A "how-to" guide for charitable giving

As the nation’s largest charity, United Way of America understands the impact that charitable giving has on improving communities and helping individuals. United Way also understands how important it is to receive your donation of your hard-earned dollars. As you prepare to make any type of charitable gift, we urge you to follow the simple guidelines below.

View Your Donation as an Investment
Any gift to a charity should be seen as an investment, and you want to invest in a charity that will make a major impact on its recipients while also giving you personal satisfaction. An investment approach to a particular group or cause will ensure a more meaningful experience for you.

Do Your Homework
When selecting where to give, it is important to gather all the facts. Conducting thorough research prior to giving will help you separate legitimate charities from frauds, as well as reassure you that your donation is truly helping those who need it most. To avoid fraudulent charities, make sure your chosen charity doesn’t engage in any of the following activities:
- Asking for cash donations
- Sending mail appeals disguised as bills or invoices
- Offering very little or no information on actual day-to-day operations
- Pressuring you to give.
Understand the Tax Benefits of Giving
An added benefit to giving is that most charitable donations are tax-deductible. To receive a tax deduction, you will need the proper documentation when filing your income tax returns.

Decide How You Will Give and How Much
Financial donations are the most popular charitable gifts, but there are other ways to help your favorite cause. Many organizations will accept property and goods, as well as your time. There are many options on how to give, including donating directly online, by mail, through payroll deduction or through giving stocks and securities. Additionally, find out if your employer will match your charitable gift. This will even further maximize your investment.
Track Your Donations
Once you have made your gift, mark your calendar with important dates of your charity’s meetings and key events for the year. These are excellent ways to see your investment at work. Also, be sure to track the dates and amounts you gave payment methods and desired uses for your gift. You should automatically receive a receipt with an acknowledgement of your gift. If you don’t, be sure to follow up. Don’t rely on a cancelled check to count as a receipt.