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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Getting charitable help

We live in tough times. A slumping economy has driven up the unemployment rate in recent years. Too many people are struggling to find a job, stay in their homes and feed their families. There are options out there that can make a positive difference in your life, if you are in a tough situation.

If you turn to a charity for help, here is what you need to do to make sure your needs are taken care of right away:

1. Identify what you need.

Asking for help is a major step all by itself. It is not enough to simply ask for help though. You must identify what kind of assistance you need. Charities will have a difficult time assisting you unless you can be specific in in your needs. Virtually any nonprofit group is dedicated to a specific cause and if they know what your needs entail, they can direct you to the right place to get help.

2. Prepare required documents.

If you need help from a charity, you must be prepared to offer proof that you need help. If you want financial assistance in paying bills, for example, you must be prepared to present documentation like proof of residence, a valid ID card, past pay stubs and a copy of the bill you need to pay.

3. Save required documents.

Keep a personal record of all documentation related to charity assistance. This will serve as a safety net to convince potential donors of your need for assistance. Always be honest in conveying your true needs. If they do not believe your request is valid, you may be asked to provide proof that your current circumstances demonstrate a need for help.

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How to avoid a car donation scam

Donating your car to charity can accomplish plenty of good things. It is important to be careful, though, when making a donation. There are scam artist out there who use car donations as a means to perpetuate fraud. Doing your homework is essential to prevent yourself from becoming a victim of their scams.

Here is what you can do to make sure your car donation goes to a legitimate charity:

  • Find a local charity that accepts car donations.

Sometimes, the best policy is to find a charity already established in your community and see if you can donate your car to that organization. This may require some research on your part, but it will definitely be worth the peace of mind you will get from knowing that your car is going to the right place.

  • Try to deliver your donation yourself.

Most charities will pay for someone to come pick up your car and take it away. If it is possible, make arrangements to deliver your car in person to the charity. The benefit for that organization is that it can be a huge money saver, since picking up donated cars can end up being expensive. The benefit for you is that you will be able to make certain that your car gets into the right hands. And make arrangements with the charity, before you drive the car there, to take care of all the necessary paperwork.

  • Keep a paper trail.

If you donate an automobile that has a value greater than $500, you should attach IRS Form 8283 when you file your tax return. Proof of the donation, which includes items like a receipt from the charity in question, is required by the IRS. Also required is a copy of the car title change. A tax deduction can be made on your car donation only if you itemize your deductions. Since most cars are resold after being donated to charity, you need to know the resale price of your vehicle to include in your tax records. Make sure the charity sends you this information right away.

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Avoiding charity scams

Giving to a good cause is a noble act. That is one reason why charity scams feel especially heinous. Scam artists who participate in this sort of deception are preying on people making an effort to help those around them.

The effect of such scams can be damaging. Money and resources are diverted away from needy people who could truly use them. And people who started out with intentions of being a humanitarian are disgusted by falling victim to the deception and they turn away from charitable giving altogether.

Still, the fear of charity scams should not dissuade anyone from giving freely to help those in need. The best way to avoid scams is to use common sense.

The first rule of thumb is to do your homework. If a charity calls and solicits funds, check it out. Non-profit organizations must register with the Federal Government and these charities will be listed on government websites. If you cannot find any information on a charity, then it is time to be suspicious.

Another good idea is to make a charity do a written request for funds. Within this letter, you can have the charity specify what its organization is all about and what it will do with funds donated to its cause once they are made available. Creating extra work like that for a scammer can make them move onto their next “mark.”

Never ever make cash donations. Always donate through a check or credit card. Banks and credit card companies typically have safeguards in place to help prevent and prosecute fraud. Paying cash allows a scam artist to simply disappear and take your hard-earned money with them.

Finally, make sure the charity contacting you is a known organization. If they claim to represent a particular group, such as firefighters, or a particular cause, such as cancer, follow up on their claims. Contact the group they claim to represent and ask if they are affiliated with this charity. If it is connected to a particular cause, check with legitimate charities and ask if they are familiar with the organization in question.

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