Donating to Charity the Smart Way

Before breaking out your checkbook and signing your savings over to an anonymous charity fund, use a little common sense and do some investigating. Following these tips from the Federal Trade Commission won't hurt either.

The best thing you can do is give to organizations with which you are familiar:

• Your company's charitable foundation
• The local chapter of the Red Cross
• Some other organization with a mission and management team you can trust.

Beware that similar groups may not sponsor funds with similar names. For instance, a fund called The Red Cross Trust For Freedom and Peace may not be affiliated with the Red Cross.

If you're not sure about a charity, check it out before sending money. Even during these sensitive times, circumspect entities are hoping to take advantage of good-hearted generosity.

Research Before You Give

To research potential charities, contact:

• Your local Better Business Bureau
• The charity registration office in your city
• The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance.
• The Internet Non-Profit Center (www.nonprofits.org)
• The Internal Revenue Service for information on tax exempt organizations at www.irs.gov/plain/bus_info/eo/eosearch.html.

If you're interested in donating directly online, you can locate various charities through American Liberty Partnership's website.

Phone Solicitations

Take the same cautious approach when someone calls you on the phone.

You'll probably want to give your donation directly to the organization, because solicitors cost money - money that doesn't go to the victims or their families.

If you do donate over the phone, give absolutely no personal or financial information. If someone asks you for details such as your social security number or bank account information, hang up and contact the organization directly to report this incident. The last thing you want is to give to a charity and have your identity stolen in the process.

If someone claiming to be from the police or fire department calls you, keep in mind that even if the soliciting group claims to have ties to your community, there is no guarantee that your money will be used locally or even for neighborhood safety programs.

And don't be tempted by promises of special treatment for donating - you're still getting that ticket for speeding whether you donate or not. Although there are many noble causes sponsored by police and fire departments, no solicitor should make you feel pressured into donating. Ironically, any one who does should be reported to the authorities.

Ask questions and demand answers. Request written information about the charity and how it will use your money.

In the end, make your check (no cash, of course) payable to the formal name of the charity.

Tax Deductibility

An important issue to bear in mind, particularly at year-end, is whether your gift is tax deductible. A gift to a tax-exempt group (one that does not have to pay taxes) may not be deductible from your federal income tax return. Therefore, always ask for a receipt indicating the amount of your contribution and noting that it is deductible.

Remember - giving a gift to charity is worthy but making sure that your gift is used for those in need is priceless.

Ari Kaplan is an attorney with McDermott, Will & Emery in New York City. He writes a monthly column for eWEEK magazine and can be reached at www.arikaplan.net. This information is intended for reference use only and should not be construed as legal advice.

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