Pointers from Goodwill - “Know Where Your Donations are Going!”
By admin | 4th December 2007
It’s important that donors make an informed choice and know to whom they are giving. “All too often people want to quickly clear out the things they can no longer use, and simply drop their unwanted items at the nearest collection box,” says Patty Fuchs, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Illinois. “People typically assume they are making a charitable donation, but that is not always the case.”
Donors can be sure their donations will benefit the people who need them most by asking a few questions:
• Will my donation be used to support a cause I believe in?
• What percentage of the revenues generated by my donation will directly support the mission of the organization?
• If the collection bin is owned by a for-profit organization, how will my donation help people in my community?
“Give to charities you know and trust,” says Fuchs. “Fraudulent charities often modify the names of established groups, so be sure to read carefully the name of the charity on the box before giving. Avoid donating to organizations that can’t immediately provide you with information about the causes they are asking you to support in your community.”