The wide diversity of charity missions and objectives is one of the charitable sector’s greatest strengths. For any cause you can consider, there can be hundreds of organizations seeking to address some aspect of the same issue. Whether it is saving the environment, feeding the homeless, researching cures for diseases or promoting religious beliefs, one can find different charities of all sizes and experience. This diversity, however, also can present some challenges as well, particularly when one seeks to address matters such as charity impact - identifying how well a charity is addressing its mission. While there are a variety of approaches to further define the meaning of charity impact, most efforts seek to describe a charity’s recent accomplishments, particularly in relation to the charity’s stated goals.

The diversity of charity missions also adds a time element - some charity activities are addressing immediate needs (such as emergency relief after a natural disaster) while others are engaged in activities that may require many years of efforts before the desired results are achieved (for example, addressing climate change or finding cancer cures). In other words, some charities, by their nature, are engaged in different types of goals that result in radical or immediate change while others are working hard but anticipate incremental change or small steps gained over a long period.

These time element differences are often overlooked for those seeking to review information about a charity’s impact. In addition, there is a tendency, especially among younger donors, to expect immediate results from their generosity. This cultural trend is evidenced, in part, by the popularity of such efforts as crowdfunding, where contributors can immediately see how their donation adds to achieve the announced fundraising goal.

In our view, charity impact is best considered when it is viewed in the context of the facts and circumstances of the specific charity being considered. This recognition is also reflected in Charting Impact a framework of five questions that organizations of all types, sizes and missions can use to describe what they want to achieve and what they have already accomplished. This framework was developed a number of years ago in a BBB WGA collaboration with Independent Sector and Candid (previously known as GuideStar). The completion of such a report is also a way for a charity to meet BBB Charity Standard 7.

Video of the Week

As part of the Building Trust Video series, we are pleased to provide a video interview that features Jamie Amelio, founder and CEO, Caring for Cambodia (a BBB Accredited Charity) that seeks to educate a generation of Cambodian children today, to make a difference for Cambodia's tomorrow. CFC reports that it provides education to 6,600 students at 12 preschools, 5 primary schools, 2 junior high schools and 2 senior high schools in Siem Reap, Cambodia. Classrooms are safe, modern and technologically equipped. The organization mentors and professionally trains teaching staff and funds supplies and other tools needed to teach.

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:

• Boys Town
• Grameen Foundation
• Patient Advocate Foundation

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