For many charities, the most important time of year for contributions is approaching: the holiday giving season during the last quarter. The challenge in 2020 is particularly significant since in-person fundraising was essentially ground to a halt due to COVID-19 and groups that relied on in-person fundraising events to help raise funds experienced significant shortfalls. As reported in the The NonProfit Times this week, charities that switched these events to virtual alternatives are receiving 50 percent or less than they typically receive for in-person events like walkathons, runs or bike rides.

For most of the nationally-soliciting charities evaluated by BBB Wise Giving Alliance, direct mail fundraising continues to dominate as the main source of contributions revenue. Back in April, The Chronicle of Philanthropy reported charities were adjusting their appeal content to let donors know how the pandemic was affecting them in terms of finances and/or program service delivery. Some charities, particularly those that were addressing current issues related to COVID and the resulting increase in unemployment, saw successful results in their direct mail campaigns while others have been experiencing shortfalls.

As we enter the beginning of the 2020 giving season, however, charities face additional challenges. The controversies over cut-backs in the U.S. Postal Service that were announced and some of which have been rescinded due to Congressional pressure still leave uncertainties about how future mail delivery could be impacted. Also, COVID-19 concerns are expected to result in an unprecedented large volume of mail-in voting for the November elections. This has the potential to slow down direct mail delivery for charity appeals and corresponding donor responses, but it is too early to tell to what extent that will occur.

For now, the best advice we can share with concerned donors is to not wait for a written request in the mail. Take the initiative and support your favorite charities by going directly to the charity’s website and make a donation. That will help ensure they receive your support sooner. No matter how you decide to send your contributions, BBB WGA continues to encourage donors to verify if the charity meets the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability by visiting Give.org.

Video of the Week

As part of the Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video interview with Tim Earley, CEO of Make-A-Wish Foundation of Georgia (a BBB Accredited Charity) which grants wishes to Georgia children, between the ages of 2 1/2 and 18, living with a progressive, degenerative or malignant medical condition that has placed their life in jeopardy. The organization reports that it grants between 300 and 400 wishes every year.

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:

• March of Dimes Foundation
• National Audubon Society
• PetSmart Charities

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