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ePhilanthropy Foundation’s
Tips For Online Giving
The Internet can provide generous Americans with a wide
range of opportunities to help others -- quickly and easily. To help ensure
that your gift doesn't go to the wrong organization and to help ensure that
gift goes directly to the organization you want to support, here are 10 tips
for online giving that will help ensure your online giving is safe and secure.
These tips are based on its ePhilanthropy Code of Ethical Online Philanthropic
Practices:
Online Giving Tip #1: Know
Your Charity
Make sure you have the exact name of the organization.
Some charities or charity websites have names that sound similar and you need
to make sure it’s a legitimate nonprofit. Before you give online you should be
familiar with the name and reputation of the charity you intend to support. If
in doubt check with your local United Way or Community Information Center, they
may be familiar with the charity.
Online Giving Tip#2: Give
to Legitimate Charities
Only give to charities recognized by the appropriate
governmental body in their respective country. Look for the charity to explain
their tax-exempt nonprofit (NGO) status in a FAQ or similar area of their
website. You should also be aware that some advocacy organizations are not
allowed by law to issue tax deductible receipts, you may still wish to support
their work, however our advice is to understand before you make the gift what
type of tax receipt you can expect.
Online Giving Tip #3: Feel Free To Ask Questions
Any
legitimate charity seeking your support via the Internet or off line, will give
you ample opportunities to ask questions and to learn about their mission. In
the US you can learn a lot about a charity by ask for the document the charity
files with IRS each year called the 990 Form. Nonprofit organizations are
required by law to provide this information when asked. If you prefer you can
find a copy already posted online at http://www.guidestar.org.
Online Giving Tip #4: Give Safely
Make sure the charity site uses encryption technology that
ensures appropriate security for online donations and data transmission. Before
entering any information you consider sensitive (i.e. credit card number,
personal identification data, etc), verify that the page requesting your credit
card information is secure (encrypted). The letters https:// - rather than
http:// - should precede the page's URL and/or there should be an unbroken key
or padlock symbol located in the corner of the web browser. If in doubt contact
the charity by telephone or by email before you provide the information online.
Online Giving Tip #5: Consider
Giving Directly
The
Internet provides tremendous opportunities to support the charity of your
choice directly. Don’t get taken by “charity” or “someone is in need” chain
letters. E-mails that claim money will go to a specified charity each time the
message is forwarded are not true. If your charity does not provide online
giving opportunities at their website, consider giving through http://www.helping.org which provides all
registered charities in the U.S. the ability to receive online donations.
Online Giving Tip #6: Demand
Privacy
Check
for a privacy policy concerning the use of your name, e-mail address or other
personal information. Don’t disclose
personal information, such as your address, telephone number, social security
number, or e-mail address—unless you know who’s collecting the information and
how they plan to use it.
Online Giving Tip #7: Keep Records
Print
a copy of the final confirmation screen that appears when you have made your
gift. In addition, keep a copy of your charitable gift confirmation email for
your records. If you do not receive a confirmation of the gift by email (and in
most cases by mail as well), do not give to that charity online again, until
you are certain they have brought their online solicitation policies inline
with these tips. In such cases, contact the charity to make sure they received
your gift and request confirmation of the gift.
Online Giving Tip #8: Look
For Contact Information
A
reputable charity will make certain contact information is readily available in
case you need assistance with questions, problems, or service. The charity
should provide one or more ways to reach them off line as well as communicate
with them directly online. Look for the charity’s contact address, telephone,
email address, etc.
Online Giving Tip #9: Know
How Your Money Will Be Used
The Internet provides charities with an opportunity to
share more of their work with you the donor. You should be able to learn how
the charity you contribute to plans to use the money you give to help others
and fulfill their mission. If you are not certain how the charity will use your
charitable gift, ask!
Online Giving Tip #10: Request
Regular Information
Your
favorite charity should provide you an opportunity to hear about their work
regularly. On their website or through email updates the charity should provide
information about how they fulfill their stated mission. These updates should
be received on a regular basis and should not be tied only to requests for
contributions.
