14 - North Shore News —

Wednesday, December 8, 1999

Give like a wise man when you donate money

CHARITY finances
often take the main
stage when people
make their contribu-
tion decisions.

“Inquirers who contact
the Better Business Bureau
(3BBBj usually ask how much
of my donation will be spent
by a charity on. its program
services and fundraising,”
said Valerie MacLean, Better
Business Bureau spokesman.

While finances are impor-

tant, they do nor prov ide the
tull story of a charity’s activi-
ties and accountability.

The following points dis-
cuss basic ethica
beyoad the numbe
BBR believes will assist
donors in making more
intormed decisions.

As the charity’s name may
not always reveal the nature
of the services provided,
make sure the organizaticn’s

appeals clearly identify the
harity’s programs.

Poot on

For example, a solicitation
asking to help abandoned
animals should describe how
this is being done — for
example, shelter, veterinary
care, pet adoption.

In addition, donors may
be familiar with the name of
the charity, but may not
always be clear about what
the organization does.

If the appeal is not clear,
ask the charity for a copy of
its latest annual report, which
should include, among other

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things, a summary of recent
accomplishments.
Charity programs can vary

widely not only in terms of

the nature of the activity, but
also where these efforts take
place.

me contributors prefer
to facus their giving on arga-
nizations that benefit solely
the area in which they reside,
for example, local patient ser-
vices), while other donors
may prefer to support charity
activities that are more broad
based, for example, health
research.

Sometimes, it may be dif-
ficult to determine, from the
solicitation, if the charity is
conducting program-service
activitics within the donor's

community.

Donors should always feel
free to ask the charity for
more details about its: pro-
gram efforts.

The — charitw’s — annual
report or its Internet Web site
may provide this informati

Ia many ways, the buck
stops with the charity’s board
of directors, who have ulti-
mate governing authority
over the charity.

With this ‘in mind, an
informed donor may want to
take the time to check out the
board roster to identify who

is providing oversight and .

guidance over the organiza-
tion’s operations,

Many charities include the
professional and corporate

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affiliations of their board
members within the roster.

While the vast majority of
charitics raise funds honesty
and ethically, there are some
that cross the line in their
approach. :

Watch out for excessive -
pressure in fundraising by
solicitors who demand on-
the-spot gifts and offer overly .
emotionai appeals that are
intended to prompt an imme-
diate donation.

These tactics arc some-
times used as a means. to-
avoid being checked out.

A charity that wants your
moncy today, will welcome i it.
tomorrow,

Said MacLean, “When
you give, give wisely.

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