Following Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, and Cyber Monday, Giving Tuesday, Dec. 1, is a time to stop and think about those you can help with a charitable donation.
In 2014, more than $358 billion was donated on Giving Tuesday, according to givingtuesday.org through online and offline fundraising.
The Better Business Bureau suggests:
- Research a charity before donating. Go to bbb.org to make sure that your money is given to a charity that will use it wisely.
- Ask for a receipt, so you can deduct the donation on your taxes, if the charity is eligible.
- Watch out for copycats. There may be hundreds of charities seeking support in the same category, and some may have similar sounding names. Don’t fall for a case of mistaken identity.
- Consider the whole picture, not just finances. While financial ratios help in identifying cases of financial abuse, it’s a mistake to use them as the sole basis for making a giving decision. A good ratio doesn’t necessarily mean a charity is well managed, honest in its appeals, transparent about its activities, and effective in achieving its mission.
- Avoid being pressured. Don’t give in to pressure to make an on-the-spot giving decision. Responsible organizations will welcome your gift tomorrow as much as today.
- Keep emotions in check. Donors need to be aware that con artists will often strike when emotions are running high. Always take a time to verify that your selected charity operates ethically.
