How to Find Reputable Charitable Institutions

July 5, 2011 by Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Charitable organization, Charities, Society Tagged With: , ,

Charity Email Scams

May 2, 2011 by Leave a Comment
The scam truck

Image by jepoirrier via Flickr

Before the internet, we didn’t have to worry too much about scams landing in our home. These days, email scams are a common fact of life on the internet. Unfortunately many people still fall victim to a seemingly innocent email.

Many people are good natured and willing to give to charities. So when an email lands in his or her inbox claiming to be from a particular charity this good natured person does not think ill of it and, wanting to donate money, gets caught out in an email scam. Charity scams are designed to take advantage of such generous and good natured people. They prey on those who may not know that such things can exist as emails.

Charity scammers obtain cash from people by sending out a spam email to thousands of people. This email may seem legit. It may even have a link to an even more legitimate looking website. On this website a person will generally be asked to donate money with a credit card, and thus the scam begins. Many people have had thousands of dollars stolen this way.

If you receive any email from anyone you do not know it is a good idea to treat it with great caution. Even going as far as deleting emails from anyone you don’t know is not as silly as you think. Sometimes even just opening and email from an unknown sender will execute something called malware on your computer. This malware can track your internet usage and even collect personal data for the scammers. This includes internet banking passwords and other type of information.

 

Filed Under: Charities, Charity Scams Tagged With: , ,

Finding a volunteer opportunity

March 28, 2011 by Leave a Comment

Volunteering is a prefect way to get involved in finding solutions for problems you care about. Giving your time to a worthy cause, even if it is just a brief amount, is worth the commitment involved.

Here are some tips on how to find the right volunteer opportunity for you:

  • Tackle a problem or issue important to you.

Sometimes, the best volunteer opportunity is the one that deals with a problem or issue close to your heart. Do you want to help abused animals? Are you concerned with mentoring children? Whatever is your passion, getting involved in dealing with that issue can lay the groundwork for a great volunteer experience. Contact organizations that deal with those issues you care about and ask if they have openings for volunteers.

  • Factor time into volunteering.

Choosing when and where to volunteer comes down to how much time you are able to devote. There are volunteer opportunities that fit within any time commitment. You can do something as simple as volunteer at a charity event for a few hours or spend each week mentoring at-risk teens. Nonprofit organizations are good at tailoring opportunities to fit the demands of modern society.

  • Look for a fulfilling opportunity.

Volunteer work should not be entirely selfless. You should enjoy what you are doing. Think about what you like to do. If you are a person who likes to be in charge, take on a leadership role. This could include anything from fundraising to organizing events. If you are looking for a way to simply contribute, you could help clean up a park or highway or sign up participants for a charity 5K.

  • Find something that fits your skills.

Jot down a list of the things you are talented at doing and share them with volunteer coordinators you speak with. This will give them and you a better idea where you can be a useful volunteer. How and where you volunteer will be directly impacted by your preexisting talents and abilities. You will be best served by using your strengths to enhance your volunteer work.

Filed Under: Charities, Volunteering Tagged With: , ,

Tips for promoting a charitable event

March 7, 2011 by Leave a Comment

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.

Filed Under: Charitable organization, Charities Tagged With: , ,
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