‘Tis the season for charitable giving, and there are plenty of in-need and deserving horse rescue organizations out there to consider.
But how do you narrow down the choices, and ensure that your hard-earned dollars are going directly to the places where they’re needed most? For that, we turn to GuideStar, a database that works to connect would-be givers with information on more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized nonprofits. Here are GuideStar’s recommendations for making the most out of the holiday giving season.
1. Clarify your values and preferences.
Charities are as diverse as the people who donate. Don’t just give to the first one that solicits you: consider the type of charity that means the most to you—small or large; startup or established; serving locally, nationally, or internationally. For equine rescue organizations, you may also want to consider if supporting an organization that serves a particular breed or discipline is important to you.
2. Focus on the mission.
Make sure a nonprofit has an easy-to-understand mission that aligns with your principles and beliefs. Many non-profit search engines will offer you the ability to search charities by category, size, and location. The mission should also be easily found on a charity’s website.
3. Verify a charity’s legitimacy.
Let’s face it: there are sham nonprofits out there, and the status of some charities that used to be legitimately tax-exempt may have changed. Verify that the IRS currently recognizes a nonprofit as legally registered if you want to make a tax-deductible donation.
Ask to see the charity’s IRS letter of determination.
If the organization is faith-based (churches and other religious nonprofits are not required to file with the IRS), ask to see its official listing in a directory for its denomination.
4. Get the facts.
Once you find a nonprofit that meets your basic requirements, dig a bit deeper. Pay attention to factors most relevant to nonprofit performance—results, transparency, and leadership—and don’t focus on financial ratios. Financial responsibility is important, but ratios don’t indicate effectiveness. Visit the nonprofit’s website and read its annual report.
5. Trust your instincts.
Your donation should make you happy! If you have concerns about a charity, don’t contribute to it. Instead, find another nonprofit that does the same kind of work and makes you feel more comfortable. Reputable charities:
Are willing to send you literature about their work or direct you to a website.
Don’t use pressure tactics.
Take “no” for an answer.
About GuideStar
GuideStar, www.guidestar.org, is the largest database of nonprofit information, connecting people and organizations with information on more than 1.8 million IRS-recognized nonprofits.
