At the Pink Plumber, we believe in giving back whenever possible, which is why we donate a percentage of every job to the fight against breast cancer. We also realize that money is hard-earned, which makes it important to carefully choose a charity before donating. Here are some tips to help you select a cause worthy of your donations.
Check for Legitimacy
Your first step to choosing a charity should be checking to ensure that the organization is legitimate. You can do this by consulting charity databases online, such as Charity Navigator and GuideStar, which will verify their legitimacy. If you can’t find the charity listed on a database, ask to see the organization’s letter of determination, which should state that the charity is valid. Other organizations where you can check the validity and trustworthiness of a charity include the Better Business Bureau’s (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance and Charity Watch.
Identify Percentages
A charity is only as good as the percentage of funds that go to help the cause. A good benchmark to look for is a charity that spends 75 percent of its income on its programs, with the remainder going to administrative costs, including fundraising. Charity Navigator looks at this percentage to come up with its four-star ranking of charities. Those charities with four stars meet the criteria for a significant amount of funds going to the cause.
Check Reviews
What other donors and recipients say about a charity reveals a great deal about its effectiveness. Check for online reviews to see what people are saying. Consider that while an occasional bad review is to be expected, if many people are saying the same thing, pay close attention to what they’re saying.
Identify the Organization’s Goals and Achievements
A worthy charity should have a clear mission statement and concrete, measurable goals that jibe with your beliefs and intentions when it comes to your donation. The mission statement should be clearly stated on the organization’s website, or when you call, they should readily give it to you. The charity should also outline its achievements.
Trust Your Instincts
If a charity checks out on paper but you still aren’t feeling secure about donating to the organization, then don’t. There’s most likely a good reason why you are hesitating. It may be that the charity’s outlook or approach to the cause doesn’t agree with yours. Along these lines, representatives from a charity should never pressure you. If you are pushed to donate, that is a good indication that it’s best to step away. On the other hand, if the organization checks out and you feel really good about donating, then you’ve found the right match for your money.
When you hire the Pink Plumber to handle your plumbing needs, keep in mind that a portion of our proceeds go to the fight against breast cancer. For answers to your plumbing questions and service, contact the Pink Plumber today.
