As Valentine’s Day approaches, most of us will think of how to demonstrate our affection for loved ones. While we wish a happy Valentine’s Day to all of our readers, we also hope that this day will inspire some to recognize the special place our hearts have for charities and how we might explore ways to show our support for our favorite causes. Here are some suggestions to consider.

Help Hearts Stay Healthy
February, coincidentally, is Heart Month. So consider supporting a charity that addresses cardiovascular disease, such as the American Heart Association, a BBB Accredited Charity that has been involved in public health education, research, professional education, training and community services for almost a century.

Warming Hearts with Warm Clothing
As cold weather is hitting most of us this winter, another Valentine’s option is to make in-kind gifts of coats and clothing to charities that accept such contributions. But before doing this, be sure to check out the charity to see if there is a BBB Charity Report specifying if the organization meets the BBB Charity Standards. Also, check with your state government’s charity registration office which is usually a division of either the office of the Attorney General or the Secretary of State. About 40 of the 50 states require such charity registration. In Canada, check with the Canada Revenue Agency. Also don’t assume that clothing collected in metal bins is distributed to the poor. Some may be sold in charity thrift shops to help raise funds. Or, in other cases, the metal bin placed in a parking lot may have no connection to charity whatsoever.

Send a Valentine to Your Own Heart
People feel good with they give to help others. It instills a sense of community as well as self-esteem. In a way, it’s a mental health Valentine to yourself. To further explore this objective, read the following blog (How Donating to a Charity Can Boost Mental Health) from our colleague, Kelsey Gardipee, Charity Review Manager at the Better Business Bureau Great West & Pacific.

Video of the Week

As part of the Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Nancy Brown, Chief Executive Officer of the American Heart Association (a BBB Accredited Charity) which seeks to improve cardiovascular health of all Americans while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke. The organization also reports that it works as a catalyst connecting across sectors, communities, and countries to drive toward an equitable and healthy world. AHA works to accelerate heart and brain science through grants. AHA also translates science and advocates to see it applied in the healthcare system, in public policies, and in communities. The organization provides science-based treatment guidelines to healthcare professionals to help them provide quality care to their patients, and educates lawmakers, policymakers and the public to advocate for changes to protect and improve the health of our schools, worksites, and communities. 

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:

• Caring for Cambodia
• National Alliance to End Homelessness
• NeedyMeds

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