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‘Tis the season to give… but how do you know to whom you’re
giving? During the holidays,
generosity to give to local and national charities often grows. It seems only
fair that the needy
benefit from your good fortune. But how do you know that your contribution
actually makes it to
those in need?
Actually, there are a number of ways to satisfy yourself that your contribution
will be used as you intended. The Wise Giving Alliance, a joint project of the
National Charities Information Bureau and
the Council for the Better Business Bureaus, monitors and evaluates charities
for consumers. Visit their Web site, www.give.org,
for a list of hundreds of charities, some that meet their standards
and others that do not. They also provide a list of tips for those looking to
donate, with an emphasis on getting to know the charity that you are interested
in. Here are some other helpful tips:
- Look closely at the
charity’s name. Charities often sound very much alike, but their
qualities can often be very different.
- Do not give cash to any
charity. Always write a check made payable to the full name of the
charity, not the individual collecting the donation. Request a receipt, and
be sure to keep it alongside your Clearview monthly statement for
documentation at
tax time.
- Determine the purpose of
the charity. Always make sure that the charity’s purpose is
what you think it is. For example, some cancer charities work to cure the
disease, while
others work to care for those suffering - either is wonderful. Just ask how
the charity
achieves their specific goals.
- Find out if your donation
is tax-deductible. Remember that even if an organization is
tax exempt, that does not guarantee you are eligible for a tax deduction. To
find out if your donation is tax-deductible, request the charity’s tax
exempt letter or contact your local
IRS office.
- Find out what percentage
of your donation goes towards charitable purposes. The phrase “All
proceeds go to charity,” is often misleading. Because this typically means
that money left over after expenses goes to charity. Common expenses that
charities face
include program expenses, management and paid employees, and fundraising.
So, just ask
— a worthy charity should be able to explain without hesitation.
Finally, if you are
low on cash, but still feeling generous — give gifts of support. There are
several Web sites that have developed a “one-click” idea, which means that users
click on whatever cause they want to help. Then the sponsors of the site
automatically contribute a specified amount, generally a cent or two, to that
charity. The Hunger Site pioneered the idea in June 1999, and since then 101
million visitors have given more than 198 million cups of food to the hungry.
This holiday
season, Clearview wishes you and yours the very best. Happy Holidays!
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