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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Ways you can make a charitable donation

When you decide to donate to a charity, a ton of options open up to you. There are plenty of ways to give back besides just simply writing a check to your charity of choice. There is no reason you cannot contribute in your own way.

Here are some other ways you can donate to charity in addition to breaking open your wallet:

Donating time.

Volunteering does not cost you a thing and what it requires in terms of commitment, it pays off in so many other ways. Volunteering is the perfect way to get involved in a cause you care about. You can take a hands-on approach to solving problems and moving forward important work in any number of areas. Whether you have a day or even a couple of hours to give, committing time to any charitable cause is a worthwhile endeavor. Take some time and search for a cause that corresponds with what you believe in and matches your own talents and abilities.

Donating food and clothing.

There are many people who lack warm clothing or food to put on the dinner table. You can help alleviate these circumstances through timely donations. Contact your local food bank to find out when and how you can donate. Donating clothing is a good way to clean out your closet. You can dispose of clothes that you have outgrown or no longer wear, but are still in good condition. It does not need to be limited to what you do personally. You can talk with your bosses and organize a food or clothing drive at your workplace.

Donating your car.

Perhaps you have decided to upgrade your current automobile for a newer model with lower mileage. Instead of taking out a classified ad to sell your old car, donating it can be the perfect way to get it our of your driveway and accomplish a good dead at the same time. It does require some work, but donating your car to charity is a much better alternative than selling it for pocket change or sending it off to a junkyard.

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