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Charitable Donations

Alternative Gift Giving and Charitable Donations

Honoring someone with a charitable donation in his or her name is still a great idea--don't let yourself be overwhelmed by the options. To help gift-givers connect with the causes closest to their loved ones' hearts, online sources of vetted, categorized charities are now available.

Search for charities
	AlternativeGifts.org - Their global mission is to send authentic, life-giving gifts to a needy world--gifts that build a partnership with people in crisis and that protect and preserve the earth's endangered environment--to nourish and sustain a more equitable and peaceful global community.
	JustGive.org connects people with the charities and causes they care about and to increase overall giving.
	GlobalGiving - A marketplace for goodness - you can browse ways to help others around the world and give to the solution.
	OurVoicesTogether offeres alternative gifts that promote the vital role of global people-to-people efforts to help build better, safer lives and futures around the world.
	Oxfam America works in 26 countries around the world. The purchase of each gift item is a contribution toward Oxfam America's many programs.

Donating to New Dream is another way you can celebrate holidays through alternative giving.

These days, with the proliferation of charities using online donations, it's easier than ever to give...or is it? With so many good causes at your fingertips, it can be a challenge to decide where to direct your generosity.

Just like when you have questions about for-profit businesses, the Better Business Bureau is a trusted source of information. Their Wise Giving Alliance can help you make informed decisions about giving, including an in-depth report on national charities.

The 35% rule

One of the questions you may wish to ask is what percentage of donations go to program expenses and administration. The Wise Giving Alliance recommends that fund-raising costs not exceed 35 percent of related contributions. Sites like www.charitynavigator.org and www.guidestar.org, offer financial information about the almost one million nonprofit groups registered with the Internal Revenue Service. Or you can contact the IRS directly

The online transaction itself

Investigate how much of your donation will go to the processing of an online donation--the fee is usually about 3%, or higher in some cases.

Another consideration is the security of your credit card information. Make sure the charity site uses encryption technology— your browser will signal that you are undertaking a secure transaction.