Charities Blog

Giving Something Back

Social Media Becoming More Useful For Charities

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twitter_fail_whaleCharities have long had to adjust to the changing landscape surrounding them. Gone are the times when even the average person gave freely to charities. There are many reasons for this, perhaps the harsh economic atmosphere worldwide being the foremost. In any case, whatever the reason, charities – especially the smaller ones – are hard pressed to find ways and means to generate more funds.

One way by which charities are adjusting is by using social media. Twitter is one of the most popular tools that charities are making use of to reach out to more people who might want to give cash, goods, and services to help those who are in need. Of course, there are other social media platforms which can be used, such as Facebook.

So how can your charity take advantage of technology in this respect? Social media platforms have a worldwide reach. By creating an account for your charity, you can expand your reach to the other side of the world without expending extra money. Maybe a little effort is needed, but the benefits far outweigh it.

Think about all the “lost” friends that have reconnected through social media. These reconnections may very well serve as potential donors. Even those who may not have heard of your charity before may very well be moved to help out your cause due to your regular tweets and updates on Facebook. The idea is to get the word out to as many as possible and nothing beats social media when it comes to that!

Originally posted on October 30, 2009 @ 1:25 pm

Tax Deductible Contributions

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Were you aware that not all contributions are “tax deductible”? Just so that you don’t get an unpleasant surprise after you donate larger sums of money, it pays to understand the mechanics of this.

For starters, know the difference between “Tax Exempt” and “Tax Deductable”

“Tax exempt” does not necessarily mean “tax deductible.” A tax exempt organization is one that does not have to pay income taxes. Contributions made to certain tax exempt organizations may be deductible on the donor’s federal income tax return. While the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) defines more than twenty different categories of tax exempt organizations, contributions to groups in only a few of these categories are tax deductible.”

According to the Better Business Bureau, there are more tips to keep in mind when you contribute to a worthy cause. Here are some of them:

1. Contributions are deductible for the year in which they are actually paid or delivered. Pledges are not deductible until the year in which they are paid.

2. The value of volunteer time or services to a charitable organization is not deductible. However, out-of-pocket expenses directly related to voluntary service are usually deductible.

3. Contributions for which the donor receives a gift or other kinds of benefits are deductible only to the extent that the donation exceeds the value of any benefit received by the donor.

4. Direct contributions to needy individuals are not deductible. Contributions must be made to qualified organizations in order to be tax deductible.

5. Contributions made directly to foreign organizations are not deductible, except in the case of some Canadian organizations as specified in an agreement with that country. Also, donations to charities located in Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and other U.S. possessions are deductible. Such organizations must meet the requirements for exemption under the income tax laws of the United States.

6. The “fair market value” of goods donated to a thrift store is deductible as long as the store is operated by a charity. To determine fair market value, visit a thrift store and check the “going rate” for comparable items. One cannot take a deduction if the goods are sold on a consignment basis whereby the original owner gets a percentage of the final sales price.

7. Donated property may generally be deducted at the fair market value of the property at the time of the contribution. However, there are special rules for the donation of cars and other vehicles. Also, in certain situations, additional details concerning the property’s worth may need to be filed with the IRS in order to make a deduction on your federal income tax forms. Also, gifts of appreciated property are subject to special rules. See a financial advisor for additional details.

Originally posted on July 9, 2010 @ 6:37 pm

Got Old Mobile Phones? Don’t Chuck Them!

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Mature Man Using Cell Phone

Have you gone through your old stuff lately? I have not, really, but after reading this a short announcement on The Belfast Telegraph, I realized that I might be hoarding a treasure trove without really knowing it.

The announcement was about donating your mobile phone and helping certain charities. If you are like some people, you might have several old mobile phones just sitting around at home. This is especially true for those who have a penchant for getting a new gadget every so often.

Think about it, what do you do with your old mobiles when you buy new ones? Personally, I usually give the old ones away. In spite of this, however, I found that I have at least 3 more mobile phones that are unused in my house. Check – you might have the same situation.

In any case, how can you help while getting rid of the technological clutter at home? I did some simple searching on Google and actually found many organizations which accept mobile phone donations. The Charity Guide provides an extensive list of groups which accept mobile phone donations.

In case you are wondering, old cell phones that are donated are used for a variety of reasons. Some of them go to victims of domestic violence so that they can call 911 in emergencies. Some go to senior citizens so that they can also reach help easily when they need it.

So if you have a cell phone or two that you do not use anymore, check out Charity Guide and other resources – you can help in this simple way.

Originally posted on January 31, 2009 @ 12:36 pm

Lowering you Carbon Footprint (Part 2)

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carbon2.jpgUses recycled paper products as much as possible and bring your own bags to the store when shopping to lessen the dependence on plastics which is proving to have more impacts on all the world’s ecosystems. Air conditioners also consume more power if they are dirty and have clogged filters. Have them cleaned regularly and checked for leaks to assure you don’t dump banned CFC’s into the environment. There is also a move to switch to on-demand heaters that don’t have storage tanks that have water that is constantly maintained to a specified temperature. These storage heaters use electricity throughout the day as they try to maintain the temperature of the water that is stored within them.
Showering is said to be a common source of wasted water so take shorter ones and install a low flow head that allows for the same effect without the need for more water. When buying stuff from stores, buy stuff that is minimally bagged or packaged to lessen the use of plastics which is tough in protecting the product stored within them yet tough on the environment as well. When heading for the car dealer, try to get hold of hybrids if they are available, they are getting better and cheaper and you might also get to save on taxes and toll fees in the long run. When parking while waiting, turn the engine off for an idling the engine wastes gasoline. Turn the windows down for fresh air instead of the AC. Plant trees on vacant lots and other useless spaces to get more of these carbon dioxide sucking organisms eating away at the CO2 we expel.

Originally posted on April 7, 2008 @ 1:43 am

Lowering you Carbon Footprint (Part 1)

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carbon1.jpgFrom the StopGlobarWarming.Org, there are many ways however small that can be done in order to lower your carbon footprint to help the earth. They come in many shapes and forms and are applicable for inside and outside of the home. These measures are meant to be behavior modification tips that would make earth conservation an automatic task for all of us. First, the switch form Incandescent to Compact Fluorescent bulbs. The old style incandescent bulbs are set for phasing out in the next few years to be replaced by more efficient CFL fixtures which are not only brighter but consume less electricity in their daily use. A single 5 watt CFL has the light output equivalent to 40 watts compared to a standard bulb so it does make sense. The tires on your vehicles are a major contributor to wasted gasoline as you drive around town making your car an inefficient machine. The insufficient air makes the engine run harder to push the vehicle forward consuming more gas. Clogged filters result in improper gas-air mixtures having your vehicle to poor gas mileage and lower overall efficiency which could also lead to premature engine wear. Inspect your air filters/cleaners to ensure the engine is getting ample air for it to work better and cleaner.
When using dishwashers and washing machines, be sure to maximize the load to allow more to be washed with enough water. Loading the washers with less than the recommended loads consumes just as much electricity and water as a fully loaded one. Recycled products are in and ones made from virgin products are out.

Originally posted on April 4, 2008 @ 1:33 am

Lowering you Carbon Footprint (Part 3)

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carbon-3.jpgGet your whole family involved in reducing your family’s garbage output. Re-use as much of the stuff as possible. Get stuff from the store in re-usable containers so you don’t have to buy those heavily plasticized stuff that end up in landfills. Old Consumer electronics and appliances eat more electricity than newer more efficient ones. Throw out that old fridge and AC and replace them with newer less energy consuming ones.
Most electrical devices have stand-by modes that unbeknownst to all of us still consume electricity. Un-plug and save a ton on your electricity consumption. It also lessens the energy demand for coal-powered power plants. You can also save on heating and cooling by using sweaters and other warm clothes indoors during winter and lighter cooler ones in the summer to lessen the use of heaters and AC units. Insulation in the proper places saves you a ton in heating and cooling costs so have it installed on your roof, water heaters and other appliances that will perform better when insulated. Warm day, dry clothes naturally and skip the dryer and get sun-dried clothes that smell crisp and better that chemically treated ones (fabric softeners).
There are more tips and energy saving measures you can find in the many conservation sites which all have the same goal, which is to save the earth. We have to do our share so we get the earth to last us longer. If not for you, then for the future generations that will thank us a lot for the green and clean earth we worked together for them.

Originally posted on April 10, 2008 @ 2:01 am

Charity Foundations are Non-Profit Organizations

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Practically anyone must be wondering, do all donations given to the known charitable institutions in their region actually reach their intended purpose of helping the actual people in need? Technically, the common man would care less but each penny or in kind donations are totally for the account of the people housed and targeted for such aids and donations.

Non Profit Charity Organizations

These charity organizations are non-profit organizations. They are purely for voluntary aid and work to serve people and endeavors in need. While the immediate understanding that people in need would be the main beneficiaries, there are other causes such as disaster victims, and other individuals who would find themselves on the losing end.

But just the same, the aim of such foundations and organizations is to purely offer help and support in any form possible. It is not about how much or what to give. It is about the use and extending that helping hand to help them in their unfortunate predicaments caused by varying events that have come into their lives.

[tags]non-profit, foundations, organizations, volunteer, charity[/tags]

Originally posted on May 23, 2007 @ 9:15 am

Donation To Catholic Charities

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The most notable donations given to charities would usually be in the form of cash or clothes. While there are many other things that catholic charitable institution would indeed need, they will in no way dictate what these needs are. Catholic charities such as that of the Catholic Charities of Santa Clara County, are numerous, most of them placed on their website but do not obligate people to actually prioritize them.

Catholic Charities

Donations are done through own free will. They will normally come unsolicited and it would depend on the people who put premium on them if they would be able to adhere towards these requests. Gifts in the form of cash gifts, legacy gifts, memorial and honorary gifts are some of the many types of donations that they would need and it would be up to the donors to choose on which among them would be ideal and affordable on their end.

[tags]charities, catholic, religious, organizations, foundations[/tags]

Originally posted on June 7, 2007 @ 1:12 pm

The Value of Battered Women

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It is a known fact that in the minds of many people, the easily most abused person in the household or in marriages would usually be the wife. Either they are beaten up or physically and mentally abused is the typical feedback that people around would hear. Foundations and movements have been done to help fight off the said abuse for these valued women and support in any way is something that they will surely need.

Abused Women in the World

Their fate would usually depend on their nature of selecting their partners. There are some who would unfortunately land masked men who would show their true colors upon marriage. While marriage is something that would top off all successful relationships, it is also a transition stage where couples would have to adjust their lifestyle and manner of living.

Pressure is something that would usually ignite quarrels and physical harm in most cases which in turn would lead towards ending up in court battles to seek protective custody in most cases for the abused. Such a resort would be normal considering they want to avoid any further encounters which could lead to worst situations.

[tags]abused, battered, women, wives[/tags]

Originally posted on March 25, 2007 @ 7:23 pm

Veteran’s Charity Scams

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Veterans.jpgThough many have served with life, limb and even their lives, many veterans fro the wars that the U.S. Military branches fall victims for these scams. Such an example would be the charity The National Veterans Service Fund for Vietnam veterans who claimed to provide help to those servicemen who were exposed to Agent Orange in the said war which failed to invest enough money to the veterans they claim so much to be helping. The said chemical was used widely in the Vietnam conflict as a defoliant to clear huge tracts of forest removing all traces of vegetation making it easier for the military to check and secure. The only problem was that the said agent was also a major cause of cancer and other health disorders that only became known after it was studied extensively after the war. The said charity was supposed to provide assistance in terms of medical aid, and other financial support for veterans and their families who were left to deal with the consequences of its use.

Senate inquiries on the activities of the said organizations questioned the more than 90% of expenditures that were focused on paid fund-raiser events with nothing much given to the Veterans themselves in terms of the assistance they promised. They raised alarm bells after veterans started complaining that the said charity was continuing to solicit and obtain funds for their work even if none of the said funds go to the veterans.

The office of the Attorney General have released many guidelines regarding such activities and that one should call or notify them of any discrepancies or irregularities regarding such matters should they arise to allow proper investigation by the responsible authorities. The same is advised for all those who give regularly to charities which should have the main focus of their expenditures focused on the people or cause they intend to help rather than for other purposes. The Vietnam comfort women are a group that need real support though.

Originally posted on December 27, 2007 @ 10:54 am