Julia Louis-Dreyfus, Angelina Jolie and Wanda Sykes. These are just a few of the celebrities that have brought significant attention to the cause of breast cancer awareness.  As we continue our series of blogs for Breast Cancer Awareness Month, we wanted to recognize well-known personalities that have helped countless individuals recognize the importance of testing, treatment options, research and the need to support charities that address some aspect of this devastating disease. 

For donors, however, we also share the interest in making sure a celebrity’s appeal results in support for a trusted charity. Famous entertainers can reach us about the importance of a cause, but it’s up to us to make sure we put our donations to good use. While the amount of time celebrities have devoted to this cause reflects their generous spirit, in donation decisions, it is the charity that needs to gain your trust. 

To verify the trustworthiness of a breast-cancer organization, visit Give.org to find out if the charity meets the 20 BBB Standard for Charity Accountability. These standards address a variety of issues such as charity governance, finances, results reporting, appeal accuracy, transparency, and cause-related marketing disclosures.

Video of the Week

As part of our Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video that features Lynda Houk, Executive Director, Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer (a BBB Accredited Charity evaluated by the Better Business Bureau serving Northern Indiana.)  This organization raises funds for the Vera Bradley Foundation for Breast Cancer Research Laboratories at the Indiana University Bren Simon Cancer Center in Indianapolis, Indiana. 

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:

• Community Health Charities
• National Kidney Foundation
• Prison Fellowship Ministries 

Finally, remember to let us know by going to https://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