Giving to Charity
Tips and resources for donors.
Should I Give to Charities that Use Professional Fundraising Companies?
You have probably given a donation to more charities that use commercial fundraising companies than you think you have. Most of the time you have no idea that a for-profit fundraising company is being used by a well-know charity.
You have probably given a donation to more charities that use commercial fundraising companies than you think you have. Most of the time you have no idea that a for-profit fundraising company is being used by a well-know charity.
How Do You Evaluate a Charity?
There is a lot to consider when you are thinking about which charities to give your donations to. What do you look for? Or, if you are a charity, what do you want your donors to look for?
There is a lot to consider when you are thinking about which charities to give your donations to. What do you look for? Or, if you are a charity, what do you want your donors to look for?
How Should Donors Evaluate a Charity?
The problem when it comes to a donor evaluating a charity is that nonprofits don't have good ways to measure outcomes. A business can count profits, but how does a nonprofit measure how much good it actually did?
The problem when it comes to a donor evaluating a charity is that nonprofits don't have good ways to measure outcomes. A business can count profits, but how does a nonprofit measure how much good it actually did?
Manage Donations to Charity With These Six Strategies
It is a tough time right now for charities. Donations to charities are down; demand for services is up. But giving donations to charity is an investment in our society...one that we should not give up because times are tight.
It is a tough time right now for charities. Donations to charities are down; demand for services is up. But giving donations to charity is an investment in our society...one that we should not give up because times are tight.
Reader Stories About Donating a Car to Charity.
Tell us your good or bad experiences with donating a car to charity.
Tell us your good or bad experiences with donating a car to charity.
How to Donate a Car to Charity
It is hard to let go of a beloved old car that is beyond even a trade-in. Sending it right to the junk yard can be heart wrenching. Giving it to a worthy charity seems like a good move, but, unfortunately, this is an area of charity that is rife with fraud and misleading information.
It is hard to let go of a beloved old car that is beyond even a trade-in. Sending it right to the junk yard can be heart wrenching. Giving it to a worthy charity seems like a good move, but, unfortunately, this is an area of charity that is rife with fraud and misleading information.
Charitable Giving Tips for Travelers
The Center for Responsible Travel has a wonderful list of "Dos and Don'ts of Travel Giving." Some of these tips are just common sense, but others may come as a surprise, even to seasoned travelers.
The Center for Responsible Travel has a wonderful list of "Dos and Don'ts of Travel Giving." Some of these tips are just common sense, but others may come as a surprise, even to seasoned travelers.
Taxes and International Giving
Global giving has become important to most philanthropists. Americans give about $300 billion to charitable causes annually. charitable giving. Only about 5% of that is spent on international causes
Global giving has become important to most philanthropists. Americans give about $300 billion to charitable causes annually. charitable giving. Only about 5% of that is spent on international causes
Make sure You Are Not Contributing to Global Terrorism
How can donors make sure that they are not contributing to global terrorism when supporting a nonprofit or NGO?
How can donors make sure that they are not contributing to global terrorism when supporting a nonprofit or NGO?
The Many Ways You Can Give to Charity
Today, there are numerous ways in which to structure your charitable giving, from using your checkbook to setting up a foundation to entering your credit card number online. Philanthropy comes at all price points and can be packaged according to you preferences, convenience, and size of your pocketbook.
Today, there are numerous ways in which to structure your charitable giving, from using your checkbook to setting up a foundation to entering your credit card number online. Philanthropy comes at all price points and can be packaged according to you preferences, convenience, and size of your pocketbook.
Philanthropic Intermediaries
Philanthropic intermediaries develop expertise in specific areas or issues.
Philanthropic intermediaries develop expertise in specific areas or issues.
Charitable Giving Through a Private or Family Foundation
Although some private foundations are large and well known, with matching staffs, most of the approximately eighty thousand private foundations are unstaffed, and two thirds have less than $1 million in assets.
Although some private foundations are large and well known, with matching staffs, most of the approximately eighty thousand private foundations are unstaffed, and two thirds have less than $1 million in assets.
Checkbook Philanthropy
Giving to charity by writing a check is the most common form of giving to charity in the world. It is relatively simple and certainly direct.
Giving to charity by writing a check is the most common form of giving to charity in the world. It is relatively simple and certainly direct.
What Is a Charitable Lead Trust?
A charitable lead trust is a philanthropic and estate planning tool. A donor can transfer assets, such as cash, stocks and artwork, to a trust for a set term of years. Each year, payments are made from the trust to the donor's designated charity/charities.
A charitable lead trust is a philanthropic and estate planning tool. A donor can transfer assets, such as cash, stocks and artwork, to a trust for a set term of years. Each year, payments are made from the trust to the donor's designated charity/charities.
Safe Giving Guide
The most frequent questions we get about charitable organizations are, "How do I know if an organization is legitimate?" and "How do I report a possible fraudulent nonprofit?"
The most frequent questions we get about charitable organizations are, "How do I know if an organization is legitimate?" and "How do I report a possible fraudulent nonprofit?"
How to Be an Inspired Philanthropist
This book makes the point that you do not have to be rich to be a philanthropist, but neither do you become one just by writing a check to a charity once a year.
This book makes the point that you do not have to be rich to be a philanthropist, but neither do you become one just by writing a check to a charity once a year.
Have a Philanthropic Conversation
Tracey Gary, in her wonderful book, Inspired Philanthropy, suggests that philanthropists engage in active conversations with other philanthropists. She suggests the following websites where you can easily do this, right from home or office.
Tracey Gary, in her wonderful book, Inspired Philanthropy, suggests that philanthropists engage in active conversations with other philanthropists. She suggests the following websites where you can easily do this, right from home or office.
Charitable Tax Deductions
Here are some things you should know about the tax benefits of giving to charity. The bottom line is that there are great tax benefits for giving, but we want you to consult your own tax adviser for how a specific donation plays out for your specific tax situation.
Here are some things you should know about the tax benefits of giving to charity. The bottom line is that there are great tax benefits for giving, but we want you to consult your own tax adviser for how a specific donation plays out for your specific tax situation.
Protect Your Investment in a Charity
Not only do donors need to check out the usual things about a nonprofit, such as its administrative, fund-raising and program expenses, but also where it is investing its money.
Not only do donors need to check out the usual things about a nonprofit, such as its administrative, fund-raising and program expenses, but also where it is investing its money.
Shopping for Good
It couldn't be a better time for shopping sites that provide support to nonprofits and social enterprises. If you can afford to give gifts this holiday season, make sure that those gifts make more than just the recipient happy. Shop where it counts the most. Here are some of our favorite online places to shop and give all at the same time.
It couldn't be a better time for shopping sites that provide support to nonprofits and social enterprises. If you can afford to give gifts this holiday season, make sure that those gifts make more than just the recipient happy. Shop where it counts the most. Here are some of our favorite online places to shop and give all at the same time.
7 Keys to Raising Charitable Children
Carol Weisman has some great tips for helping your children become charitable.
Carol Weisman has some great tips for helping your children become charitable.
Giving Internationally Through a Charitable Gift Account
A charitable gift account is set up through a national charitable fund (often called a donor-advised fund). It is a way anyone who can contribute $5,000 or more to help support worthy charities in a safe, easy manner.
A charitable gift account is set up through a national charitable fund (often called a donor-advised fund). It is a way anyone who can contribute $5,000 or more to help support worthy charities in a safe, easy manner.
A Donor’s Guide to Global Emergencies
The Middle East is the hot spot right now, but there are more than enough emergencies around the world today. We all want to help but are sometimes confused about how.
The Middle East is the hot spot right now, but there are more than enough emergencies around the world today. We all want to help but are sometimes confused about how.
Join the Online-Giving Revolution
The Internet is transforming the game of philanthropy. Now donors of any means can connect with good causes and be sure that their donations, even when small, can have a decisive impact on the world.
The Internet is transforming the game of philanthropy. Now donors of any means can connect with good causes and be sure that their donations, even when small, can have a decisive impact on the world.
How to Make Your Donation Count
We all want to help. But, how do we know where to put our money? How can we determine that a nonprofit is legitimate? Where can a donor get more information?
We all want to help. But, how do we know where to put our money? How can we determine that a nonprofit is legitimate? Where can a donor get more information?
A Guide to Giving Circles
Giving circles are rapidly becoming a popular way for individuals to channel and amplify their philanthropic impulses.
Giving circles are rapidly becoming a popular way for individuals to channel and amplify their philanthropic impulses.
What Is a Charitable Gift Annuity?
You've seen the ads from AARP, Consumer's Report; gotten mailings from your alma mater and the nonprofit you donate to each year. They advertise charitable (or gift) annuities as a way to benefit an organization whose work you want to support.
You've seen the ads from AARP, Consumer's Report; gotten mailings from your alma mater and the nonprofit you donate to each year. They advertise charitable (or gift) annuities as a way to benefit an organization whose work you want to support.
Donor-Advised Funds: Democratized Philanthropy
Donor-advised funds are charitable giving accounts offered by a sponsoring charity that are designed as an accessible, simple, and less expensive alternative to private foundations.
Donor-advised funds are charitable giving accounts offered by a sponsoring charity that are designed as an accessible, simple, and less expensive alternative to private foundations.
Best Environmental Nonprofits
It is not easy to choose among the hundreds of nonprofits today that are working on environmental issues ranging from global warming to animal protection to biological diversity. For help, we consulted with Charity Navigator, a rater of nonprofits.
It is not easy to choose among the hundreds of nonprofits today that are working on environmental issues ranging from global warming to animal protection to biological diversity. For help, we consulted with Charity Navigator, a rater of nonprofits.
Charities that Bring the Spirit of the Holidays Alive
Giving to charity at the holidays can be fulfilling too, but where to start? …
Giving to charity at the holidays can be fulfilling too, but where to start? …