Charitable Trust

The Correct Way To Make A Charitable Gift

Charitable deeds have been part of western society for hundreds of years.

In most cases money donated can be at a micro level: a neighbor or a close friend who has fallen on temporarily had times and needs helping hand of some sort to see them through. Strangely enough, a lot of people feel uncomfortable by offering direct help. This is usually in the fear that it may set a precedent, and people will begin to regard these big hearted people as a soft touch.

This is why most people who look for the correct way to make a charitable gift prefer to do so anonymously. Nowadays, sadly, there are so many deserving causes throughout the world that it is almost impossible to help everyone in need. Therefore people who like to donate money to charity on a regular basis have to choose very carefully where there money will go.

Statistics show that more than three quarters of funds raised for charities in the western world is raised through individual donors. There are many organizations that provide free advice to donors to make sure that the money they donate reaches the people who deserve it.

• Never donate money in cash. Always pay by some traceable method, preferably check or bank draft. Never make your check or bank draft out to an individual. It should be made out to the charity in question only.
• After making the donation, hang on to all records. This is very important both for your security and also when you claim any tax benefits allowed on your donation.
• Check out the credibility and authenticity of the charity you are been asked to donate to. If need be to do a check on the charity through your state's local business bureau.

Once you have decided which charities are going to benefit from your kind donations, you should never feel embarrassed to request a copy their most recent annual financial report, along with a list of the members of their board. This information will help you to understand the charity's need and goals. You will learn how high the charities running costs are, and how much of your dollar donated actually reaches the people in need.

The road to correct giving is paved with good intentions. There are many individuals and organizations who claim to be charitable organizations, and intend to be also. Like any other business or organisation however they can be inefficient, top heavy in staff, especially in the fundraising and administration sections. You have a right as an active or potential donator to question why there are so many people involved, and what percentage of the running costs they swallow up. If you do not receive reasonable replies to your questions, then you should either move on or, if you feel that the charity involved needs your money, volunteer your services to make them more efficient. This can be by increasing the amount of money being donated to the charity by others. The other alternative is to help the charity find ways to reduce its fixed costs.