Jim WinsettQ. I want to donate money supporting the earthquake disaster in Nepal. However, I want to donate to a charity that is fully engaged with the relief effort. What advice does BBB have for donating wisely?
A. Clearly, the Nepal region is in much need of support. People want to help as soon as possible, but donors need to follow some key rules about supporting disaster relief so that their gifts get to those who need them the most. The BBB Wise Giving Alliance advises donors to avoid being taken advantage of by questionable solicitations or wasting their money on poorly managed relief efforts.
Sadly, scammers are well aware of the peak times disaster circumstances create for charitable giving. It’s during these times that they try to blend in with those legitimate causes that truly deserve your help. It’s not easy to discern which charities are legitimate and which ones are cons, so we have assembled some tips to make sure your good intentions are not wasted. Here are a few of the ways to spot these bogus charities:
* Find out if the charity has an on-the-ground presence in the impacted area. Check the charity website to see if it describes what the charity can do to address immediate needs.
* Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. You may want to consider avoiding the middleman to have faster impact.