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OK, whew. So.
I'm going to make this thread real fast with tips to research charity and also some sites to research them.
I'm going to make this thread real fast with tips to research charity and also some sites to research them.
So, first and foremost, don't drop a DIME on an org that you don't know about. Take the 5-10 minutes to look them up, reference links, and get acclimated. All of these sites should 100% have websites and above that, their mission statement.
you can check on where their funds are going and how they're distributed using a site like http://charitynavigator.org . This lists all of their legal information, 990s, distributions, etc. It also documents any legal actions taken against them in the past or at current.
This site has been one of my ESSENTIAL tools to my charity work.
It gives me a fast overhead of what a charity stands for and if they practice what they preach. If you're a data junkie, you can even take their info and cross check it on http://irs.gov .
It gives me a fast overhead of what a charity stands for and if they practice what they preach. If you're a data junkie, you can even take their info and cross check it on http://irs.gov .
Some flags I personally look for that pushes me away:
-legal troubles (obviously)
-no 990s on file but around for more than 6 years
-overhead costs exceed....a certain amount. I'm not revealing my metric lol
-legal troubles (obviously)
-no 990s on file but around for more than 6 years
-overhead costs exceed....a certain amount. I'm not revealing my metric lol
The most critical part of this is getting educated on who you're supporting, but also, how that money gets there.
So, let's do a small walk through (with a hint of promo, as a treat).
So, let's do a small walk through (with a hint of promo, as a treat).
This bundle, from @humble is live and supports racial justice! It's got some pretty slappy games, and they want baseline $20 for it.
That's their minimum ask: $20. Note that this is a decision made out the gate. https://www.humblebundle.com/fight-for-racial-justice-bundle
That's their minimum ask: $20. Note that this is a decision made out the gate. https://www.humblebundle.com/fight-for-racial-justice-bundle
What does that $20 get you, besides games (and yes, see where this money goes before you just swoop a bundle):
funds are going to
- LDF (??)
- Race Forward
- The Bail Project
funds are going to
- LDF (??)
- Race Forward
- The Bail Project
Right away, I should have access to that info. Who are these groups? What do they do? Where does the money go?
Click those boxes. Do homework. Don't know who LDF is?
It takes one click to open a box that says
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF)
- how the money gets to them
Click those boxes. Do homework. Don't know who LDF is?
It takes one click to open a box that says
- NAACP Legal Defense Fund (LDF)
- how the money gets to them
I can't stress enough how much research is going to be a big determining factor. Humble does an excellent job giving info about the charity, transparent info, and explaining their legal and how PayPal Giving Fund works.
You've got info there. Ok, let's move on.
You've got info there. Ok, let's move on.
If you want more info, Google is your friend. There is zero tea and zero shade in going 'Race Forward sounds interesting, but it's part of Gov't Alliance for Race and Equity. I want to see more.'
ABSOLUTELY seek out that info! Use confidence as currency!
ABSOLUTELY seek out that info! Use confidence as currency!
Use sites and company's willingness to talk about themselves and how this works as credibility. The more info they want to release, the better.
And yea, side eye their asses when something doesn't match up.
And yea, side eye their asses when something doesn't match up.
Now, Humble is an oddity in that you're raising for many people. But this all rings much more true for single entities as well.
Look them up *thoroughly*-watch out for orgs that have spotty info, or can't be found. Do they have an EIN?
Look it up. Honestly, if not? 86 it.
Look them up *thoroughly*-watch out for orgs that have spotty info, or can't be found. Do they have an EIN?
Look it up. Honestly, if not? 86 it.
The EIN is going to be a series of numbers used to identify them LEGALLY. Think of it as a charity's serial number. They HAVE to have one and it HAS to be valid.
The second this isn't true? Walk. Seriously.
The second this isn't true? Walk. Seriously.
(walking back to Humble: the bundle is actually $30. The point stays the same, but the figure is wrong. Apologies!)
but the point being, if say, Bail Project gives me skeevy vibes, I can 100%
-vet their website
-vet their mission
-check them on Charity Navigator to see how they move
-vet their website
-vet their mission
-check them on Charity Navigator to see how they move
this is a good example because according to Charity Navigator they don't have 7+ years of taxes on file. Why?
Well, they've only been classified as a 501(c) nonprofit since 2017. 2017+7 = 2024. They can't fast forward time. Cross check them with IRS.
Research.
Well, they've only been classified as a 501(c) nonprofit since 2017. 2017+7 = 2024. They can't fast forward time. Cross check them with IRS.
Research.
Again, this is how I PERSONALLY research charities. I've got some in my backpocket as 'absolutely nots'. But I had to reach that conclusion.
Also: observe how ACTIVISTS move around them. Does their narrative align with your findings?
Also: observe how ACTIVISTS move around them. Does their narrative align with your findings?
It's easy to hop on a train and go NOPE DONT LIKE THEM BECAUSE [PERSON] SAID SO, but can they back that up? If it's egregious enough, you likely won't even have to ask.
Listen to the feedback. Especially if it's from the groups who SHOULD be receiving that aid in some way.
Listen to the feedback. Especially if it's from the groups who SHOULD be receiving that aid in some way.
So, some wrap up items (this went longer than I wanted)
-vet your charities
-check out their sites, missions, handling of funds
-use http://charitynavigator.org and http://irs.gov to ensure legitimacy
-vet their platform of fundraising
-ask questions
-vet your charities
-check out their sites, missions, handling of funds
-use http://charitynavigator.org and http://irs.gov to ensure legitimacy
-vet their platform of fundraising
-ask questions
Going to pin this tweet for awareness. If you want the tweet about what you can do to help black charities RIGHT NOW, click here: https://twitter.com/pleasantlytwstd/status/1267887429618405379
