BBB Offers Advice on Giving Wisely this Holiday Season

Nov. 17, 2011 - PRLog -- RALEIGH, N.C. (November 17, 2011) — Whether you are giving money, canned goods, used items or your time, Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina reminds donors that how you give is just as important as what you give.

According to the Giving USA Foundation, total estimated charitable giving in the United States rose 3.8 percent in 2010. This increase reflects the continued determination of every American to support charitable organizations.

“When looking to make a contribution, it is important to take the time to do your research,” said Toby Barfield, president and CEO of BBB serving Eastern North Carolina. “Consumers can visit bbb.org to view reports on more than 1,200 charities before donating this holiday season.”

BBB offers the following common ways that people donate to charities over the holidays and a few things to consider:

Give items. Many organizations solicit for donations over the holidays including coats, toys and canned goods. The items you donate should either be new or in good condition.

Give when you shop. Many charities have had success partnering with businesses that agree to donate some amount of the purchase price from sales to a worthy cause. This type of cause-related marketing means that you can help while you shop. It is important to find out what amount of the purchase price the charity will receive before donating.

Give online. Giving online with a credit card is among the most efficient ways to support a charity. Before you enter in your numbers, look for the organization’s privacy policy and verify if the organization has appropriate security measures in place to protect such transactions.

Give through text messaging. The option to give via text message took off in the wake of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti. After texting a message to a number, the donation is tacked on to your cell phone bill. While donating via text is quick and simple, the actual money can take 60 – 90 days to reach the charity since the funds are forwarded after you pay the donation charge on your next monthly cell phone bill.

Give your time. In today’s tight economy, you can always give a little bit of your time to help support a worthy cause. In addition to volunteering around the holidays, you can also be a vocal supporter of a charity and help raise awareness among friends and family.

The BBB Wise Giving Alliance reports on more than 1,200 national charitable organizations at www.bbb.org/charity and determines if they meet 20 accountability standards addressing governance, finances and fund raising practices.

For additional advice on giving wisely, visit bbb.org.

About BBB serving Eastern North Carolina
Better Business Bureau serving Eastern North Carolina is a 501(c)(6) not-for-profit corporation serving 33 counties in eastern North Carolina. The organization is funded primarily by BBB Accredited Business fees from more than 3,000 local businesses and professional firms. BBB promotes integrity, consumer confidence and business ethics through business self-regulation in the local marketplace. Services provided by BBB include reports on companies and charitable organizations, general monitoring of advertising in the marketplace, consumer/business education programs and dispute resolution services. All services are provided at no cost to the public, with the occasional exception of mediation and arbitration. Visit bbb.org.