Most citizens are willing to donate to charity organizations but are skeptical about the beneficiaries of their donations. Fake public charities are in the habit of pocketing the donations instead of channeling them to the needy. This is very disheartening to donors since they feel fleeced. To stop this trend, there is need for donors to verify the activities and existence of these charitable organizations before making their contributions. Here is a checklist that will help you establish the credibility of a charity.
Demand details of the course, mission or aim of the fundraiser. Some missions given by such organizations are fake and unverifiable. For instance, if the agent points at a disaster like drought, it is likely that such information is available on news. You have a right to decline the request if the mission is not clear and verifiable.
The government exempts contributions to charity from tax, whether they are made by individuals or organizations. Ask the fundraiser to provide the details you can use to claim exemption when filing your returns. If the fundraiser lacks the details, is unclear or provides information that is difficult to verify, you have an obligation to decline the invitation.
The choice of a name whose pronunciation or abbreviations appear similar to a globally recognized organization is an alarm that the team might be engaged in a shoddy deal. Use of almost similar name makes donors to mistake such organizations and donate without question. This is even a concern in business and is vehemently opposed. Such a charity is most likely an imposter.
Is the fundraiser pushing you so hard as if your donation is an emergency? Such high pressure tactics are meant to deny you a chance to think or scrutinize the validity of the charity work. Take your time and even if you have the money and are willing to contribute, do not follow the pace of another person. Conduct thorough background check on the organization and only proceed once you get a surety that the course and organization are genuine.
Some organization brag about years of existence yet they have no tangible results or success stories. By checking online or on news stands, you should get recent stories or photos of their work. If such information is not available, you have every reason to worry. The photos and stories should be of recent events that are covered on independent outlets.
The government regulates and sanctions all charity organizations. The licensing bodies provide their details on their websites for public access and verification. You should check the administrators responsible for these organizations and the activities they are sanctioned to undertake. This will indicate whether they are genuine and reliable or not. Since the details are available online, you can verify them anytime.
There are numerous verification options when the credibility of a charity is in question. They include use of SMSs and online portals for accrediting bodies. If a fundraiser is hesitant to provide the details you are asking for, ignore the request and alert law enforcement officials. Such an action will ensure that money meant for the needy gets to them.
Demand details of the course, mission or aim of the fundraiser. Some missions given by such organizations are fake and unverifiable. For instance, if the agent points at a disaster like drought, it is likely that such information is available on news. You have a right to decline the request if the mission is not clear and verifiable.
The government exempts contributions to charity from tax, whether they are made by individuals or organizations. Ask the fundraiser to provide the details you can use to claim exemption when filing your returns. If the fundraiser lacks the details, is unclear or provides information that is difficult to verify, you have an obligation to decline the invitation.
The choice of a name whose pronunciation or abbreviations appear similar to a globally recognized organization is an alarm that the team might be engaged in a shoddy deal. Use of almost similar name makes donors to mistake such organizations and donate without question. This is even a concern in business and is vehemently opposed. Such a charity is most likely an imposter.
Is the fundraiser pushing you so hard as if your donation is an emergency? Such high pressure tactics are meant to deny you a chance to think or scrutinize the validity of the charity work. Take your time and even if you have the money and are willing to contribute, do not follow the pace of another person. Conduct thorough background check on the organization and only proceed once you get a surety that the course and organization are genuine.
Some organization brag about years of existence yet they have no tangible results or success stories. By checking online or on news stands, you should get recent stories or photos of their work. If such information is not available, you have every reason to worry. The photos and stories should be of recent events that are covered on independent outlets.
The government regulates and sanctions all charity organizations. The licensing bodies provide their details on their websites for public access and verification. You should check the administrators responsible for these organizations and the activities they are sanctioned to undertake. This will indicate whether they are genuine and reliable or not. Since the details are available online, you can verify them anytime.
There are numerous verification options when the credibility of a charity is in question. They include use of SMSs and online portals for accrediting bodies. If a fundraiser is hesitant to provide the details you are asking for, ignore the request and alert law enforcement officials. Such an action will ensure that money meant for the needy gets to them.
About the Author:
Find a list of the advantages you get when you support public charities and more info about a reputable charity organization at http://tableofplentyhmb.org/board-of-directors today.
