Wallingford, CT – December 8, 2011 – Because of technology and the creativity of charities, there are many different ways that donors can contribute to a worthy cause. Whether you’re giving money, canned goods, used items or your time,
BBB Wise Giving Alliance reminds donors that how you give is just as important as what you give.
According to the Giving USA Foundation, total estimated charitable giving in the United States rose 3.8 percent in 2010 (2.1 percent adjusted for inflation). The increase reflects the continued determination of Americans to support charitable organizations, even during challenging economic times.
The Wise Giving Alliance offers the following five common ways that people donate to charities over the holidays and a few things to consider:
Give items - Many organizations solicit for donations over the holidays including coats, toys, and canned goods. Whatever you’re donating, make sure the items are in good condition and that the recipient charity is accepting such items to help further its cause.
Give when you shop - Many charities have had great success partnering with businesses that agree to donate a percentage of the purchase price from sales of items to a worthy cause. Check if the promotion identifies the actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price the charity will receive. In addition, some businesses such as grocery stores may ask if you want to donate to a charity and add your contribution to your receipt (also called embedded giving). See if the embedded promotion states specifically which charity will receive the collected funds.
Give online - Giving online with a credit or debit card is among the most efficient ways to support a charity. Before you enter in your information, give the website a thorough review, look for the organization’s privacy policy, and verify that the organization has appropriate security measures in place to protect your transactions.
Give through text messaging - After texting a message to a specified number, a donation is tacked on to your cell phone bill. While donating via text is fast and easy for the donor, the actual money can take 60 to 90 days to reach the charity, because the funds are only forwarded after the monthly billing cycle during which you pay your wireless bill.
Give your time - In today’s tight economy, you may not have money, but you can always give a little bit of your time to help support a worthy cause. In addition to volunteering around the holidays, you also can be a vocal supporter of a charity and help raise awareness among friends and family and on your Facebook page or blog.
The BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on more than 1,200 national charitable organizations at
www.bbb.org/charity and determines if they meet
20 accountability standards addressing governance, finances and fund raising practices.
To review charity evaluations and get more advice on how to give when times are tight, visit
www.bbb.org/charity.
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