5 ways to give money to the poor
Not sure how to invest your donation for the good of those who
most need it? Here are some tips for choosing a charity wisely.
If your heart is touched with a longing to donate money to a
good cause, you may feel unsure which charities need or deserve
your contribution the most. Before throwing a handful of dollars
at the first cause to come along, consider these steps to help
you decide where you want your donation to go:
1. Does this charity represent a cause that you have a passion
for? Perhaps it helps to feed hungry children overseas. Or it
may provide services to disenfranchised groups here in the
United States, such as Native Americans or Asians. You may be
more interested in offering a gift to a particular social
service group that serves a special need, such as unwed mothers.
Whatever your preferred cause, find out more about it before
writing a check.
2. Learn more about the overall need either globally or
nationally. Rather than donate to the first organization that
catches your attention for world hunger, for example, find out
about the various types of non-profit organizations that strive
to meet this goal. You can browse the Internet in search of
these agencies, or visit the local library for information about
the types of relief agencies that are operating successfully,
how long they have been in business, and whether their financial
reports meet with public or professional approval.
3. Check out a specific organization before contributing. Ask
for a copy of the annual budget report; many agencies make such
information available to regular and potential donors. You also
may want to visit the site if it operates in your area, as well
as the location it serves. If the service area is located too
far away for a visit, go to the Web site and see what is
outlined there. Many charitable organizations have a Web
presence these days, and chances are the one you're interested
in will, too. Contact the people it purports to have helped and
see what they say about the service they received.
4. Ask how your money will be spent. In large organizations,
collections often go into the overall operating budget. But
sometimes special collections are made to buy school supplies
for kids, to provide immunizations against parasite infestation
due to poor water, or for other fund-raising projects. Determine
whether you want your donation to be used in a particular way or
if you feel it is acceptable to simply add your contribution to
the overall budget.
5. Do a follow-up check. After making a donation, whether
one-time or ongoing, you may receive a letter indicating how
your money was spent. If not, you may get a simple thank-you
letter acknowledging receipt of your contribution. You may wish
to get in touch with the agency to ask how the project you
donated to is going: did they meet the goal? Was the project
completed? Is it working out as expected?
To be an effective giver, take stewardship of your assets and
learn more about the organizations to which you donate money. As
news stories continue to report charitable abuses, you will be
glad you did everything possible to check out your agency before
putting your money into its pocket.
You can find more information here:
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