Know Your Charity

When giving to support a local organization it is very easy to feeling and know that your donation or purchase goes to support a local sports team, church or other charitable organization.  With other non-local charities you want to make sure that your donation is in good hands.

Charities have an obligation to provide detailed information to interested donors. Never give to a charity you know nothing about. Request written literature and a copy of the charity’s latest annual report. This should include a list of the board of directors, a mission statement and the most recent available audited financial statements with accompanying notes.

If a charity does not provide you with the information you request, you may want to think twice about giving to it. Honest charities typically encourage your interest and respond to your questions.

Find Out Where Your Dollars Go

Ask how much of your donation goes for general administration and fundraising expenses and how much is left for the program services you want to support. The www.charitywatch.org Charity Rating Guide recommends that in most cases 60% or more of your charitable donation should go to program services. In our view, 60% or greater is reasonable for most charities. The remaining percentage, ideally less than 40%, is spent on fundraising and general administration. Most highly efficient charities are able to spend 75% or more on programs. Keep in mind that newer groups and those that are working on less popular issues may find it necessary to spend a greater percentage on fundraising and administrative costs than well-established, popular groups.

Attempt to seek more information about charities that identify as “public education” large portions of their direct mail and telemarketing expenses. This may be done in some cases to disguise high fundraising costs.
It is difficult to find out the real percentage of donor dollars spent on program services due to the inconsistent quality of charitable self-reporting. But you can ask the charity’s representative for specific information, such as how many individuals were served annually or what were the major program accomplishments during the past year.

Looking for a great local source to help your fundraising efforts give Sunset Coupons a call at: 800-627-6340.

Help from your friends at;
Sunset Coupons, LLC
800-627-6340
http://sunsetcoupons.com