charities

United States
March 20, 2013 3:46pm CST
Was just reading today about how so many so called charities scammed Sandy Beach donation givers out of thousands of dollars and the person giving the donation will not be able to take it off on their tax deductions because the charity was not approved by the government. That is why I don't like to donate over the phone. I want time to look up these organization and see if they are legal. Even those sometimes put a lot of the money in their own pocket by charging a lot to be the CEO. What do you do to be sure your money goes where you intended.?
2 people like this
7 responses
@rubyroy (824)
• India
23 Mar 13
Ensure the charity has been in existence for some time and not a mushroom that sprouted yesterday.Check on their activities,give a small amount first and see how they use the amount.Ask them for details of how they use their funds if you are going to give a big amount.These will be a check that your money is going into deserving hands.
• United States
23 Mar 13
I will usually check the internet about their record. Sometimes I will see on the news how they are helping. I like seeing the help they are giving when someone else reports it.
@dragon54u (31636)
• United States
21 Mar 13
I always check out a charity to see how much of the money actually goes to the people they claim to help. I do not give over the phone or to someone at my door. I give to two charities, the Salvation Army and Paralyzed Veterans of America. Those charities give over 90% of what they take in to who they are helping. And SA does a lot of good locally.
• United States
21 Mar 13
There are so many charities for the Military.
@flowerchilde (12529)
• United States
22 Mar 13
I just don't know.. it's very sad, first that folks would rob from such a charity! And sad that I'm sure many do not give, not having, or taking the time to do a lot of research about the charity or charities.. easier to not give.
@sid556 (30960)
• United States
21 Mar 13
i don't pay anything to anyone over the phone...ever. if they come to my door, they usually have proper id. if not, i don't donate.
• United States
21 Mar 13
There are a couple charities that try to get me to mail request to my neighbors. The first time they will but after that they don't. I quit doing that for them.
@cynthiann (18602)
• Jamaica
20 Mar 13
It is awful when people are scammed out of their money. They are benefitting from another person's misfortune
• United States
21 Mar 13
They should put anyone into jail who is caught scamming others for profit.
@jenny1015 (13366)
• Philippines
20 Mar 13
There are a lot of people with a good heart wanting to help people via charities put up. However, there are also those who take advantage of the good people with such and make scams out of it. I do try to find out if an organization is a legit one prior to giving out any donation. Doubtful, maybe a strong word for one to help, but some real people needs our help and it would be a waste of our time, energy and resources if it were to go on the wrong hands.
• United States
21 Mar 13
I really hate to be called. I lost count of calls we got today. What was most interesting was when a guy was talking to me and something else caused the phone to become disconnected. He called right back but I didn't answer.
@wolfie34 (26771)
• United Kingdom
20 Mar 13
That has always been a concern of mine, how much of your money is actually going to where it should be going, and how much is being creamed off to pay admin, staff and all the publicity. Usually only a fraction is filtered through to the needy. The only donations we give are in the form of goods that we don't need any more we take down personally to the charity shops to sell, again you don't know for sure whether the money they collect will all go to the actual concern.