As scammers seek to exploit holiday generosity, Better Business Bureau urges consumers to protect well-intentioned donations.
According to the Nonprofit Research Collaborative’s November 2010 Fundraising Survey, the majority of all charitable contributions are made in the last quarter of the year—October to December. Not surprisingly, scammers ramp up efforts during this time in hopes of snagging funds for themselves.
“Charities rely on giving season donations for the following year,” stated Sherry Guderjohn, Charity Review Manager for BBB serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington. “When fraudulent charities or dishonest solicitors intercept donation dollars, it leaves legitimate organizations and those they serve in a difficult position.”
BBB Foundation’s Charity Review Program, which has comprehensive local Charity Reviews, has compiled top tips to protect consumers and their donations:
Verify Validity: Don’t let emotional appeals and high pressure tactics dictate donations. Visit akorww.bbb.org/charity to research local BBB Charity Reviews. Utilize online search engines and databases like GuideStar.org and CharityNavigator.org. Ensure local charities are properly registered with the Washington Secretary of State Charity Program.
Spotlight Spending: According to BBB’s 20 Standards of Charity Accountability, publicly soliciting charities should spend at least 65 percent of total expenses on program activities. Be leery when solicitors declare that all proceeds go to the cause, but fail to substantiate claims. Seek out the Internal Revenue Service Form 990 from publicly soliciting charities; this form should be made available with appeals.
Protect Payments: Avoid giving cash and make checks payable to charities, not individual solicitors. Always request receipts or confirmation codes for donations.
Find more wise giving tips and BBB Charity Reviews at akorww.bbb.org/charity or give.org.
About BBB Foundation: BBB Foundation is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to educating consumers about marketplace issues. BBB Foundation also helps inform donors and suggests standards for charitable organizations. BBB Foundation is an affiliate of Better Business Bureau serving Alaska, Oregon and Western Washington, a not-for-profit organization with the mission to advance marketplace trust. For more information, contact BBB or visit bbb.org.
Top Ten Reasons to Donate Car to Charity
If you have a car you no longer need, you have 4 basic options for what to do with it. You can trade, sell, junk or donate your car. Here are the top ten reasons why you should donate your car to charity.
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You won’t have to haggle with the car dealer over the trade in value of your car
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You won’t have to pay to advertise the sale of your car
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You won’t to wait at home for strangers to call or come over to look at your car
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You won’t have to make any repairs to your car, Cars4Charities gratefully takes them as-is
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You won’t have to pay for a junk yard to pick it up
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You won’t have to pay to insure or register your car anymore
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You’ll get fast pickup, usually within 2-3 days
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You can donate your car totally online at your convenience; you don’t even have to make a phone call
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You’ll get a tax deduction or $500 or more
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You’ll support the charity of your choice
Cars4Charities has a very extensive list of charities you can donate your car to. Their list includes International charities like Freedom Form Hunger, Fund For Peace, Helen Keller International, Partners in Health, The Smile Train, TropicalClinics, etc., National charities like the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, the American Foundation for the Blind, the American Macular Degeneration Foundation, the American Parkinson Disease Association, the Association for Frontotemporal Dementias, the Asthma & Allergy Foundation, Autism Speaks, the Brain Trauma Foundation, the Cancer Research Institute, Diabetes Research Institute Foundation, the Healthy Building Network, Juvenile Bipolar Research Foundation, the Kelly Heinz Grunder Brain Tumor Foundation, the Lam Foundation, National Association for Down Syndrome, National Coalition for the Homeless, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence, Prevent Cancer Foundation, The SASS Foundation for Medical Research, Teach for America, and many local charities in the greater Seattle area like food banks, homeless shelters, and various other fine charities.
Complete details are available at http://www.cars4charities.org/ or 1-866-448-3487 (GIVE-4-US).
