Choosing Wisely:

How To Reach A Giving Decision

By Juliet Werner

It’s Sunday afternoon and you’re at home watching TV or doing laundry when the doorbell rings. A quick glance from the peephole reveals a school-aged child, arms full of candy.

“Want to support my school soccer team?,” the child asks. You may reach for your checkbook, but mostly because you feel pressured and might feel guilty turning the child away.

This sort of giving certainly helps out, but ultimately it provides the same amount of satisfaction as, say, a candy bar; it’s filling, but the sugar rush is fleeting.

Donating to charity in a deliberate manner, however, can have a lasting impact.

“If I were to give a tip, it would be to be proactive,” Senior Philanthropic Advisor at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors Richard McKeon said. “Don’t just respond to the mailings you get at home and the calls.”

Being proactive, however, can be a challenge when there are so many choices. According to the IRS, there are approximately 1,010,400 charitable organizations nationwide. The IRS has created nine separate categories: Charitable Organizations, Social Welfare Organizations, Labor and Agricultural Organizations, Business Leagues, Social Clubs, Fraternal Societies, Veteran’s Organizations, Employee’s Associations and Political Organizations. With so many worthy causes out there, where can the generous turn?

Lauren Katzowitz Shenfield, executive director of Philanthropy Advisors, a service of UJA Federation of New York, guides givers for a living.

“I always urge people to examine their values and the context of their family and philanthropic goals,” Shenfield said. “By matching their own passions and things that are important to them with societal needs they’ll go down a path to appropriate giving.”

With 89 percent of Americans donating at an average rate of $1,620, it would seem that people are finding an outlet for their philanthropic urges.

“Once they figure that out it’s after school programming then they have to dig a little bit deeper who’s doing work in that area and who’s doing the best work,” McKeon said. “How are they approaching the problems and do you agree with that approach.”

McKeon recommended calling organizations in order to ask specifically about where the donated money will go.

“There’s a general lack of trust with nonprofits because of the one or two horror studies you hear about,” he said, adding that high “operation costs” should not discourage people from donating.

Shenfield recommended assessing a prospective organization’s “annual report,” available to the public online and at libraries. She said that a charity’s fiscal soundness, along with leadership and mission statement, should be considered.

“Having just two of three isn’t good enough,” she said.

When investigating fiscal soundness, it may be wise to visit www.guidestar.org, a Web site that includes an organization’s tax returns and the salaries of the top five employees. The site also reveals whether an organization has a deficit or surplus.

Guidestar.org is one of many helpful Web sites available to donors. “The Charity Guide,” at www.charity-charities.org, offers a comprehensive list of charities located throughout the country.

Another great resource is www.charitynavigator.org. This site has an “advanced search” option through which you can find charities based on keyword, category or location.

If you’re dedicated to supporting local charities, www.nycharities.org is a good place to start. Three popular charities doing work today in Queens are the Central Queens YM & YWHA, Jewish Child Care Association of New York and Federation Employment and Guidance Service

Overall, both advisors said they’ve noticed changes in giving patterns. Shenfield noted an increase in attention given to protecting the environment. McKeon said he is working with more and more people who are donating to international charities.

Shenfield said she’s optimistic about the rate of giving.

“I think it’s growing inter-generationally and across class lines as well,” she said.