about making meaningful charitable contributions
I wrote this in 2005, not long after leaving City Harvest. It's on aol in a blog called "Twelve Tips" but I realize I need all my blog stuff in one place. Here it is, without edits:
1. Identify what you feel passionate about, what you wish you could work on full-time, where you want to make a difference.
2. Determine how much you want to donate.
3. Go to charitynavigator.com and search for groups that work on your issue(s)
4. Do your homework: read the profiles, find out about their missions and activities, budgets, sources of funds.
5. Don't assume that groups with two and three star ratings are not as good as those with four stars. Younger organizations, organizations that raise primarily private (not government) funds, and human services groups can tend to have higher fundraising expenses - it costs money to raise money!
6. Go to the web sites of those that really interest you.
7. If you have a little to give ($500 or less), you might want to choose a smaller charity so your gift has more of an impact.
8. If you have more to give, find out what the organization(s) consider a "major gift." Any gift less than that amount shouldn't be earmarked for a specific project - the organization just can't afford to track it.
9. Major gifts (usually $1000 and up) mean you're serious about the organization and they will consider that you are starting a relationship with them. So feel free to call and ask questions, or e-mail them. Gifts of $5000 or more may be worth making a site visit or meeting with a staff person.
10. Gifts of any amount can be made all at once or over time. Many groups have monthly giving clubs.
11. Consider making fewer and bigger donations in order to have more impact.
12. Remember that your financial support is vitally important to the organization's ability to fulfill its mission. You are a critical partner, a valuable member of the team.
I think this could use some edits to make it more applicable to folks with incomes less than 6 figures, but basically the right steps are there.
1. Identify what you feel passionate about, what you wish you could work on full-time, where you want to make a difference.
2. Determine how much you want to donate.
3. Go to charitynavigator.com and search for groups that work on your issue(s)
4. Do your homework: read the profiles, find out about their missions and activities, budgets, sources of funds.
5. Don't assume that groups with two and three star ratings are not as good as those with four stars. Younger organizations, organizations that raise primarily private (not government) funds, and human services groups can tend to have higher fundraising expenses - it costs money to raise money!
6. Go to the web sites of those that really interest you.
7. If you have a little to give ($500 or less), you might want to choose a smaller charity so your gift has more of an impact.
8. If you have more to give, find out what the organization(s) consider a "major gift." Any gift less than that amount shouldn't be earmarked for a specific project - the organization just can't afford to track it.
9. Major gifts (usually $1000 and up) mean you're serious about the organization and they will consider that you are starting a relationship with them. So feel free to call and ask questions, or e-mail them. Gifts of $5000 or more may be worth making a site visit or meeting with a staff person.
10. Gifts of any amount can be made all at once or over time. Many groups have monthly giving clubs.
11. Consider making fewer and bigger donations in order to have more impact.
12. Remember that your financial support is vitally important to the organization's ability to fulfill its mission. You are a critical partner, a valuable member of the team.
I think this could use some edits to make it more applicable to folks with incomes less than 6 figures, but basically the right steps are there.
posted by julieannerickson at 2:00 PM
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