Giving gifts that give back

TIPS FOR CHOOSING A CHARITY

• Clarify your beliefs and preferences. Do this before you open your checkbook, volunteer your time, or look at that letter from a charity. Think about what matters most to you. The environment? Education? Hunger? Animal welfare? Helping sick children? Economic development? Think about where you want to make an impact. In your neighborhood? Region? The nation? Internationally? Ask yourself if you want to support a large or small charity, a new or an old one.
• Make sure the mission aligns with your vision. Look at a charity's description on GuideStar, on its website, or in its literature.
• Verify the charity's legitimacy. Look the agency up on GuideStar, Philanthropedia or GreatNonprofits to ensure that it is a legitimate tax-exempt organization in good standing with the IRS.
• Do your research. Look for clear descriptions of a charity's mission and programs, goals and achievements. Are the goals measurable? Does the charity use concrete terms to describe its accomplishments? If you compare charities, be sure you compare charities that do the same kind of work, especially if you're looking at their finances. The type of work a charity does can affect its operating costs dramatically. Avoid charities that won't share information or that pressure you.
• Trust your instincts. If you still have doubts about a charity, don't contribute to it. Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and with which you feel comfortable, then make your donation.

Source: GuideStar

10 MOST FAVORED CHARITIES

• Doctors Without Borders, USA
• American Red Cross
• The Nature Conservancy
• World Wildlife Fund
• United States Fund for UNICEF
• World Vision
• CARE
• Save the Children
• Oxfam America
• Natural Resources Defense Council

Source: Charity Navigator

Just days ago, the Georgia Center for Nonprofits hosted its third annual Georgia Gives Day, an online fundraiser that each year brings together thousands of state residents in 24 hours of giving.

More than 17,000 donors gave around $2.3 million, more money than in both 2012 and 2013 combined, officials said.

And so it’s no wonder The Chronicle of Philanthropy ranks Atlanta fourth nationally when it comes to giving. Indeed, Atlantans gave roughly 4 percent of their adjusted gross income to charity in 2012.

Tim McCarthy, entrepreneur and author of "Empty Abundance," said charitable or "mindful" giving as he likes to call it "is a good option during any season because the giver always gets more than the recipient."

However, he said, it can be an especially good option during November and December depending on your tax situation, but also because there are so many opportunities during the “season of giving.”

“Our family, for instance, has gone caroling at nursing homes and served holiday dinners at soup kitchens,” he said.

So how do you know which organizations to which to donate?

McCarthy said that when he can't do the research himself, he uses www.guidestar.org, which offers basics on a charity's tax-deductible status and recent tax filings.

In addition, Charity Navigator provides detailed listings that cover the organization's mission, income statements, financial and accountability performance metrics, and executive pay. Each charity gets an overall star rating (four is the maximum), as well as one rating for financials and one for accountability and transparency. The Better Business Bureau gives an accreditation seal to charities that meet its standards for accountability.

McCarthy suggests Heifer International (heifer.org), a worldwide program to end hunger and poverty; the literacy program Child Aid (child-aid.org); or your local Habitat for Humanity team (www.habitat.org/local) — organizations that take small donations and have an impactful and efficient history.

Here are some other possibilities: