How to Find Reputable Charitable Institutions

Donating time, money, or goods to charity is a very rewarding experience. Unfortunately, there are many fake charity organizations that exist simply to scam people out of their money. On the other hand, with a little research you can find a charitable group that is legitimate.

Decide what type of charity you want to support. Charities cater to a wide range of needs and issues. You can choose from any number of these including those that work with homeless animals or those that help the environment. When finding an organization that you wish to donate to, one of the first things you can do is search online directories such as Canada 411 for a list of these groups. You can also find out what kinds of donations are preferred. Some charities do prefer a monetary donation, while others may be looking for in-kind donations of services or labor.

Various charity directories can also help you find a reputable charity. In addition, there is an IRS online directory . This directory is pertinent if you are planning to take a tax deduction for your donation. You can determine if your chosen charity is registered with the IRS, thus allowing you to claim a tax deduction.

Many phone books also include a special section dedicated to charities. In addition, many newspapers also list charitable organizations as a public service.

Finally, because approximately 70 percent of U.S. households contribute to charity organizations, you can use your friends and family as a resource for finding a reputable organization to which you can donate.

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Helping homeless children

It is no secret that millions of people throughout the world live in poverty and many of those people are homeless. As sad as that fact is, what is sadder is that children make up a significant portion of that homeless population.

Being homeless is especially hard on a child. Their current hardships often serve to crush their spirits and quench their dreams. It is tough to create a better life when you have little or no access to food, clothing, shelter or education. Fortunately, there are ways we can help homeless children build a better life for themselves.

Here are some ideas on how you can help a homeless child:

  • Give money.

Multiple charities are devoted exclusively to helping children. Make a list and evaluate which ones are the best at doing it. Research how they spend donations and what services they offer to a child in need. Once you find the right charity, give a donation amount that you think will prove most helpful down the road.

  • Build a relationship.

Giving money is not enough to help a needy child. It is essential to form a bond with them. They need your presence too. Sure, having money will help with their day-to-day survival. But your presence can be much more valuable to them than any amount of money they receive.

  • Be a tutor.

Offer children you are helping educational opportunities. Give them a chance to learn. Some charities do not have enough workers to meet the educational needs of children in their care. You can help by volunteering to teach them basics like math, reading and science. Make learning fun by taking them on field trips to places like the museum or the zoo.

If you commit time and energy to improving the life of a homeless child, you will open a door to a better life they never thought possible.

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Tips for promoting a charitable event

Successfully raising funds for a good cause requires getting as many people to contribute as possible. How you promote a charitable event makes all the difference on whether it is a success or a failure.

Since advertising is such a difference maker, here are ideas on how you can promote your charitable event:

  • Plan out your promotion strategies.

Brainstorming is the first step to any successful promotional efforts. Gather together a team and figure out how you can spread information on the event through print, radio, TV and the internet while keeping such efforts cost effective. Create ads, flyers and banners that will catch a person’s eye and sum up what your event is all about in a powerful way.

  • Lay out your plans.

Once you’ve devised an appropriate ad campaign, get out there and make it a reality. Place an ad with your local newspaper. Secure TV and radio spots. Try to negotiate for these various media to do this free of charge or at a reduced fee if possible. If you have banners, find places to display them. You can try public buildings like schools or libraries. Another option is to contact local churches and see if the pastors will consent to displaying them. These are good options because people already involved in the community or in a church are typically more willing to support a charitable cause.

  • Secure sponsors.

Do not be afraid to ask local businesses for their support. Many business see supporting a charity event as a good way to advertise and create a good impression with the community by supporting a good cause. It also helps their bottom line because they can write off their involvement when they file taxes. Offer to sell advertising space in a program, on banners or on posters that will be displayed at the event and visible to everyone in attendance.

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Using social media for charity

There are a ton of social networks out there that a nonprofit organization can use to its advantage in promoting charitable causes. With the exlposive growth of social media on the internet, a successful charity must include social media tools if it is to create awareness and boost donations.

No matter which social network you are working with, you need to keep a pair of goals in mind.

Your first goal should be to connect with your exsiting donors. This step helps keep them involved and feel good about where the money they have donated is going. A happy and involved donor is a loyal donor. If you connect to them through social media like Facebook or Twitter, this pool will form the core of your fans and followers.

Your second goal should be to attract potential new donors. These are people who can make a difference on various charitable projects by making timely donations through contributing time, resources or money. These are the ones you want to attract to your Facebook page or Twitter account and become fans and followers of your organization.

Why is an active social media presence important? Simply put, this is the best way to create word-of-mouth and raise widespread awareness for whatever cause your organization is championing. Having a strong internet presence erases any preexisting geographic restraints.

Setting up social media accounts is an important step. Filling them with the right content is even more important. You need to send a message that conveys exactly what your organization is about and what you do to help people in need.

Upload photos and videos of your charitable work. Show people out there exactly who you are helping and what impact it is making in their lives. Put up messages from people who have been helped by your charity and allow them to further your organization’s cause through their own words.

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