St. Louis, Mo., Nov. 4, 2009 – As many consumers consider making end-of-year donations to their favorite charities, the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Charity Information Service has a ready source of guidance in the Winter 2009 Wise Giving Guide to more than 500 charities in Eastern Missouri and Southern Illinois.
More than 130 charities have met all 20 BBB Standards of Charity Accountability and have received the BBB Accredited Charity seal to include online and in their promotional materials. The standards include a review of governance, solicitation materials, finances and effectiveness.
The 13-page guide lists the standards. It shows which charities have not met them, indicating which standards they still must meet to qualify for accreditation. The guide is available electronically at www.stlouis.bbb.org/charity. A printed copy can be obtained by contacting the BBB at (314) 645-3300.
A committee comprising representatives of corporate donors and non-profit organizations oversees and directs the BBB’s Charity Information Service. The CIS was developed in 2002 to provide reliable information for individuals to use in making charitable donations. The guide is published twice a year. Up-to-date charity reports are available on the BBB website or by calling (314) 645-3300.
The BBB offers the following tips to donors:
- When considering supporting a cause-related marketing campaign, find the answers to these questions: What portion of the purchase price will benefit the charity? What is the duration of the campaign? What is the maximum or minimum total contribution?
- Before donating used items make sure they are in good shape to reuse. Donating junk puts an undue burden on the charity and does more harm than good. You also may consider whether it would be easier for you to sell the item and donate the proceeds to a charity. With so many online auction services out there today, it is easy to do so.
- If you are unfamiliar with the organization, don't hesitate to ask for written information about its programs and finances.
- Don't succumb to pressure to give money on the spot. A charity that can use your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow. Watch out for appeals that bring tears to your eyes, but tell you nothing about how your donation will be used.
- Before making online donations, determine whether the charity’s Web site has a privacy policy concerning the use of your name, e-mail address or other personal facts.
For more information on how to ensure that your donation gets into the right hands, visit the BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance at www.bbb.org/charity.
Contacts: Michelle Corey, President & CEO, 314-645-3300, mcorey@stlouisbbb.org or Jim Judge, Director of Charity Review, 314-645-3300, charity@stlouisbbb.org
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