Why To Donate To Charity?

You can’t escape requests for you to donate to charity today.
There are literally thousands of opportunities out there for you to donate to
charity. Perhaps you are asking yourself should I donate to charity? And if I am
going to donate to charity which ones should I choose?

First of all, let’s deal with the question of why you should donate to charity.
There are a host of reasons to donate to charity. We will deal with only a few of
them here. For instance, if you donate to charity you will gain certain tax
benefits. All of us are looking for ways to pay less money to the government. If you
donate to charity you will be able to help others and keep more money out of the
hands of the government. Who would have thought that such a great benefit could come
when you donate to charity?

Another great reason to donate to charity is to reduce clutter. A decision to donate
to charity does not necessarily mean a cash donation. You can donate to charity by
giving items as well. Are there things taking up space in your home that you could
donate to charity? A decision to donate to charity can reduce the clutter in your
home and leave you with that good feeling that accompanies every decision to donate
to charity.

Of course one of the greatest reasons to donate to charity is to help the less
fortunate. If you have been blessed, making a decision to donate to charity can help
you give a little back.

Has any organization been a help to you in a time of need? They would be great
choices for you to donate to charity. Have you had times in your life when you
needed a little help? Now that you are on our feet, why not make these organizations
the beneficiaries of your decision to donate to charity? It is never a bad idea to
return a good turn and if your decision to donate to charity helps someone who once
helped you it just makes it that much more appropriate.

You can also donate to charity in the name of a loved one that has passed away. Was
there a cause that was close to their heart? If you donate to charity and make it a
charity that they cared about you can honor their memory. The organization benefits
and you get to add another excellent aspect to your decision to donate to charity.

Finally, determine the cause that means the most to you when making your decision to
donate to charity. If you are going to donate to charity it only makes sense to
choose one that matters to you.

How To Donate To Charity?

*  Give To An Established Charity
Don’t let an unscrupulous charity take advantage of your goodwill. Find a charity with a proven track record of success with dealing with the type of disaster and in the region in which the disaster occurred. Avoid fly-by-night charities created specifically to deal with the new crisis. Even well-meaning new organizations will not have the infrastructure and knowledge of the region to efficiently maximize your gift. If you do feel compelled to give to a new charity, be sure to get proof that the group is in fact a registered public charity with 501 (c) (3) status.
* Designate Your Gift
Worried that your donation will go towards the charity’s general operating fund or saved for a future crisis? This is a very understandable concern. Many charities do encourage donors not to designate their gifts so that the charity can decide how best to utilize the money, but depending on your confidence in the charity’s ability to make that determination, you may want to tell the charity exactly how to use your gift. By designating your gift, you’ll ensure that your donation will be used as you intended. Most charities with online giving portals offer a check box feature so that you can tell the organization how to spend your contribution. If you are mailing in a check, then write a note in the memo section of the check specifying that you want your gift spent entirely on the current crisis.
* Avoid Telemarketers
Be wary of fundraisers who pressure you to make a contribution over the phone. Never divulge your credit card information to someone soliciting you via the phone. Instead, ask the fundraiser to send you written information about the charity they represent and do some research on your own. Once you feel comfortable with the charity, send the organization a check directly in the mail, or give through their website, thus ensuring 100% of your gift goes to the charity and not the for-profit fundraiser.
* Research And Follow Up
As always, take the time to find a charity you can trust. Use our free financial evaluations to search for well-run charities worthy of your support. And be sure to follow up with the charity in a few months to find out (a) how your donation was put to use and (b) if the organization needs additional support to complete the recovery effort.
* Give Online
The inherent speed of online giving provides instant gratification to donors and offers charities immediate access to much needed funds. At Charity Navigator with the simple click of a mouse you can make a secure online gift to the charities we rate.