GIVE! But Before You Do: 3 Charitable Giving Tips

Posted by Team HFM on December 01, 2015

We hope these tips will make the giving season a little less stressful

Tip #1:  Charity scams can be very convincing

• Always remove yourself from the immediate solicitation scenario to give yourself time to check it out.

• Don’t give out credit card or personal information in response to phone, e-mail or door-to-door fundraising.

• If you want to give online, locate the charity’s web site yourself rather than linking through an e-mail.

• Watch out for charity names that are “sound-alikes” to other well-established charities.

• Click here for more advice on what to look for and ways to protect yourself.

 

Tip #2:   Your donation may or may not be tax deductible

• Check out the IRS' 6 Tips for Year End Gifts
  

• Use the IRS's online search tool for tax exempt organizations EO Select Check

 

Tip #3  Identify a giving budget

• Form an idea of your goals (local vs widespread, crisis-driven vs sustaining, one-time vs. ongoing, which causes) and establish your household budget for giving.

• Allow some portion for ad-hoc fundraising support solicitations from friends and family.