Are you a tangible giver or an intangible one?
The carry-on bag was a recent donation even though I only used it once. After a long search to find that specific size for certain trips, I thought the 2 wheels wouldn’t be an issue. I was wrong. After using luggage with the 4 spinner wheels, I couldn’t go back. Being a more tangible giver, I donate tangible things like food, clothes, shoes, household items and even our formal dining room table and chairs when our California house was too small.
Donating goods, money and your time all require you to give of yourself with no expectation in return. There is no law of reciprocation unless you’re donating a new wing or building that will be named after you. The return is an intrinsic reward.
Given that, all charities are not created equal. How donor funds are used vary immensely. Then there is the charity hustle. The con artists that improvise and evolve to stay one step ahead of you, the unsuspecting donor.
A very well-known and respected group is the Make-A-Wish America. This organization spends the vast majority of its donations on children. Kids Wish Network, a similar sounding charity designed to confuse the donor with Make a Wish Foundation spends only 3 cents of every dollar collected on kids. The 50 Worst Charities in America
It doesn’t even have to be an organization. Amanda Riley, now known as Scamanda, has become infamous by raising $100,000 in donations based on a fake cancer diagnosis. A popular true-crime podcast and now documentary. She’s currently in jail and apparently still scamming.
Those dealing with a real tragedy or heartbreaking diagnosis should be aware about CaringBridge.org, a free, online charitable platform where friends and family members can post updates.
• If you, a friend or family member have a Public profile on Facebook and post a link to a CaringBridge journal entry on Facebook, it will become Public on Facebook.
• This means any of the 3.3 billion Facebook users worldwide can see this. Any one of them can then sign-up for a login to CaringBridge and read every private detail that is posted. While 99.99% will mean well and support them as they should, it only takes 1 person to take advantage of this information and put your family and those who comment or like the journal entry at risk.
• The donation request that pops up is not for the person being written about. Any money donated will go to CaringBridge directly to support this service they provide without advertising. They are an accredited charity with a high score.
However, if you want to donate directly to the person in need, find out directly from the family or friends how to do this. Send a card, flowers, food or offer to help in some way. Someone still pays the cost so make sure it’s in a form that the persons in need actually receive.
Giving is very personal so pick a charity or cause that you truly care about. Then do some research using one of these resources.
Charity Navigator – Charity Ratings and Donor Resources | Charity Navigator
GuideStar – Nonprofit data for donors, grantmakers, and businesses | GuideStar | Candid
Give.org run by the Better Business Bureau – Find Best Charities To Donate | Charity Ratings, Reviews
You can also establish a Donor Advised Fund that does have advantages and disadvantages. Donor-Advised Fund Definition, Sponsors, Pros & Cons, and Example
Many factors will determine how you give back. When you do make those charitable contributions, just make sure you are the one who is one step ahead of the charity hustle.