Be Charitable But Be Careful
A couple of weeks ago I was visiting Mom. During our chats around the kitchen table, I couldn't help noticing how many calls she got from charitable organizations trying to talk her out of her Social Security right there over the phone - all they needed was a credit card number. Then there were all the solicitations by mail - probably a half dozen a day.
At least as far as the calls are concerned, I've finally convinced Mom to tell the phone trolls that they'll have to send their solicitations to her in writing - so she can consider them more carefully. Of course, that's not the way those folks work, so there's soon a click at the other end and she never hears from them again. That's not a bad tactic for all of us either, because it weeds out the ones who are just looking for the quick - sometimes bogus - hit, and if they actually do send us something, we have time to check it out more thoroughly before divulging our precious card digits.
Speaking of checking, the way to do that is through one of the non-profit watchdog services like GiveWell. With just a few clicks there, you can access more information than you'd probably want about many US and international charities and non-profits. You can also try GuideStar, where you can look at the federal Form 990s that most all US non-profits have to file with the IRS - even our local favorites. You'll be able to see where their funds are coming from, where they're being spent, what percentage of their revenues are being eaten up with administrative costs, whether their expenses exceed revenues, and whether they've got any endowment resources to fall back on. You know, generally snoop around in their closets for information many of them would just as soon not disclose. Plus, if you really are considering a gift, it might make a difference to you that the organization's just feathering its own nest, and thus that it won't have much of your benevolence left to carry out the admirable mission it's proclaimed for itself.
When you come right down to it, though, most of us seem to support our local organizations first, and we generally know the people who help those places make such valuable contributions to our communities. It's when we branch out that it can get dicey, and that's where some extra help can make the difference between doing good and doing nothing but wasting our money.
Posted on 06/30/2014
At least as far as the calls are concerned, I've finally convinced Mom to tell the phone trolls that they'll have to send their solicitations to her in writing - so she can consider them more carefully. Of course, that's not the way those folks work, so there's soon a click at the other end and she never hears from them again. That's not a bad tactic for all of us either, because it weeds out the ones who are just looking for the quick - sometimes bogus - hit, and if they actually do send us something, we have time to check it out more thoroughly before divulging our precious card digits.
Speaking of checking, the way to do that is through one of the non-profit watchdog services like GiveWell. With just a few clicks there, you can access more information than you'd probably want about many US and international charities and non-profits. You can also try GuideStar, where you can look at the federal Form 990s that most all US non-profits have to file with the IRS - even our local favorites. You'll be able to see where their funds are coming from, where they're being spent, what percentage of their revenues are being eaten up with administrative costs, whether their expenses exceed revenues, and whether they've got any endowment resources to fall back on. You know, generally snoop around in their closets for information many of them would just as soon not disclose. Plus, if you really are considering a gift, it might make a difference to you that the organization's just feathering its own nest, and thus that it won't have much of your benevolence left to carry out the admirable mission it's proclaimed for itself.
When you come right down to it, though, most of us seem to support our local organizations first, and we generally know the people who help those places make such valuable contributions to our communities. It's when we branch out that it can get dicey, and that's where some extra help can make the difference between doing good and doing nothing but wasting our money.
Posted on 06/30/2014