The Do’s and Don’ts of Donating to Charity

Donating to charity is a rewarding way to give back to your community and help your neighbors in need. But unfortunately, not all charitable organizations are alike. In fact, some for-profit companies operate thrift stores but solicit donations under the name of a charity. These companies may not be transparent with donors about how they use the donations or how much of the revenue raised from the donation will support a charitable cause. Likewise, a growing number of scammers are posing as phony charitable organizations to target victims and take advantage of their generosity.

So, how can you be sure where your donations are going and how they will benefit others? We have a few helpful tips to keep in mind when donating to charity. Here are some ” do’s and don’ts” to remember when making a charitable donation.

Goodwill’s Cycle of Success

DO research charities before donating

When donating to a charitable organization, you want to make an informed choice. Find out as much as you can about the charity and the cause it supports. How will your donation be used? What is the mission of the organization? Start your research by checking with the Internal Revenue Service to be sure the organization is registered as a 501(c) corporation. You can also research the charity’s rating with agencies such as the Better Business Bureau’s Give.org or GuideStar.

DON’T donate to charities that cannot provide you with necessary information

If a charity cannot or will not provide you with detailed information about its history, mission, or the cause it is asking you to support, think twice before donating. A legitimate organization will always be upfront about its mission, purpose, and how donations are used. Don’t allow someone to rush you into making a decision or make you feel pressured to donate””this is something that scammers do!

DO check the organization’s donation policies

Once you’ve decided to donate to an organization, check their donation policies to be sure you’re following their guidelines. For example, before donating to Ohio Valley Goodwill, take a look at our list of items we can and cannot accept. While we can accept most items, there are a few we cannot accept due to safety reasons or the high cost of disposal. Following donation guidelines saves time for everyone!

DON’T throw unwanted belongings in the trash”“donate them!

Textile waste is a major problem. It’s estimated that the average American throws away 81 pounds of clothing every year, which harms the environment and contributes to clogged landfills. While it’s tempting just to toss unwanted clothing and household belongings in the trash, it’s much better to donate them instead! Ohio Valley Goodwill welcomes donations of clothing and household items”“even those that are in less-than-perfect condition. While most people know Goodwill as a place to donate clothing, at Ohio Valley Goodwill we can also accept small kitchen appliances, electronics, furniture, and even vehicles! The next time you’re cleaning your house, ditch the dumpster and box up unwanted items for a Goodwill trip.

Donating to Goodwill

At Ohio Valley Goodwill, we are committed to providing accountability and transparency to our generous donors. We’re always happy to tell others about our mission and explain how the donations we receive are used to benefit the local community. After collecting donated items, we sort and organize the donations that meet our standards for safety and quality and prepare them for resale in our network of retail stores. Then, the proceeds from the sale of these donated items are used to help fund Ohio Valley Goodwill’s job training and employment support programs for individuals with disabilities and our nation’s veterans. Reusable materials that we are unable to sell in our stores are responsibly recycled, helping to reduce the amount of waste that is sent to our local landfills.

Ohio Valley Goodwill is a non-profit organization you can trust. When you choose to donate to Goodwill, you can be confident that your contribution will be used to better your community and change lives through the power of work. With convenient attended donation centers and stores, we make dropping off donations quick and easy for you. Find your nearest donation site or retail store and make a difference today!