While there is appropriate concern over donating money to unethical funds, it should not stop those who wish to provide financial assistance. It just means that donators take extra precautions when it comes to who they hand over cash. There are plenty of legitimate resources for donating money that will make it to the right place.

Even the Better Business Bureau is sending out recommendations and reminders to help people perform due diligence checks on organizations including:

Online Donations
Spam emails and message will no doubt be swirling the net over the next few days. It can seem simple to click a link and donate while the opportunity is right in front of you but be cautious about the emails and their real source of origin. It may say Red Cross but you can’t always be sure from an email message. Go directly to the web site of the organization and donate online there. Otherwise you risk not only the loss of your money but subject yourself to malicious viruses affecting your PC.

Consider the Source
Your favorite gossip blogger may be pushing a particular site or organization hard core but never rely on third-party information or allow yourself to be swayed by another’s opinion. You are still under obligation to do your own research to find the best way to donate

Research the Organization’s Endeavors
Find out if the fund you are donating to has a crew on-site that is legitimately offering aid to victims. Unless a team is in the area, you can’t be sure that the money will be used to help those in need or just line the pockets of good marketers.

Is the Money Direct?
There will be organizations that set up shop to raise funds for other groups. Skip the middleman and go directly to the source to ensure your full amount is being put to good use and percentages off the top is not going back to some other place.

Donate Only What You Can
While it is unfortunate there are many victims in need, it is important you don’t become a person in need because you’ve donated more money than you can afford. Even if your offering is small, it is still helpful. Be realistic about how much you can donate at one time and don’t short your own financial security.

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However, thanks again to technology today, you can have a heads-up about different charities before you donate. The website Charity Navigator is a watchdog for charities. The website scores charity groups based on different factors. Charity Navigator was started in 2001 and has quickly become the nation’s most used resource for evaluating charities. Last year, more than 4 million people used the website to research companies. Not only do consumers find the website helpful, large companies like CNN also use the resources of Charity Navigator to identify legitimate charitable organizations. The group actually has enlisted the assistance of professional analysts to review the financial documents of several thousand non-profit organizations. They then established a numbers-based rating system to help consumers better understand the charity prior to donating.

The two main areas the rating system concerns itself with are how the charity functions responsibly on a day to day basis and how well it is able to sustain its programs throughout time. The site awards a charity ranging from 0 to 4. You can search the site by charity name, its location, and the type of charity. The site also offers expert advice, tips for donating, and top 10 lists that highlight the tops and bottom contenders of charitable donations. The professional analysts behind the site have even been regular contributors to the major news outlets when reporting about charities, their responsibilities, and ethics in fundraising.

Even while many consumers are in financial turmoil of their own, people still manage to find a way to give back. Donations big and small do not stop coming in to assist those in need. It is because it is now too easy to create a believable charity that kind-hearted people would want to help. As people struggle to pay their own bills, worry about fraud and being taken on a charitable donation prevents many from helping. With a site like Charity Navigator, not only can consumers check out their intended charity, they may also be able to use the site to discover other charities that need help.

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While charitable causes and families who are struggling financially exist year round, it’s often brought into focus during the holiday season.  If you are someone who would like to give more, but don’t feel you have the extra financial means to do so – maybe some of these ideas will make it possible for you to give a little more despite difficult times:

Give Outgrown Clothing:  Families with children regularly have clothing that has been outgrown.  If it’s still in good shape (most of the time children outgrow their clothing so quickly that it doesn’t have a chance to get in bad shape!) there are many organizations that would be grateful for contributions of clothing.  You can give to:

• The Salvation Army
• Goodwill
• Local Thrift Stores
• Local Churches
• Local Hospitals

Canned Goods & NonPerishables: Most families have a cabinet or pantry of canned and boxed food items.  Even if times are tough, chances are you can afford to give a couple cans of corn or a box of macaroni and cheese to someone who is having an even more difficult time than you, right?  Look for local food pantrys/food banks as they are always accepting donations, or contact a few churches in your area to ask if they accept food donations for families who need it.  You may not be aware of it, but chances are your community has a food bank for families who hit financially tough times to stop in and get a bag or two of food to help them through.  These organizations rely on contributions from other families. 

Also keep an eye out for notices in your mailbox – the post office will often host a food drive and collect canned goods through your mailbox, and the local Boy Scout or Girl Scout troop may request donations from time to time to give to food banks, as well.

Donate a Used Cell Phone:  Verizon Wireless accepts donations of used cell phones from any provider, in any condition.  They refurbish and sell them, or recycle them.  Wireless phones with airtime is donated to victims of domestic violence, and proceeds from the sale of refurbished phones are given to non-profit domestic violence shelters and prevention programs across the country.

Give Your Used Bike: Did your children grow out of their small bikes?  Did you purchase a bike but realize you never ride it?  Pedals for Progress accepts used bikes and ships them overseas.  It keeps them out of our landfills, and gives people in developing countries a method of transportation that is environmentally friendly.

Donate Used Toys: Contact local organizations and ask whether they accept used toys – some of the organizations that are often in need of used toys include:

• Day care centers
• Children’s hospitals
• Police, Fire, and Ambulance
• Homeless shelters
• Domestic violence centers

 The Toys for Tots program is nationwide, and accepts new toys if you’d like to purchase and give a new toy to a family who could use it.

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I have seen various practical products for sale that also help to support causes, such as light bulbs, note cards, greeting cards, clothing, jewelry, candles, baskets, and much more. You can either “shop” by the charity of your choice or by the product of your choice. Look around for all of the types of items available for sale by the charity or cause and then keep it in mind for the next time you need to stock up. You can also purchase the items as a gift for those special occasions. The items will most likely be very unique and not something you can find just anywhere. Several things like note cards can even be personalized for the intended receiver. Many of the products can be purchased online so it saves you money and time. Not only are you getting something you needed anyway, you can also continue to regularly contribute to the fundraising efforts of your favorite cause.

Supporting the causes that are dear to your heart does not have to break the bank. Remember there are other ways to help out organizations that cost you nothing financially, only your time and dedication. Volunteering at a local women’s shelter or donating old sheets and shredded papers to the ASPCA, are invaluable ways to help efforts. It cost nothing and can give you everything!

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