The Tuesday after Black Friday and Cyber Monday, the Giving Tuesday movement has helped raise over $1 billion in online charitable donations worldwide since its inception in 2012. Ensure their generous contributions go to reputable organizations.
BBB WGA President and CEO Art Taylor said: “Holiday giving can have a big impact, so it’s important that donors donate their hard-earned money to ethically-run charities.”
Tips for donating on Giving Tuesday
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance shares the following tips to help donors give wisely and make the most of their generosity this holiday season and all year long.
Note the similarity of names. When charities seek support for the same cause, they often have similar names. Before donating, please check the exact name of the charity to avoid confusion.
Please check the website carefully. A responsible charity’s website includes facts such as its mission and programs, measurable goals, and concrete criteria that describe its achievements. You should also be able to find information about their finances. Keep in mind that the type of work a charity does affects its cost.
Avoid making on-the-fly donation decisions from unfamiliar organizations. Holidays increase the frequency of donation requests outside of public places. Don’t give in to the pressure to make quick decisions. A responsible organization will welcome your gift tomorrow as much as it does today.
Be careful with emotional appeal. Marketers have been known to exploit the holidays to make emotional pleas to donors. Instead of making impulsive decisions based on your emotions, do your research first and make sure the charity you choose operates ethically.
Check with your state charity representative. Many states require charities to register with the Attorney General’s office before soliciting. Checking the appropriate office in your state is an easy way to find out if an organization is legal. You can find this information on the National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) website. increase.
Relies on standards-based evaluation. Charities can show they can be trusted by agreeing to detailed assessments such as 20 of her BBB criteria for charity accountability. Get free access to charity reports on Give.org.
Check your tax status. Don’t assume that every organization that claims to do good is a tax-exempt charity. You can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool to check your organization’s tax status. Also, make sure your donation is tax deductible.
For more information
For more information on Giving Tuesday and other Giving Days, see our Wise Giving Guide cover story. Visit bbb.org for tips on how to be a smart consumer. To report fraud or unscrupulous business practices, please call the BBB at 903-581-5704 or report via the BBB ScamTracker.
BBB is a non-profit business advocacy organization that sets and maintains high standards of fair and honest business conduct. Most of his BBB services to consumers are free. BBB Serving Central East Texas was founded in 1985 and serves his 19 counties in East Texas.