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Heart of Giving podcast, Mary Cahalane

Jun 14, 2023

This week our guest is Mary Cahalane, the principal of Hands-On Fundraising. Mary is a consultant and donor communications expert and she specializes in strengthening giving programs with effective donor communications and smart planning advice. Learn more about her work in today's episode.

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Wise Giving Wednesday: Back-to-School Demands Put Extra Pressure on Charities Helping Kids

Charities are facing rising back-to-school needs with fewer resources. Learn how you can help support kids and families this school year with tips from Give.org

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Wise Giving Wednesday: Key Tips for Organizing a Charity Golf Event

Read BBB Wise Giving Alliance's advice for planning charity golf events, and get key tips on budgeting, sponsors, disclosures, and volunteer coordination.

Wise Giving Wednesday: What 2026 Tax Code Changes Mean for Charitable Giving

Learn how the 2026 tax code changes will impact individual and corporate charitable deductions and what that could mean for charities.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Charity Fraud Alert - Watch Out for Fake-Check Donation Scams

Learn about how a fake-check donation scam nearly cost a BC animal charity $70K and see BBB Wise Giving Alliance guidance on reporting fraud.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Live Aid at 40 - Music, Generosity & Lessons for Today

Remember Live Aid? Celebrate 40 years and learn how to give wisely when music supports disaster relief and other causes.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Avoiding New Online Fundraising Scams

Don’t fall for viral scams. Learn how a fake TikTok cat charity video & spoofed Venmo accounts trick donors and get tips to give safely.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Tips for Evaluating New Charities

Thinking about donating to a new charity? Learn how to research nonprofits under 18 months old with these trusted tips from BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

BBB’s Give.org Study: 69% worry about their information being hacked when first donating to a charity

Privacy and security matter: New BBB Give.org Donor Trust Report reveals how concerns about data use, hacks, and AI influence charitable giving and trust in charities.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Minnesota Nonprofit to be Dissolved Over Governance Violations

A charity will dissolve after Minnesota’s AG cites conflicts and weak oversight. Learn about the violations and how BBB Charity Standards guard against them.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Memorial Day Giving to Support Veterans

Looking to donate this Memorial Day? Find vetted veterans and military charities that meet BBB Standards. Give confidently with tips from Give.org.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Launches Charity Standards Revision Project

BBB's Give.org launches charity standards revision project with a 20-member Advisory Committee to address evolving trust and accountability needs in the charitable sector.

How to Help Victims of the Midwest Tornadoes

Learn how to support Midwest tornado relief wisely. Get BBB Wise Giving Alliance tips for safe, effective, and trustworthy giving after the disaster.

Wise Giving Wednesday: A Look Inside Our Charity Evaluation Process

Go behind the scenes of BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s charity evaluations. Learn how we promote trust through our standards-based, transparent review process.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Homelessness Is Rising—Here’s How You Can Help Responsibly

Homelessness hit record highs in 2024. Learn how to help the unhoused and support trusted charities making a difference.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Spring Cleaning? Here’s How to Donate Goods Wisely

Spring cleaning? Make your donated goods count. Learn how to give wisely and avoid common donation pitfalls with these springtime giving tips.

How to Support Earthquake Relief Efforts in Myanmar and Thailand

Want to help after the Myanmar and Thailand earthquake? Get smart giving tips and see trusted BBB Accredited Charities aiding relief efforts.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Supporting Food Banks Impacted by Federal Funding Cuts

Federal funding cuts are creating new challenges for food banks nationwide. Learn about the challenges and how you can support hunger relief efforts in your community.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Helping Charities Impacted by Government Funding Changes

Funding cuts from federal agencies are affecting many charities. Explore our list of BBB Accredited Charities that receive government funding.

Wise Giving Wednesday: International Women’s Day & Women’s Leadership in Philanthropy

Celebrate International Women’s Day by recognizing the growing role of women in philanthropy. Learn about key giving trends and support trusted charities at Give.org.

Wise Giving Wednesday: A Charity That Mows for Those in Need

Looking for meaningful ways to give back? Learn about a unique charity offering free lawn care to those in need and discover tips for choosing the right volunteer opportunity.

Wise Giving Wednesday: State Government Settlement Agreements & Actions Against Charities

Explore updated state government settlement agreements and actions against charities. See how these regulatory requirements compare to the voluntary BBB Charity Standards.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Honor World Cancer Day by Supporting Trusted Cancer Charities

Honor World Cancer Day by donating to trusted cancer charities. Get tips for making informed giving decisions and explore our list of BBB Accredited cancer charities.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Videos to Help You Donate Wisely to California Wildfire Relief

Learn how to donate wisely and avoid scams during California wildfire relief efforts. Watch and share BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s three videos with essential tips and insights.

Wise Giving Wednesday: How to Avoid Scams When Donating to Wildfire Relief

Don’t let scammers exploit your generosity. BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers advice to help you safely donate to Southern California wildfire relief.

Trusted Charities Supporting Southern California Wildfire Relief

Find trusted charities supporting Southern California wildfire victims. Support BBB Accredited Charities that meet high standards for trust and accountability.

Wise Giving Wednesday: How to Support Southern California Fire Relief

Learn how to support Southern California wildfire relief efforts. Find trusted charities, avoid scams, and give with confidence using BBB Give.org's tips.

Wise Giving Wednesday: Popularity of Checkout Counter Contributions

Discover insights on checkout counter donations, their popularity, and tips for consumers and retailers to ensure transparency and trust in giving.

Donor Trust Report 2024: Trust and Giving Attitudes Across U.S. Regions and Religious Affiliation

New report reveals religiously affiliated individuals are more likely to trust charities. Explore donor trust and giving attitudes in the 2024 Donor Trust Report.

Basic Giving Tips

Before donating, make sure you’re making smart, informed choices. These essential giving tips will help you maximize your impact and avoid common pitfalls.

Charity Mailing List Removal

Getting too many charity mailings? Learn how to remove your name from mailing lists and take control of the donation requests you receive.

Guide to Car Donations

Thinking about donating your car? Our Guide to Car Donations covers six key things to know, FAQs, and a list of BBB Accredited Charities that accept vehicle donations.

Tips for Supporting Military and Veterans Charities

Get tips for donating to military and veterans charities with confidence. Learn how to verify organizations, avoid scams, and support causes that truly help veterans.

Tips for Donating to Police and Firefighter Charities

Ensure your donations to police and firefighter charities truly support first responders and your community. Learn how to avoid misleading appeals.

How to Handle Charity Telemarketing Calls

Get smart about charity telemarketing calls. Learn key questions to ask, how to verify legitimacy, and how to opt out of future calls.

Used Goods Donations Tips

Before donating used goods, learn how to ensure your contributions truly benefit charities. Get tips on thrift stores, drop-off bins, and tax deductions.

Charity Sweepstakes: What You Should Know

Charity sweepstakes offer a chance to win prizes while supporting a cause. Learn what to look for to ensure transparency and trustworthiness.

Understanding Child Sponsorship

Thinking about child sponsorship? Learn how these programs work, how funds are used, and what questions to ask before committing to a donation.

Deducting Contributions: What Donors Should Know

Learn about properly deducting charitable contributions on your taxes. Get key tips on eligibility, record-keeping, and IRS requirements.

Disaster Relief Donations Tips

When disaster strikes, generosity matters. Learn how to donate effectively, avoid scams, and support trusted disaster relief organizations.

Consejos para Donaciones de Ayuda en Desastres

Cuando ocurre un desastre, la generosidad es clave. Aprenda a donar de manera efectiva, evitar fraudes y apoyar organizaciones de ayuda confiables.

Planned Giving: How to Make a Lasting Impact

Planned giving allows you to support a charity in the future through your will or other financial arrangements. Learn key tips to help you plan ahead.

BBB Wise Giving Alliance strengthens public confidence in charities by promoting wise giving and trustworthy charity practices. Charities are evaluated, at no charge, based on 20 BBB Charity Standards. The resulting reports are available on Give.org.

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Heart of Giving podcast, Mary Cahalane

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