[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/giving-to-charity-wisely-during-the-holidays\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/giving-to-charity-wisely-during-the-holidays\/","headline":"Giving to Charity Wisely During the Holidays","name":"Giving to Charity Wisely During the Holidays","description":"As we enter the holiday season, many of us will consider making gifts to charity. It is estimated that nonprofits receive 40 percent of their annual donations between Thanksgiving and New Year\u2019s Day. If you are thinking about giving to charity this season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips […]","datePublished":"2021-12-15","dateModified":"2024-08-28","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/author\/amorusolaw\/#Person","name":"Amoruso & Amoruso, LLP","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/author\/amorusolaw\/","identifier":5,"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12de032c04195e9c39a06a6d6eea182f7b4fa655c20e245f8094a244b5cdd0cb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/12de032c04195e9c39a06a6d6eea182f7b4fa655c20e245f8094a244b5cdd0cb?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Amoruso & Amoruso, LLP","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/amoruso-logo.svg","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/amoruso-logo.svg","width":0,"height":0}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/giving-to-charity-wisely-during-the-holidays.jpeg","url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2023\/07\/giving-to-charity-wisely-during-the-holidays.jpeg","height":482,"width":724},"url":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/giving-to-charity-wisely-during-the-holidays\/","about":["Elder Law"],"wordCount":497,"keywords":["Charitable Giving","charity officials","giving to charity"],"articleBody":"As we enter the holiday season, many of us will consider making gifts to charity. It is estimated that nonprofits receive 40 percent of their annual donations between Thanksgiving and New Year\u2019s Day.If you are thinking about giving to charity this season, the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance offers the following tips to help ensure your gift goes to legitimate organizations and does the most good.Beware of similar names when giving to charityCharities seeking support for the same cause often have similar names. Before making a donation, be sure you have the exact name of the charity to avoid a case of mistaken identity.Review the charity\u2019s website carefullyA responsible charity should have a website that provides the following information: its mission and programs, measurable goals, and concrete descriptions of its achievements. In addition, you should be able to find information about the charity\u2019s finances. Bear in mind that the type of work a charity does will impact its costs.Be cautious about highly emotional appealsMarketers sometimes exploit the holidays and create highly emotional pleas to donors. Try not to make an impulse decision based purely on emotion. Instead, do some research to verify that the charity in question is legitimate and operates ethically.Think twice before giving to unfamiliar organizations requesting donations outside public buildingsThe holidays also bring a higher number of donation requests from people standing in front malls, grocery stores, and other public property. If you are not familiar with the organization, don\u2019t succumb to pressure to make an immediate giving decision.When in doubt, check with state charity officialsIn many states, charities must register with the office of the attorney general before soliciting donations. Checking with the appropriate office in your state is an easy way to determine whether or not an organization is legitimate. You can find this information on the\u00a0National Association of State Charity Officials (NASCO) website.Avoid charities that do not disclose requested information to BBBEven though participation is voluntary, charities that do not disclose any of the information requested by BBB WGA should raise a red flag. To find out if the charity you have in mind has provided requested information, visit\u00a0Give.org.Research a charity\u2019s tax statusDo not assume that every organization claiming to do good is a tax-exempt charity. You can check an organization\u2019s tax status with the\u00a0IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool.Charitable giving allows you to assist the people and organizations that have come to mean the most to you over the course of your life. It represents a thoughtful expression of your values and can ensure your legacy for generations to come. When done properly, it can also create an income stream and, if you are itemizing deductions, lower your taxes.We welcome the opportunity to make giving to charity part of your overall estate plan. Simply\u00a0contact us\u00a0to discuss your particular charitable goals."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Giving to Charity Wisely During the Holidays","item":"https:\/\/www.amorusolaw.com\/blog\/giving-to-charity-wisely-during-the-holidays\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]