Reasons to give to charity…

In the financial world, the term “charitable donation” is often associated with the tax write-off it provides. But besides that added perk, there are hopefully other reasons you choose to donate to charities.

 The number one reason, in my opinion, should be the desire to forward a cause you personally believe in.

 What better way to use your hard-earned money than to play a personal role in helping a cause close to your heart? Everything costs money, and most non-profit organisations rely heavily on donations.

What I want to address in this article, however, is why some people choose not to give.

 I want to believe that not many people are penny-pinching or non-caring — because, frankly, that’s depressing. I think there may be other reasons people aren’t giving, and I want to address some of them here.

My hope is that, after reading this, those of you who don’t give yet will feel more motivated or more interested in doing so.

• You don’t trust the integrity of charitable organisations

 This is totally understandable, considering the number of scams that are exposed each year. As with anything, there are both good and bad organisations — you just have to be careful in your selection.

Just because there are some dubious organisations out there asking for money doesn’t mean there aren’t also legitimate ones that need your help. All that’s required is a little research.

Any reputable organisation will have a track record of projects they’ve completed, real testimonials, and proof of financial responsibility. Charity Navigator is a great place to start. If you can’t find any information, or don’t know anyone involved with the charity, it’s best to steer clear until you have more information.

• You don’t think your donations actually get spent on what they’re supposed to

This is also a legitimate concern. You might donate to a charity for years before reading the small print that says only a small portion of your donation actually goes toward the charity — while the rest is for “operating expenses.” This is why it’s essential to find out up front what each dollar you donate is actually doing.

 That being said, even non-profits have expenses. A portion of your donation may go toward supporting the organisation itself, which in turn accomplishes the things you want your money to fund. If the amount of money going toward operating expenses seems disproportionate, it probably is.

Also, if an organisation can’t tell you what your money is doing, you have the right to be suspicious. As long as you get clear information from the charity before donating, you should be set.

• You don’t have an affinity with larger charitable organisations

It’s important to give to causes you can relate to and feel passionate about. The United Way, Red Cross, Salvation Army, and American Cancer Society are reputable non-profits you’ve probably seen fundraisers for.

They’re so well known that some employers offer the option of donating to them through payroll deductions. These organisations do good things, and a large number of people feel comfortable donating to them. But maybe you don’t feel drawn to the causes they support — and that’s okay.