You have been asked to give to a charity. You are considering it, but have a few questions about the organization. Here are tips from the Federal Trade Commission to help you check it out:
Give to known, reputable organizations. If you are unfamiliar with an organization, request written literature from the charity including proof that your donation is tax deductible.
Find out what percentage of your gift goes to administrative costs and how much goes to the charity’s programs. How much goes to professional fund raisers? If you are uncomfortable with those amounts, give elsewhere.
Learn about organizations you are considering before you donate at several charity-rating websites including www.give.org, www.guidestar.org , www.charitynavigator.org and www.charitywatch.org. These websites mostly review large non-profit organizations.
Charitynavigator.org offers advice on how to evaluate smaller and local charities. Look under its “Tips & Resources” menu.
Protect yourself against identity theft. Don’t give credit card numbers, bank account information or personal data to on-line, telephone, street, or door-to-door solicitations. If in doubt, you can contact the charity directly to verify whether it approved of the solicitation you received.
Instead of giving cash, send a check directly to the charity. Make the check payable to the official name of the organization.
Request a receipt. Keep receipts, acknowledgement letters and check images so you have documentation for your tax return.
