As the holiday season ... many thoughts viewpoint to helping those less ... In fact, surveys have ... that over 50 percent of all ... to society are made amid ... and
As the holiday season approaches, many thoughts turn to helping those less fortunate. In fact, surveys have indicated that on top of 50 percent of every donations to action are made amid Thanksgiving and Christmas. It's important, however, that you don't make charitable contributions indiscriminately. By past a few precautions, you can ensure your generosity provides maximum serve for the people and organizations who dependence your help.
The Federal Trade Commission suggests you follow these guidelines:
* Be wary of appeals that tug at your heartstrings.
* ask for the read out of the group if it's not provided promptly.
* question what percentage of the donation is used to sustain the causes and what percentage is used for administrative costs.
* Call the charity to find out if it's au fait of the solicitation and has authorized the use of its name.
* If the solicitation claims that the help will support local organizations, call the local groups to verify.
* Discuss the donation gone a trusted associates believer or friend past committing the funds.
* Don't offer any tab card or bank account information until you have reviewed all
information from the work and made the decision to donate.
* question for a receipt showing the amount of the contribution and stating that it is tax deductible.
* comprehend that contributions made to a "tax exempt" dispensation are not necessarily tax deductible.
* Avoid cash gifts. They can be drifting or stolen. For security and tax photo album purposes, it's best to pay by check - made payable to the receiver (charity), not the solicitor.
The internet next provides some excellent resources for researching charities since you make contributions. Here are a few:
* activity Navigator (http://www.charitynavigator.com/) -- outfit Navigator helps charitable givers make clever giving decisions by rating and providing recommendation upon exceeding 3,100 charities. You can search their extensive intervention database by category, region or keyword.
* greater than before thing activity Wise Giving Alliance (http://www.give.org/) -- This government developed "Standards for activity Accountability" to back donors in making hermetic giving decisions. You can right of entry their evaluations of charities based on their assent when these voluntary standards.
* American Institute of unselfishness (AIP) (http://www.charitywatch.org/) -- The AIP is a nationally prominent help watchdog sustain whose direct is to support donors create informed giving decisions. They fabricate the bureau Rating guide and Watchdog Report, which provides information upon nearly 500 national charities. At Charitywatch.org you will locate a list of the charities that get the highest ratings from AIP, as skillfully as tips and hints for giving wisely.
Don't risk defilement your Christmas vigor by finding out the charitable contribution you made went to an executive that spends your child support unwisely or in a heavens supplementary than what was represented. By put-on just a little homework, you can be confident that your donation is spent upon the people and causes you want to support.
Article Tags: Giving Decisions
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