Now that the new year is here, requests for charitable donations are probably trickling in, rather than pouring in. But whether you’re making decisions about where your company’s charitable dollars go or where your family’s contributions go, it’s important to have some basic information about smart charitable giving all year long.

Janet Bantz Glavin is community relations manager for the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Illinois; she’s also president of the Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP)—Central Illinois Chapter. “Total charitable giving in the United States exceeded $250 billion in 2004, a strong 5 percent increase from the previous year,” she said. “Fraudulent use of contributions affects less than 1 percent of all giving, so you can almost always be assured that your generosity will go to work for legitimate causes. But it pays to be careful.”

She said there are several steps you can take to ensure you’re contributing to a legitimate organization:

• Know the organization you want to support. The more information you have about a group, the better you’ll feel about supporting it.

• Take your time when deciding to give. Don’t give in to high-pressure appeals. Professional fundraisers won’t push you to give immediately; their job is to build a relationship with you. If a telephone or door-to-door solicitor starts using such high-pressure tactics, it’s time to consider whether or not you should give to that organization.

• Request information about a charity before you give. This goes along with the above tip on knowing the organization. Sometimes charities have names that sound similar, but they may not be affiliated with each other. Legitimate organizations will provide you with information about their charitable mission and how the contribution will be used. Ask door-to-door and telephone solicitors to identify themselves and name the charity they’re working for; many laws now require them to do this.

• If you use the charitable deduction when determining your taxes, always ask for a receipt showing the amount of the contribution and stating that the contribution was, in fact, deductible.

For a complete list of tips and donor responsibilities, visit www.afpnet.org, keyword search “donor responsibilities.”

Bantz Glavin said the AFP Central Illinois Chapter is an all-volunteer-run organization governed by a local board of directors. “These board members represent professionals from a variety of well-known, non-profit organizations in our community.”

An 18-year veteran of the non-profit and community service fields, Bantz Glavin said fundraising is at the heart of every non-profit organization. “Fundraising is attractive as a profession in that it’s not about asking people for financial support as much as it’s about asking them to support the services your organization provides in the community. AFP members’ organizations provide the services that impact the donor and members of his or her community in tangible and lasting ways to improve quality of life.”

She explained the AFP exists to foster the development and growth of fundraising professionals, to promote high ethical standards in the fundraising profession, and to preserve and enhance philanthropy and volunteerism. “The AFP Central Illinois Chapter officially was formed in 1982, currently has 67 members, and was recognized as a Chapter Ten Star recipient for achieving the organization’s highest international standards.”

Bantz Glavin said membership services offered by the central Illinois chapter include monthly professional development and networking opportunities; a monthly newsletter; job postings; a chapter membership directory; scholarships for the AFP International Conference; scholarships for the First Course, Survey Course, and certification process; membership scholarships for smaller organizations; reduced costs for members at monthly meetings and programs; programs and seminars featuring nationally recognized speakers; and sponsorship of an introductory course in fundraising.

She explained being a professional fundraiser requires the ability to wear many hats. “Fundraisers are called upon to create strategic plans for their organization’s funding strategies to ensure donor funds are used as efficiently as possible. They also assess their existing contributions’ spread of individual, corporate, and foundation support for new opportunities to create a diverse and sustainable base of support. They use their communications skills to develop volunteer leadership to help achieve goals and to provide donors with the best information possible regarding the various giving options, including planned giving and current laws impacting charitable gifts.”

AFP is a resource to fundraising professionals, providing up-to-date information on government relations and advocacy. “The AFP web site, www.afpnet.org, provides members with all of the latest news, information, updates, and analysis from around the non-profit sector, the fundraising profession, and AFP. Members can take courses online, participate in forums and online discussions, and renew their membership. The AFP Fundraising/Chapter Resource Center provides examples of chapter materials, such as monthly newsletters, sample job descriptions for staff and officers, budgets, mentoring programs, educational programs, membership recruitment and retention materials, and National Philanthropy Day programs,” she said.

Bantz Glavin said there are many good things about being a professional fundraiser. “It’s never dull, and your successful efforts are very tangible in seeing the positive outcomes of the valuable services offered by our various organizations. The diverse relationships developed in the community are also very satisfying. Patience, however, is definitely the biggest challenge for fundraisers.”

The AFP encourages all individuals to give, and Bantz Glavin said with the right information, it’s easier than ever to support your favorite cause. “Charities and the work they perform are the building blocks of our communities and our society. But donors always have the right to say no, regardless of the reason. Make sure your giving counts, and give to an organization you’re comfortable with and fully support. Be committed to the organization you’re supporting. There are more than 750,000 charities across North America. If you’re not excited about giving to a particular charity, there’s undoubtedly one that fits your views and needs.”

For more information on smart charitable giving, visit www.afpnet.org. For more information on the central Illinois chapter, call 679-4945. TPW

 

A Donor Bill of Rights

Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To assure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the not-for-profit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:

I. To be informed of the organization’s mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.

II. To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization’s governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgement in its stewardship responsibilities.

III. To have access to the organization’s most recent financial statements.

IV. To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.

V. To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.

VI. To be assured that information about their donations is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.

VII. To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.

VIII. To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.

IX. To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.

X. To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.