RE: Katrina Nonprofits (Deborah and Susan)
RE: Katrina Nonprofits (Deborah and Susan)
- Subject: RE: Katrina Nonprofits (Deborah and Susan)
- From: Fred Showker <email@hidden>
- Date: Mon, 5 Sep 2005 15:42:57 -0400
Our "Infomanager" post this morning has already brought a
number of inquiries questioning various organizations
including www.macchuck.com and the Red Cross.
(See footnote #1)
IMHO: in this situation, the stricken region is in dire need
that money needs to flow into the efforts immediately.
This would tend to discourage interjecting other "layers" of
donations into the mix unnecessarily. Remember that any 3rd
party acting as intermediary between YOUR money and the
relief efforts unnecessarily slows the process.
If anyone on this list, or any of your MUG members needs
to check the authenticity of the recipient of a donation
go to:
http://www.guidestar.org/
This is the "watch dog" site where nonprofits are listed.
They shouldn't ask for money if they're not listed.
You can even download the Red Cross' IRS 1099 forms and
see the organization's financial picture for yourself.
In fact, ALL MUGS who are actually chartered as a recognized
IRS charitable organization SHOULD get listed in Guidestar.
Giving is one thing... asking is quite another.
You can then cite your Guidestar ID, so potential contributors
or supporters can easily validate your charter. Grant writers,
foundations, and their attorneys all rely on Guidestar;
isn't that right, Deborah?
A link button in your web site to your Guidestar.org listing will
go a long way toward authenticating your credentials.
(Much more so than most other "affiliate" buttons you might display!)
I'm working on mine right now for our "Appleseeds Foundation"
Otherwise, if you don't like the Red Cross, then select the
organization of your choice at:
http://www.fema.gov/news/newsrelease_print.fema?id=18473
If your MUG wants to do something, see footnote #2
:-)
Fred
"You don't need a weatherman to see
which way the wind blows"
Bob Dylan
---
Footnote #1
"Official" donations ARE tax deductible - but donations to some
of the "3rd party" efforts may not be. Check them with care.
I'm not saying the 3rd party efforts are not legit... just
indicating it might be difficult to guarantee the money will
go where it's intended. It's also possible in many of the
3rd party "relief" promotions that the third party will take
the tax deduction for themselves, which may also include
your donation.
The www.macchuck.com reference mentioned earlier by several
people, including Lynn in the InfoManager disclaims any
such warranties.
Caveat emptor.
---
Footnote #2: Another way YOUR MUG could help --
I just talked to our regional Salvation Army director,
and in another month they'll be looking for clothing, food
and household staples donations as well as money.
Have a "Clean out your closets" drive in your MUG and
deliver the donations to your local Salvation Army.
Once the mess is cleaned up and people begin to try
putting their lives back together they won't be getting
money hand-outs, but they'll still, for the large part,
have nothing. The Salvation Army will be there for them.
---
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