ST. LOUIS, MO (KTVI)– It’s giving Tuesday and much like retail sales, charitable giving picks up this time of year. People naturally feel good about helping others during the holidays. So the Better Business Bureau encourages you to give wisely.
No matter what your income, people are generally in a generous mood this time of year. And charitable organizations make special holiday appeals. But you want to be mindful of who’s doing the asking.
Charitable giving is tax deductible. And you need to do that by the end of the year to benefit. But you want to give wisely. So do your research. Start by asking if the organization complies with the BBB’s 20 standards of charity accountability. Ask for documentation about programs and finances. Don’t give in to high pressure tactics. Online donations should be made only if the website is secure. And of course it’s hard to go wrong when you give to those charities that have a great track record.
So on this Giving Tuesday, check out the Better Business Bureau’s new “wise giving” guide. It summarizes information on 788 local charities. It’s available on line.
