open our hearts and wallets to assist.  Keep in mind that not every Nepal relief charity is engaged in emergency response activities. Visit the charity’s website to find out what their specific activities will be. 

The Disaster Relief stage will involve the first month or more as the surviving population seeks temporary shelter, clothing, food and other essentials.  Relief charities often remind donors not to send packages of donated clothing and canned goods.  Although well intentioned, such efforts can create delivery challenges and other problems. Established charities prefer cash donations so that they can more easily get the items closest to the actual disaster in the quantities and types that are needed. 

The Recovery stage can last for a year or more and will involve rebuilding homes and communities to help restore areas to their previous level of functionality. This takes proper planning and careful coordination with the impacted population.  

So remember, the relief needs and activities don’t disappear when the headlines do. There are many opportunities to help and charities are counting on donors to think of them throughout the year as Nepal works its way from emergency response to recovery.  

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

• Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America
• InterVarsity Christian Fellowship/USA
• Livestrong Foundation
• SIGN Fracture Care International
• WaterAid America

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

Back in February, BBB Wise Giving Alliance alerted the charitable community about a fake-check overpayment scam.  It appears this scam is continuing using different names and affiliations, but the same scenario.  Charities receive an email from an individual expressing interest in making a five-figure donation and then sends the gift using overnight mail. Next, the scammer informs the charity he/she made an error and sent too much and asks the charity to immediately return a portion of the donation (several thousand dollars or more) to cover some type of medical emergency.  The charity returns the requested money, through a wire transfer or other quick method. The charity later discovers the original donation check is fake, and the organization has lost the amount it sent back to the individual.  

If a charity receives an email as described, we encourage the organization to post a notice on BBB Scam Tracker, a free interactive tool for individuals in the United States and Canada to report scams and fraud while warning others of malicious or suspicious activity.  BBB also collaborates and shares scam report data with law enforcement agencies. 

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Jean Knaack, Executive Director of Road Runners Club of America (a BBB Accredited Charity) which promotes the development and growth of running clubs and running events, and supports the interests of recreational runners. 

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: 

• RISE International
• Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights
• Swim Across America 

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

There were many ceremonies and remembrances honoring the 15^th anniversary of September 11^th which took place this past Sunday. This also brings to mind what we experienced 15 years ago. Among other things, BBB Wise Giving Alliance received an unprecedented degree of media interest about fundraising efforts which were taking place in the wake of that terrorist attack. I joined the BBB Wise Giving Alliance staff just a few months earlier but never anticipated that the organization would face such a unique and demanding challenge in terms of helping donors give thoughtfully. 

A study released in 2003 by the Education and Research Foundation of the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York contacted over 500 organizations from 37 states and 2 countries that were raising funds for some aspect of assistance regarding September 11^th victims, their families and/or other relief purposes. It is not surprising that this volume of activity led to some confusion among donors and those seeking help. A GAO (U.S. Government Accountability Office) report issued in December 2002 indicated that an estimated $2.7 billion was raised and made the keen observation that “more effective collaboration could enhance charitable organizations’ contributions in disasters.” This collaboration lesson is one that continues to grow in importance today, not just for disaster relief, but for all types of charitable organizations. 

Another key lesson learned is the importance of communicating accurately to the public about charity activities and how collected funds will be used, both in the immediate aftermath and longer-term, when vital disaster-related needs often emerge.  In some past cases, vague announcements about raising funds to help victims have led to donor misperceptions concerning what programs their contributions would support or how quickly those funds would be distributed or used.  While some of the larger relief-focused charities received a lot of scrutiny and attention and collected the bulk of funds raised, there were also a significant number of newly-created entities as well as charities without any experience in relief assistance that were collecting funds as well.  Sometimes these well-intentioned smaller efforts had no initial plans for how they would spend the amounts raised, which probably made it hard for them to issue clear fundraising appeals.   

This communication challenge is complicated by the nature of the disaster, which may disable telephone and internet connections at charities, businesses, and first responder groups, making it extremely difficult to coordinate relief activities.  Transportation and electrical facilities can also be disrupted in the wake of a major disaster.  In turn, staff may be unable to report to work at charities at a point in time when their services are needed the most; and staff members may themselves be disaster victims.  This can make it difficult to quickly identify the specific assistance that is needed and where it needs to be delivered. Another September 11^th lesson is that it can take time and be problematic to identify genuine victims, which further adds to delays in providing help. 

Nevertheless, charities on the scene with relevant expertise are sometimes able to identify unserved needs, stretch resources and provide help much faster than federal, state or local government agencies.  Government disaster relief funders are often burdened by procedures and paperwork that they are required to follow.  Some private funders choose to wait until government aid is finalized so that they can avoid duplication of effort; this may leave early-responding charities without needed funding streams at a critical time. It can be a Catch 22 scenario, but today funders and charities are more aware of these problems and are joining forces to try to anticipate such dilemmas and manage them more effectively with disaster plans.     

Some donors unrealistically expect charities to spend disaster funds as quickly as they are raised, which may be problematic and even inadvisable, given the circumstances. Even so, in the case of 9/11, most funds raised were quickly disbursed to meet urgent needs.  The mentioned study completed by BBB Foundation of Metro New York showed that by early 2003, 74% of all reported September 11^th contributions had been used and four of the most-well known groups had spent 95 percent of their donations.  Some charities raised funds for longer-term needs (e.g., reconstruction, scholarships, etc.) which will continue long after the headlines are gone.  Of course, when this is the case, it needs to be disclosed fully at the moment of solicitation. 

Providing an accounting of how funds are used is especially important for organizations engaging in disaster or tragedy-based fund raising. For example, charities can be transparent as events are unfolding by providing website updates about amounts raised and how they are being used. Today’s relief assistance donors eagerly seek information about how their contributions are taking effect, and may not want to wait until the audited financial statements and IRS Form 990 are available a year later. 

On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Jim Stofan, Chief Operating Officer of Defenders of Wildlife (a BBB Accredited Charity) works to protect and restore imperiled species throughout North America by transforming policies and institutions and promoting solutions. Defenders promotes the conservation and restoration of North America’s vulnerable species through habitat preservation and restoration on public lands, securing greater wildlife conservation funding and defending and strengthening wildlife and public land management laws and policies.

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 Diabetes Association
• National Parks Conservation Association
• United Spinal Association  

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