By Stephanie G. Flynn
Tis the season for giving. The needs of the community are never more apparent than during the holidays. Over the years, the world of fundraising has become increasingly competitive, and the stories of need that these charities impart to us can tug at our heartstrings. It is therefore important to remember that charity dollars are an investment into our community, and our donations deserve thoughtful consideration. So, how can you be sure that the money you are giving is really going to the right place?
There are a multitude of resources right at our fingertips to help us navigate through the web of choices. By keeping just a few tips in mind this holiday season, we can be sure to make well-informed decisions about how our money is spent and see that our donations make it safely into the hands of organizations that we can trust to use them wisely.
Ask for identification. With hundreds of thousands of federally-recognized charities competing for your dollars, it can be easy to get confused. Scam artists often use names that closely resemble widely-known organizations or sound official. Before committing yourself, make sure you have clearly identified the organization to which you are giving. Don't be afraid to ask questions, including the identity of the person seeking your contribution, the address of the organization or written materials. If you are approached by an organization that is unfamiliar to you, then check it out. Useful resources for researching charitable organizations include the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org); Charity Navigator, which rates over 4,900 charities (www.charitynavigator.com); and GuideStar (www.guidestar.org).
Demand accountability. An important consideration should always be how much of your donation goes directly to the charitable cause You want your dollars to be used wisely and to stretch as far as possible. South Carolina law requires charitable organizations that solicit contributions to file a registration statement with the Secretary of State that includes the name and purpose of the organization and the purpose for which contributions are to be used. It further requires the organization to file annual financial reports, which are matters of public record. To see the amount donated by charities registered in South Carolina to program services, go to the website maintained by the Secretary of State at www.scsos.com/charities.html. The website also has several useful links to assist donors in making informed decisions with their contributions.
Keep records. Keeping a record is always a safe practice and important if you want to deduct your donation from your taxes. Remember that just because an organization has tax-exempt status does not mean that your donation will be tax deductible. If a tax deduction is important to you, request a receipt and a statement indicating that your donation is tax deductible. It is wise not to give cash, which can be lost, stolen or misdirected. Checks should be made payable directly to the official name of the organization only.
Don't feel pressured into donating on the spot. The charity requesting your donation today will still embrace your donation with open arms tomorrow. By investing just a little extra time to make intelligent and well-considered choices, we can work in union with charitable organizations to meet and overcome the most pressing issues facing our community and continue to make Greenville a great place to live.
Stephanie G. Flynn practices in the areas of products liability, toxic torts and litigation. For more information, visit www.gwblawfirm.com or call Gallivan, White & Boyd, P.A. at (864) 271-9580.
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