Consider that ratios can be higher than ideal due to special circumstances such as being a new organization (and thus having higher expenses than an established entity) or advancing a new cause.
When reviewing fundraising expenses, keep in mind that it costs money to raise money, but this should not be the reason for the existence of the organization.Įxamine the details of the fundraising ratio: the amount raised compared to the amount expended. While successful organizations should allocate the majority of funds to providing programs and services, remember when reviewing salaries that they still need to recruit and retain talented people while attempting to keep administrative costs reasonable. If an organization can’t or won’t share these with you, then don’t share your money with them – they can’t account for it.Ī good guideline to look for among efficient charities is an expenditure of 65-75 percent (or more) directly on a charity’s programs and 25-35 percent (or less) on fundraising and administration expenses. A good organization will be able to provide some sort of financial report – an accounting of its income and expenses. If the organization is not required to file Form 990 – and thus is not a registered 501 (c) (3) non-profit – request copies of their financial reports. These forms are open to public inspection and must be made available to potential donors upon request. If the organization is exempt from income tax, they are required to annually file Form 990 (see side bar) with the Internal Revenue Service. Many organizations post their financial information on their websites. Next, as much as you may hate this idea, it’s important to take a look at any charity’s financial reports. An important hallmark of a good charitable organization is its transparency in all aspects of its operations (not to mention good donor relations). That said, I recently crossed a couple charities off my list of prospects when I called for more information and the individuals I spoke with weren’t able to answer my questions and no one returned my call as promised. Most organizations are more than willing to discuss their programs. Ideally this information will be readily available if not, ask for it. Does it have targeted goals? Who benefits? How are these goals monitored and evaluated? How does the organization report results (short-term and long-term)? Are reports clear, understandable, and supported? Do they reflect the stated mission? How do they share the results of your donation? Next, look at how the organization determines the need for its services and programs. Who’s running the show? Review the credentials of the key staff members and board members if it’s a 501(c)(3) organization and thus able to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions, there must be a board of directors. Look for its mission statement it should be a concise and vivid expression of the group’s purpose, and provide an overview. Read about the organization’s goals, accomplishments, and challenges. A charity’s website is a good place to start. When you’ve found the type of cause(s) near and dear to your heart, obtain as much information as you can about the organizations you might support. You could contribute to the actual costs of spay and neuter programs, or rescue organizations, or education programs! There is a wide spectrum of approaches to this very issue, so you should think hard about how you would like to see the problem addressed. For example, let’s say you want to contribute to an organization that addresses pet overpopulation. Think about your specific goals for your contribution. But how do you know whether your check will actually alleviate any animal suffering? We hope to purge the haunting images of abused, neglected dogs in dire circumstances by sending off a check. There are so many pleas for funding that sometimes we can get caught up in the immediate emotional moment, especially when faced with horrific images or stories that can be an effective tactic to raising money. It may seem obvious but the first thing to contemplate is whether the cause – and the approach to it – is something you believe in and are passionate about.
Adopt a pet giftlist how to#
Here are some guidelines for how to evaluate an organization as a potential recipient of your hard-earned dollars. But how do you choose which ones to support? There is no shortage of good causes.
Many of us include animal-related charities on our gift list. It’s that time of year again: making a list and checking it twice.
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