During the holiday season, as donors seek to assist those in need, some will be drawn to the requests for help appearing
on Crowdfunding websites. Donors should keep in mind, however, that not all crowdfunding sites operate in the
same way. Below are some tips excerpted from the
crowdfunding cover story that appeared in a previous edition of the
Wise Giving Guide magazine:
Charities can be checked
Crowdfunding websites run by charitable organizations can provide opportunities to learn more about the
organization’s programs, finances and whether they are registered to solicit with state government agencies.
In addition, third-party sources such as reports on
Give.org
can help donors verify that the charities meet recognized standards.
Be especially careful after a disaster or tragedy
Watch out for those seeking to take advantage of high public sympathy immediately after a disaster or tragedy
by setting up a crowdfunding project that may have no official connection to any charitable organization and may
be using names and photos of victims without the families’ permission.
Specialized crowdfunding sites may be more adept If a crowdfunding sites specializes in a particular
kind of activity such as medical funding, school projects (
DonorsChoose.org
) or overseas development (
GlobalGiving.org
), there is a greater chance they will have the experience and skills to engage in more oversight over the featured
projects.
Read the fine print Crowdfunding sites vary in terms of whether the donors or the project organizer
will be charged for site administrative costs and credit card fees. If a project does not achieve its targeted
fundraising goal, sites also vary as to whether the donation will be refunded.
On a separate note, as part of our Building Trust Video Series we are pleased to provide a video that features Besa Pinchotti,
Communications Director of the
National Military Family Association (a
BBB Accredited Charity). The NMFA is an organization that works to strengthen and protect Uniformed Services
families through its advocacy activities and programs that include spouse scholarships, camps for military kids,
and retreats for families reconnecting after deployment and the families of the wounded, ill and injured.
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
