Mississippians are generous by nature — each year, the state ranks among the most generous in the country — and we tend to be even more so during the holidays.
Our reputation is well-deserved, but it can also make us an unwitting target for the organizations and individuals who would exploit out generosity for personal gain or are so poorly managed that a disproportionate amount of the donations collected never reach the intended target.
According the Mississippi Secretary of State, one in four charities registered in the state spend more than the recommended percentage of the funds they collect internally, either for fund-raising or management.
While it is not unreasonable that charities use some of the funds they collect for such purposes, those costs should be minimized as much as possible. The best charities make a diligent effort toward that end. The BBB recommends that any charity that does not direct at least 65 percent of its collections to the cause they intend to support should be viewed with suspicion.
After all, when we give a dollar to help someone, we want as much of that dollar to go to the person as possible.
One of the best ways to achieve this is to “give local” to groups and charities you are familiar with. It is also good strategy to give items rather than cash. When you participate in food drives, toy drives or clothing drives, the potential for abuse is greatly diminished.
That does not mean, however, that you should not give to other charities, groups that may not be locally-based or solicit cash donations. There are many worthy charities that operate on a broad scale and use donated money for a wide range of good works.
In cases where you are considering making a donation to unfamiliar organizations some due diligence is advised.
The Better Business Bureau is a good place to start. The BBB offers several tips on the subject. Among them: 1. Watch out of copycats, organizations whose names are deliberately similar to well-trusted charities. That should be a red flag. 2. Avoid being pressured. Reputable charities do not demand immediate donations. They are as happy to have your donation tomorrow as they are today. 3. Avoid being emotionally exploited. Some scam artists depend on your immediate response based on an emotional appeal. Take your time; it will allow you to use good judgment. 4. Evaluate the charity. Learn some of the details about the organization. The BBB suggests a good first step in that process is to visit its BBB Charity Reports at give.org.
Our generosity is something we can be proud of here in Mississippi.
We encourage everyone to give generously, but give wisely, as well.
The Dispatch Editorial Board is made up of publisher Peter Imes, columnist Slim Smith, managing editor Zack Plair and senior newsroom staff.
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