. . . . On Disaster Donations. . . .
There have been many disasters worthy of our donations lately. I am not about to recommend where we should send our donations.
I will say this, however.
There are countless LEGAL charitable organizations, which are SCAMS. They are worse than the scammiest Vancouver penny stocks, because they prey on folks that may be making severe sacrifices for the sake humanity. And such organizations ROB the very causes they tout. Many use fancy internet websites and names that are similar to well-known organizations [though they are not exactly the same]. . . and many are merely post-office boxes or Mail Boxes, Etc.
Before making a donation to any charitable organization, be sure to do your due diligence. The single most important information for you to demand is a copy of the organizations Internal Revenue Service FORM 990. The Form 990 [required by all charities grossing $25,000 in donations per year] indicates the charity's annual income and where their money went. And most importantly, it itemizes the total compensation of the organization's top executives. Legitimate organizations understand the importance of sending a copy of their Form 990 and are happy to oblige. More on the Form 990: give.org
Some charities post such information on their website. Even the scammy ones include certain financial data. But the actual annual income and expenditures is often omitted along with the salaries, expenses, commissions, allowances and fees paid to its executives. . . or even the executives or board of directors names and titles.
And most importantly, the information often is not in the form of a Form 990, which can be verified by the IRS through any fraud investigation. Without this information, I would not donate. . . and would even consider reporting the organization to the proper authorities . . . here: give.org
Here are some links to help evaluate any agency that you might be considering or for further study on the subject:
National Charities Information Bureau "Promoting Informed Giving for Over 80 Years":
give.org
Quick-Reference Guide to 400 charities:
give.org
23 Standards for evaluating a Charitable Organization: bbb.org
Charitable Advisory Service:
bbb.org
Excellent Source for centralized information concerning disasters and disaster relief:
disasterrelief.org
Story on Disaster Scams over the internet or telephone:
disasterrelief.org
Fantastic source for those REALLY wishing to get involved. . .
independentsector.org
Library of facts about disasters:
disasterrelief.org
American Red Cross:
redcross.org
Another good way to donate is directly through missionary families at your local place of worship. And never tell a soul about your giving or the praise you receive will be your only reward. Instead let your giving become so automatic that your right hand does not even know what your left hand is doing. In doing so, you store up treasures which can never be destroyed or taken away from you.
And should you find yourself with nothing left to give. . or if you just want to do more. . .
The PERFECT donation is to volunteer.
The giving of yourself is the most rewarding gift of all and sets the perfect example for your children to carry on through the generations.
Rande Is |
