(1888PressRelease)
December 15, 2008 - RALEIGH, N.C.– While many segments of the U.S. economy are being hit hard, none is feeling the pain more than charities. As potential donors are focusing more on keeping food on the table and a roof overhead, charitable giving is often the first thing cut from a family budget. For individuals looking for creative and inexpensive ways to contribute to charities, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) of Eastern North Carolina (www.bbb.org) is offering advice on keeping the spirit of giving alive this holiday season.
“In tough economic times, charities invariably end up in a bind; not only is there less funding, but there are more people reaching out for assistance,” says Beverly Baskin, president and CEO of the BBB of Eastern North Carolina. “While monetary donations may be hard for cash-strapped families, there are many other ways people can support a charity.”
BBB encourages the public to explore alternatives to cash gifts, and is providing the following “Top 5 Giving Alternatives” to help would-be donors in their decision-making process.
1. Toys, Food or Other Items
Many organizations can put “in-kind” gifts to good use, but there are points to keep in mind. First, the donor should contact the charity to find out what donated items are needed. Donors sometimes think any item they give will be useful to someone, but the truth is that broken toys are not welcomed by even the poorest children and families, and soiled or holey clothes will not sell in a thrift store. Disposing of unwanted or unusable “gifts” actually costs charities heavily in manpower and fuel costs.
2. Shop Thrifty
Goodwill Industries reports that as personal finances shrink, more people are buying donated clothes at its stores. And additionally, sales benefit its programs to provide job training. Buyers should note though, that not all thrift stores equally benefit their associated charities.
3. Car Donations
Changes in tax rules beginning in 2005 have in many cases lowered the charitable deductions for car donations. Donors should find out how the charity distributes the proceeds from car donations, and how proceeds benefit those in need. In some cases, the charity may receive a flat amount or a small percentage of the car’s re-sale.
4. Your Time
Donors can also volunteer their time this holiday season. The personal rewards can be great and can be as important to the charity as a cash contribution. Nevertheless, it’s wise to find out about the charity before making a commitment. Volunteering doesn’t have to involve direct assistance to those in need (like ladling soup at a homeless shelter). Assisting with office work or other behind-the-scenes tasks can be just as helpful. While the value of a donor’s time is not deductible, some out-of-pocket expenses directly related to volunteering, like transportation costs, may be.
5. Your Voice
Many charity Web sites feature “advocate” as well as “donate” buttons. Those charities are telling donors that their advocacy can help advance policies and practices that will contribute to their missions. Charities can’t promote political candidates but they can urge or lobby for public policies that further charitable causes. Donors may be asked to contact their representative in relation to certain legislation. Many charities also advise on how donors can further their programs through advocacy in local communities.
While there are many ways to give this holiday season, keep in mind that even a small cash gift often produces big benefits. For example, Feeding America says that $1 in cash can help bring up to $30 worth of food to those in need because the organization has economies of scale not available to the public.
For more advice on charitable giving, including BBB reports on more than 1,000 national charitable organizations, go to www.bbb.org/charity.
About BBB of Eastern North Carolina:
The Better Business Bureau of Eastern North Carolina is a 501 (c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from more than 3,200 local business and professional firms. The BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by the BBB include, reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, dispute resolution services, and consumer/business education programs. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit www.bbb.org.
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