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.
Wise Giving Wednesday: And the Oscar® Goes To…Charity Ribbons
As a symbol of achievement in the movie industry and perhaps worldwide, the Oscars are probably one of the most recognized
awards given out today. While there is no equivalent in philanthropy, it is interesting to note that one connection
to charity in this year’s awards ceremony is the appearance of the
blue ribbon, representing support for the American Civil Liberties Union, on the dresses and lapels of many of
the celebrities attending the event. That subtle but visible, cloth attachment quickly communicates with the
public about a cause without saying a word.
Over the years, different color ribbons have become a staple of charity messaging. It is hard to know when it all got
started, but in my younger years, I remember Tony Orlando’s 1973 pop hit, “Tie a Yellow Ribbon Round the Old Oak
Tree” which many interpreted as a symbol for a loved one who would be welcomed home after a long absence, especially
the military. Soon the yellow ribbon became a universal symbol of support for active service members and their families
and today, is incorporated for use by many veterans and military service organizations.
And of course, most of us have seen the pink ribbon, an awareness symbol of the breast cancer cause, that is used by
many charities seeking to find a cure or assist those afflicted with this disease. And, then there is the red
ribbon representing HIV/AIDS awareness. Other colors have filled out this ribbon rainbow to bring public attention
to various campaigns and I am sure additional ones will be created over time.
Ribbon awareness can certainly help in charity outreach, but the public needs to be cautious when such symbols appear
on retail products without any disclosure indicating how their purchase will benefit the cause. See
BBB Charity Standard 19 for information on the recommended disclosures for cause-related marketing.
Whatever charity ribbon you decide to wear proudly, remember to also take the time to verify if the sponsoring organization
also meets the
BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video of Fran Solomon, Founder
and President of
HealGrief (a
BBB Accredited Charity) which offers virtual, online support for bereaved individuals.
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:
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
