Giving Wisely to Charity - 10 Step Guide Giving with your head as well as your heart! Prepared and presented by: Marita C Wenner

First 5 Steps: Research! Second 5 Steps: Evaluate!

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Understand your values Before you open your wallet, volunteer your time or look at a letter from a charity....know what is important to you!

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Identify your preferences Ask yourself: What is important to me? o The enviroment? o Education? o Hunger? o Animal welfare? o Helping sick children? o Religious causes?

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Identify your preferences Where should the charity do its work? o In your neighborhood? o Region? o The Nation? o Internationally? Ask yourself if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or old one?

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Do some research Search charity databases to find charities that meet your criteria

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Focus on the mission 1.Look at each charity's description (Mission Statement) in your search results, on its Web site, or in its literature. 2.Find the nonprofits that fit best with your values.

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Eliminate charities that don't meet your criteria Now you are ready to look more closly at these organizations!

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Verify a charity's legitimacy Charity must be nonprofit and meet the IRS (Internal Revenue Service) criteria for tax-exempt organizations. All charities on mentioned web- link sites are legitimate.

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Get cold, hard facts A reputable organization will: Define its mission and programs clearly. Have measurable goals. Use concrete criteria to describe its achievements.

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Get cold, hard facts Review charity's financial report: How much money is actually being donated to cause? How much is going to operating expenses? o Administrative salaries & bonuses. o Fund raising expenses.

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Compare apples to apples Be sure to compare charities that do the same kind of work, especially if you are looking at their finances. The type of work a charity does can affect its operating costs dramatically.

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Avoid charities that won't share information or pressure you! Reputable nonprofits: Will discuss their programs and finances. Don't use pressure tactics. Are willing to send you literature or direct you to their website Will take "no" for an answer

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Trust your instincts! If you still have doubts about a charity, don't contribute to it. Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and with which you feel comfortable, then make your donation!

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Tips & Warnings Best charities tend to give a large percentage of funds to actual cause. Choosing a nonprofit charity helps ensure your donations are tax deductible. Be careful of sound alike names.

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title Tips & Warnings Best way to find out about a charity is to volunteer your time and experience how they help. Beware of scammers who pose as a charitable organization!

©Bull, 2009 Titre de la Présentation Title The End Go Forth and Do Good!