November 8, 2012 – Chicago,
IL- As the holidays approach many
people would like to help others in need and spread good will by donating to
charity. The Better Business Bureau (BBB) offers a just published
listing of 426 reports on charities in Chicago
and Northern Illinois which is available to
prospective donors at no charge. Donors can receive a pdf listing of these
charity reports and evaluation results by e-mailing ncastle@chicago.bbb.org or
calling Nina Castle at 312-245-2516. She can also respond to requests for reports
on individual charities. The listing and individual charity reports are also
shown on www.bbb.org
The
BBB’s Charitable Review Program is designed to empower donors to make wise
giving decisions and encourage local charitable organizations to accept the
responsibility of self regulation by adhering to a set of 20 charity standards.
The charity
standards are available and promote public accountability, responsible use
of funds, proper solicitation and governance practices.
“It
is extremely important to maximize the impact that holiday donations make by
avoiding common giving mistakes,” said Steve J. Bernas, president & CEO of
the Better Business Bureau serving Chicago and Northern Illinois. “A smart donor takes a hard look at a
charity’s programs, finances and governance before making a donation. Most
charities have the best of intentions but not all meet standards or spend
donations wisely.”
The
BBB recommends that donors avoid these common mistakes when donating to a
charity this holiday:
·
Research the charity before you give. Even
good friends may not have fully researched the charities they endorse, so don’t
just take their word for it; expertise is available. Go to bbb.org/charity to verify that a charity
meets the BBB’s 20 Standards for Charity
Accountability
·
Do not be influenced by high-pressure or
emotional appeals. Giving on the spot is never necessary, no matter
how hard a telemarketer or door-to-door solicitor pushes it. The charity that
needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow..
·
Make sure you know the charity’s correct
identity. With so many charities in existence, their names
can blur in a donor’s mind and similar-sounding organizations are common. Be
sure you know which charity you’re supporting and that it’s not a case of
mistaken identity.
·
Do not assume charities can use donated
household items and clothing. Worn out, unusable or
unwanted donated goods cost charities millions of dollars each year because the
organization has to bear the cost of discarding the unacceptable donation. If
you have questions about an item’s acceptability, call the charity and ask.
·
“Low overhead” expenses should not be the
only factor you consider. How much money a charity spends on the
actual cause—as compared to how much goes toward fundraising and
administration—is an important factor, but it’s not the whole story. A charity
with impressive financial ratios could have other significant problems such as
insufficient transparency, inadequate board activity and inaccurate appeals.
For
more consumer tips, visit www.bbb.org
###
As a
private, non-profit organization, the purpose of the Better Business Bureau is
to promote an ethical marketplace. BBBs help resolve buyer/seller complaints by
means of conciliation, mediation and arbitration. BBBs also review advertising
claims, online business practices and charitable organizations. BBBs develop
and issue reviews on businesses and nonprofit organizations and encourage
people to check out a company or charity before making a purchase or donation.
