Tag: featured

As millions of Americans face food insecurity due to the potential SNAP benefits pause, nonprofits and donors alike are stepping up to meet the growing need.

SNAP Suspension Could Affect 42 Million Americans

As a result of the ongoing government shutdown, the U.S. Department of Agriculture announced that it lacks the funds to distribute benefits for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, starting November 1.

As reported by CNN, this suspension will affect nearly 42 million people, or 1 in 8 Americans, with approximately 39% of recipients being children, 20% seniors, and 10% people with disabilities.

The Associated Press reported that “food banks and pantries were already struggling after federal program cuts this year, but now they’re bracing for a tsunami of hungry people if a pause in federal food aid to low-income people kicks in…”

Feeding America: “This Is Not About Politics. It Is About People.”

In a statement released on October 24, Claire Babineaux-Fontenot, CEO of BBB Accredited Charity Feeding America, said:

“We are not alone in our understanding that families everywhere are on the brink of, or have already been forced to make, impossible choices between food and other necessities like housing and health care.

For the Feeding America network, this is not about politics. It is about people.

The most challenging and heartbreaking situation for staff members and volunteers is when the pantry shelves are empty, and they must turn people away—veterans, seniors, families with young children.”

Ways to Support Food-Insecure Families During SNAP Benefits Pause

If you are looking to help during the SNAP benefits pause, consider the following:

• Support National or Local Food Banks: Food banks operate at both local and national levels. Some partner with community businesses and farmers to recover food that would otherwise go to waste, while others collaborate to advocate for expanded food access and address underlying causes of hunger. For example, visit Feeding America (a BBB Accredited Charity) to support a nationwide network or help locate a food bank near you.
• Support Other Organizations Helping Those Affected: Other assistance programs, such as preschool support and initiatives that aid mothers and infants, may also be affected. The loss of SNAP benefits may also affect families’ ability to pay for housing, medical bills, pet care, and other essential needs. If you care most about health, children, or animals, consider donating to charities serving those areas.
• There are Multiple Ways to Give: You can support food banks through monetary donations, donating nonperishable food items like canned or boxed goods, or volunteering your time. Ask the charity how you can best support them.
• Give to Trustworthy Charities: Visit Give.org to see if the charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., a BBB Accredited Charity). If a BBB charity report is not available on a shelter, review the organization’s website for additional details about its services, needs, and achievements.

AskGive and Building Donor Trust with AI: A Conversation with Handshake’s Lev Gorelov

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:

• CHC: Creating Healthier Communities
• Favor International
• Keep America Beautiful

As the giving season approaches, many charities will feature powerful photos in their fundraising appeals. But what should donors and nonprofits keep in mind when it comes to how those images are used?

Why the Holiday Season Sees a Surge in Fundraising Appeals

With the holiday season just around the corner, donors will see the traditional uptick in appeals to give. Many charities rely on donations around the holidays to “keep the lights on” during the leaner months, and the sense of goodwill surrounding the holidays makes it an ideal time to reach out to donors.

The old adage goes “one picture is worth 1,000 words,” and charities will use them to tug on heartstrings, especially as the year winds down and donation appeals ramp up. And donors may have a little extra cash to give from the end of tax season or holiday bonuses.

As you prepare to give this holiday season, we’d like to address the use of photos in fundraising appeals.

How BBB Standards Guide Transparency and Accountability in Fundraising Images

BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standard 15 is the backbone of our efforts to ensure charities are held accountable in their fundraising materials.

Standard 15 calls for solicitation and informational materials to be “accurate, truthful, and not misleading, both in whole and in part.”

4 Things to Keep in Mind About Photos in Donation Appeals

Below we highlight some of the issues to consider, whether you are a potential donor or part of a charity. We encourage donors to “trust but verify” and charities to build trust through accountability and transparency.

• Misleading or outdated images: If an appeal features a photo of a child assisted by the charity, readers will likely assume it’s a current photo. If, for some reason, the photo is more than three years old, charities should note its age.

• Disaster images not tied to the appeal: Donors also expect that images in emergency aid appeals for a specific disaster depict that particular event. If generic photos or images from a different disaster are used, the charity should make that clear.

• Permission for use of children’s photos: Charities should obtain permission from parents or guardians before using a child’s photo in a solicitation appeal, whether online, in direct mail appeals, on billboards, or through other communication channels.

• Labeling of AI-generated images: Most donors are cautious about the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in charity appeals, especially when it comes to images. BBB Wise Giving Alliance is reviewing how AI-generated visuals are being used to identify situations that could be misleading. If a charity opts to use an AI-created image instead of a real photo, being transparent about it can help build trust.

AskGive Featured on News 5 Cleveland

We’re proud to share that AskGive, our free AI-powered Donor Advisor, was recently featured on News 5 Cleveland.

In the segment, reporter Mike Brookbank explores how AskGive helps donors connect with trustworthy charities and make informed, trustworthy giving decisions—an especially timely topic as the giving season approaches.

Watch the full feature below and try out AskGive so it can support your giving journey.

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:

• American Battlefield Trust
• Inheritance of Hope
• Amoud Foundation for Education and Development
  

October shines a light on the ongoing fight against breast cancer — and inspires many people to give. Before donating or buying “pink” products, here’s how to make sure your support truly makes an impact.

Choose a Trustworthy Breast Cancer Charity That Matches Your Goals

One challenge in supporting the fight against breast cancer is the number of charities supporting the cause, whether through research, awareness, education, or treatment.

We encourage donors to find out what a given charity does to find the right fit. Examine any appeals for donations, the charity’s websites, and the annual report to get a better sense of the organization’s programs.

You may find that the organization focuses on education, when you want to support research. Visit our Cancer Cause Page to learn more about the three main types of cancer charity organizations.

Keep in mind that if you don’t feel comfortable with the charity asking for a donation, for any reason, you can find a better match.

Understand Pink Ribbon Advertising

You’ve likely seen the pink ribbons, or simply the color pink, in advertisements for breast cancer causes this time of year.

Pink ribbons can be seen while shopping at grocery stores, clothing stores, or anywhere you might find consumer goods. Even professional and college athletics teams can wear pink shoes or uniforms to support the fight against breast cancer. Some pink ribbon symbols are trademarked by specific organizations, but a generic pink ribbon alone isn’t enough to guarantee that your purchase is supporting a charity.

Cause-related marketing, covered by BBB Charity Standard 19, are promotions for goods or services in which a portion of the purchase will benefit a charity. But, before you buy a box or cookies or cereal to benefit a breast cancer charity, make sure that the actual or anticipated amount of the purchase to benefit the organization is disclosed at point of sale.

Check for Details Before You Join a Breast Cancer Awareness Event

It’s common to see special events like charity walks, runs, or golf tournaments this time of year.

Just as with any special events designed to support one or more charities, look for specific details before you participate. As with any other solicitation material, make sure the language explicitly states which organizations will benefit from your participation.

Find BBB Accredited Breast Cancer Charities You Can Trust

Please visit our List of nationally-soliciting BBB Accredited cancer charities to find trustworthy breast cancer charities this October or year round.

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:

• Alzheimer’s Association
• Virginia Association of Free and Charitable Clinics
• Boys and Girls Clubs of America

Today we honor the life and legacy of English primatologist and anthropologist Jane Goodall, who passed away on October 1. Her pioneering work with chimpanzees made her a cherished household name around the world.

A Pioneer in Primatology and the Human-Animal Connection

Goodall, first mentored by paleontologist Louis Leakey, engaged in field research studying wild chimpanzees of the Kasakela community in Gombe National Park, Tanzania.

Her chimp research, which began in 1960, is considered the longest study of any animals in their natural habitat. Goodall’s work showed that chimps share many attributes with humans, including emotional complexity, social bonding, passing knowledge from generation to generation, and, unfortunately, even warfare.

Perhaps the most iconic moment of Goodall’s work happened on November 4, 1960, when she noticed a chimpanzee, who she’d named David Greybeard, using a stalk of grass to pull termites from a termite mound. She later witnessed Graybeard and another chimp, Goliath, making termite “fishing” tools out of twigs. Tool creation by non-human animals had never been observed and was considered a defining characteristic of being a human.

Goodall’s research also dispelled the notion that chimps are vegetarian and witnessed the chimpanzee “rain dance,” in which male chimps charge through the forest, vocalizing loudly, slapping trees and the ground, and dragging branches during rainstorms.

A Global Voice for Conservation and Climate Action

Beyond the publication of her research and articles in National Geographic, Goodall published 32 books in her lifetime. Goodall was also an active lecturer and traveled extensively promoting conservation and action on climate change.

She established wildlife sanctuaries, developed reforestation projects in Africa, and campaigned for the ethical treatment of animals. Her life and work have been the subject of dozens of films.

A Lasting Legacy: The Jane Goodall Institute and Her Enduring Impact

Jane Goodall was named a Dame Commander of the British Empire and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. The BBB Accredited Charity Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife, Research, Education, and Conservation was founded in 1977 and continues to protect, educate and advocate on behalf of chimpanzees and the natural world.

Thank you for your incredible life, Jane. You will be missed.

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:

• Anera
• Myasthenia Gravis Foundation of America
• National Exchange Club 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.

As October shines a spotlight on digital safety, it’s the perfect time for both donors and charities to take stock of their cybersecurity habits.

Help Protect Digital Generosity This Giving Season

As the air cools and we pull our favorite sweatshirts from the closet, while pumpkin lattes appear at local coffee shops, we know it’s that time of year. Well, yes, Halloween is just around the corner, but October is also Cybersecurity Awareness Month.

Both donors and charities need to take precautions to protect themselves from cybercrime. Although we may all benefit from stepping away from our screens more often, online transactions are here to stay. And, with the holiday season around the corner, people will be looking to give online, and charities depend on this seasonal giving.

Smart Online Giving: Cybersecurity Tips for Donors

Whether you’re giving through a website, mobile app, or supporting a cause you found on social media, here are some essential tips to help you give confidently and securely this season.

• Use strong passwords: Create passwords that are long enough and unique. Also, update your passwords frequently. If you’re still using your first pet’s name and your birth year, it’s time for a change.
• Verify before giving on social media: Just because your cousin’s friend links to a donation request on social media doesn’t mean the charity is trustworthy. The same goes for charity ads on social media. Do the legwork by vetting the charity to give with confidence. See if they meet each of the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
• Watch out for similar sounding names: Charity names can sound alike. Sometimes it’s because charities are raising money for the same cause, other times it’s because questionable groups are seeking to confuse you. Visit our alphabetical list of charities or check charity websites against appeals to make sure your donation is going to the right group.
• Be wary of online links: Clicking on any link you see online is a big no-no. Verify the legitimacy of email links or appeals that ask you to scan a QR code to avoid falling victim to misleading pages used by scammers to steal your personal information or data.

Cybersecurity Recommendations for Charity Staff

For nonprofits preparing for the year-end giving season, strengthening your cybersecurity posture can help protect your mission, your data, and your donors.

• Educate staff on security risks: Make sure your staff knows to be alert to suspicious emails, communications, links and attachments. This helps protect staff from malware and phishing-related viruses.
• Secure organizational devices: Ensure teleworking staff are using organizational computers only. Charities can’t be sure that employees’ personal devices are as secure as those used by the organization.
• Use malware protection: Charities should subscribe to malware and virus protection services. This can protect organizational computers from malicious program downloads.
• Backup data regularly: Frequent backups help protect critical information from ransomware attacks and accidental loss.
• Enforce password security: Encourage staff to use stronger, more secure passwords to enhance overall security. Two-step verification processes can act as a further safeguard.

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:

• The Assistance Fund, Inc
• HOPE worldwide
• American Consumer Institute Center for Citizen Research

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.