If you are a charitable person and like to reach out to those in need then you are to be commended. However it is important to bear in mind that not all charities are created equal. While many do have the needs of people in mind and spend valuable dollars funding research and looking for ways to improve the lives of individuals, others are more of a blanket corporation that is simply looking to feed off of the generosity and well-meaning nature of good people. It is important to take the time to research a charitable organization before you part with your money as the number one question most donors have in regards to charities is, “How do I know if an organization is legitimate?” and also people want to know how and where they go to report a not-for-profit organization that they suspect could be fraudulent. Read on for some ideas.

There are always reports in the news about charities that are not so charitable upon closer inspection and steering clear of these organizations is not always easy to do. One of the first steps you should take before donating money to any charitable organization, even if it is well known is to go straight to the IRS. The IRS is able to do a search for all charities that it has personally given the stamp of approval to. If the IRS lists the charity you are considering, then that is good news, but delve even deeper into the situation. Now take the time to discover how effective as well as how effective the given charity really is.

It is possible to verify the tax-exempt status of a charitable organization as well as its eligibility for it to collect contributions that are tax deductible. You can do this simply and easily by requesting to see a letter from the IRS written to the charity that clearly states that it is tax-exempt or you can also go ahead and call the toll-free number for the IRS.

There are websites that can help you in your endeavors. For example Charity Navigator is able to rank charities based on their status in the IRS to uncover which ones actually do the most good for the people they claim to help. As a guideline any charitable organization that does not spend an average of 65 percent of its annual budget on living up to its reason for being should be avoided at all costs. The website GuideStar.org has a list of an estimated 1.5 million non profit charitable organizations in its database and these are all organizations that meet the necessary criteria for tax exemptions as delineated by the IRS. Another website, Give.org is closely connected to the Better Business Bureau and can provide a wealth of information about which charities are worthwhile and which ones are less so.

Look to your state attorney general’s office if you suspect that a charity is guilty of fraudulent practices. For example if you have reason to believe that there are not-for-profit groups or organizations that claim to be such but are not operating as such then report this right away and let the state attorney investigate the situation. If you are unsure about how to reach your state attorney general’s office then check out the website for The National Association of Attorneys General for a complete list for every state and the necessary contact information. Never let any so called nonprofit organization continue to bilk people of their hard earned dollars if you are privy to information that could shed light on the illegal dealings of the said organization.

We already know that white stands for purity, innocence, hope, and peace. Many of the charitable organizations that incorporate these things into their organization use white ribbons and pins to raise awareness for their particular cause. Following, is a few of the organizations and causes that rely on the color white to bring their message across.

Supporters of the National Right to Life organization often wear a white ribbon to signify the sanctity of human life and to raise awareness of saving lives through abolishing abortion. This group especially needs support because, since donations are not tax deductible due to the nature of the group's work, those who are looking for tax deductible donations may go elsewhere.

The color white, in all its purity makes a powerful statement when you are representing a cause in which you believe. Especially when there is a roomful of people wearing white who have all come together to support a common cause. White is also famous for Student Sexual Assault, a cause every college and university should promote awareness of. Wearing a white ribbon in this case doesn't mean you are or have been a victim of student sexual assault; it just means that you support the cause to provide a safe learning environment. Not everyone who wears the ribbon or pin

sponsored by a particular charity has personal experience regarding the cause; some just want to show their support for the kind of work the organization does.

Even causes and organizations that don't officially adopt white as their color may use it to draw attention to certain things from time to time. As the universal symbol of hope and innocence, white ribbons and pins are often associated with causes regarding children. As a matter of fact, it is often used to raise awareness of Child Exploitation in one form or another.

White ribbons and pins have also been associated with Adoptee Awareness, Retinoblastoma, and Bone Cancer. As you can see, no one group or organization has cornered the market on the color white. Often it is the context in which the ribbon or pin is worn that sends the right message the organization is trying to get across. You may not automatically realize what the white ribbon stands for if you pass someone on the street, but if you see a group of people wearing white ribbons, you'll more than likely have a clue as to what cause they are promoting.

White can stand for peace in a variety of ways. War protestors may wear white ribbons as a symbol of peace and their disdain for the war. Holocaust survivors may wear white ribbons as do other types of survivors. Survivors of childhood sexual abuse or those speaking out against such may wear white ribbons.

Ribbons, and especially those whose color has multiple meanings, can be personalized to reflect the message your group or charitable organization is trying to get across. It could be emblazoned with your organization's logo or just a few words, such as "Save the Children!" You can personalize ribbons with almost anything to get your point across. For example, there are Virginia Tech black ribbons with the date emblazoned on one side and the letters "VT" on the opposite side so that both can be seen when worn on the lapel. Even though black is the official color for mourning, those who wanted their sorrow to be specifically marked had the option of wearing a black ribbon with the added adornment. This not only lets people know they are in mourning, but why.

It's the same principle with white ribbons. You can enhance your portrayal of the cause that you support with simple additions that will set your organization apart from the others.

Donating to any charity organization can be rewarding and helpful to you when you file your taxes. When you donate to a charity, you want to make sure it is legitimate and that they can provide you with the correct documentation for when it comes time for you to settle up with the Internal Revenue Service. Did you know that there is an IRS form that can tell you a lot about your charity of choice? It is called the IRS Form 990, and you might be surprised at the information you can get using this particular form.

One of the first things you can learn about the charity is its official name and tax status. Only charities that have registered with the IRS as a charitable organization will have a tax status. As you look at the Form 990, you can immediately see whether or not the form is current by looking at the fiscal year listed on the form. The form will also tell you basic information about the charity such as the address and contact information. One thing you should keep in mind is that there may be several organizations with the same name so you need to look at the contact information and the address to make sure that you have the correct form for your charity of choice.

It is also important that you see whether or not the charity is exempt under the 501 (c) (3), also known as a non-profit organization such as churches, schools, and other types of charitable organizations. You will see this information on the 990 form. Only charities that are listed under this IRS rule are eligible for charitable contribution deductions. Check this information to make sure it applies to your charity.

Other information that could be of interest to you when you use a 990 form for your tax purposes it the information listed on the form that will tell you exactly how much revenue that the filer received during that fiscal year. You can see the revenue, expenses and net assets listed right on the file. This is important information for many people because it will give you an idea of the size of the operation and how the money is used once it is given to them. However, you also need to keep in mind that this information may not always be completely accurate and could possibly be misleading. A true charitable organization relies on donations in order to operate. As with any other type of business some years are better than others and when you look at the 990 forms over a span of several years, you might get a better picture. This is because one year may receive record donations (think about the charities during Hurricane Katrina) and other years, the donations may be very light. You can also look at this information to see how many paid employees work for this organization and the amount of money they spend to pay their workers. Some of these charities may rely heavily on volunteers, while others may employ a few people.

In addition, you can also look at these numbers and tell how much money is coming in and how much money is going out. These amounts are usually broken down in services, management, fundraising, payments to affiliates and total expenses. Program services are considered the services that the charity uses to help their cause or mission. This dollar amount can tell you a lot about where your money goes after you have donated it to the organization. A true charity will have large amounts of money going out in this area.

If you are like most people, you want to do everything you can to help out. Whether it is helping your neighbor in need or making a donation to your favorite charity, you are helping because you care. However, you may have heard some horror stories about so-called charities using donations in unscrupulous ways. How can you find out how your donation is really spent after you send it off to a charity? Here is a quick guide to help you sort out the maze when it comes to making donations.

Donate to Worthy Causes:

Of course you want to donate your hard earned money to a worthwhile charity. But with all of these organizations, how can you tell you are giving to the right charity—one that will use your money for good causes? One way to find out how your donation money is spent is to take some time to research charities and find the ones that are near and dear to your heart. There are many big name charities that you are have probably heard of that you know have good reputations. Charities such as the American Heart Association and the United Way are all good causes that will use your donations wisely. Also remember that charities don’t have to be big in order to make an impact. Your local pet rescue organization or your local women’s shelters are all worthy causes that are likely to use your money well.

Donate to Charities on your Own:

Another way to make sure your money is well spent when you give to any charity is to give your donations on your own. This means that you are better off not responding to solicitations from charities that you have never heard of. This is especially true after natural disasters, such as the case with Hurricane Katrina. It seemed that charities were popping up over night. Some were legitimate, while others were people in the business of trying to take your money to line their own wallets. If you want to make sure that your donation is going to be used correctly, you should stick to the charities you know and avoid all solicitations.

Do your Research:

If you find a charity that does sound very worthwhile, then by all means, don’t scratch it off your list just because you have never heard of it. This is when you should take the time to research the organization carefully. Check to see if it has a website, a contact phone number and a physical address. Fly by night operations will give you the least amount of information that they can so you can’t find them. Real charities will love to give you their information and you will always be able to call them to talk to someone. In addition, a real charity will give you information about how your donation is spent. This is a perfect way to help you sort out the good from the bad. Also, check to see that they have a tax id number. A real charity will.

As you can see, there are several ways to find out whether or not you are dealing with a real charitable organization or not. When you donate anything, whether it is goods, money or your time, you want to make sure that you are giving to a reputable organization that will use your donation for a worthy cause. It is always heartbreaking to hear stories about people who have given thousands of dollars to scam organizations. Just make sure you take the time to look into the various charities and do your research before giving anyone your money.

You can easily find the answer to most of your charitable tax questions online using a variety of sources.  While the IRS website is the most comprehensive, it is not the only one you can turn to; however you can find a wealth of information there.  For example, two publications you'll find on the IRS site that will answer many of your charitable tax questions are Publications 526 and 561. 

Publication 526, Charitable Contributions, defines what charitable contributions are, and which ones are tax deductible and which ones are not.  It is easy to read and gives plenty of examples.  It's a good idea to check each year's publication even if you are well versed in deducting your charitable contributions because of the constant changes in the various tax laws.

Publication 561, Determining the Value of Donated Property, is a valuable resource you may find yourself referring to again and again.  It addresses all types of donated property from household goods and clothes to cars and property.  While we would like to claim the amount we paid for a donated item ten years ago, the IRS frowns on this practice and imposes stiff penalties for those who over-inflate the value of donated items.  A quick read of this publication, though, and you'll be an expert at determining the value of anything you donate.

There are other online sources you can turn to as well for your charitable tax questions.  Many sites that offer financial planning and investment advice have information regarding taxes and charitable giving as well.  You'll find a lot of useful information at MSNMoney, such as up-to-date tax laws and advice on the subject of charitable giving.  While the IRS website is limited to the legal aspect as far as deductions are concerned, other sites offer different kinds of information on the subject as well as an abbreviated version of the tax laws.

For example, on the above-mentioned site, you'll find information about other perks of contributing to charitable organizations, such as beefing up your resume or learning a new skill.  The Internet has a wealth of information to offer regarding charitable contributions, including answers to most, if not all, tax questions.

The University of New Mexico Foundation offers free online access to GiftLaw Pro, which is a comprehensive database that addresses all aspects of charitable contributions, from planned giving for beginners to the most basic of tax questions and the most complex of tax questions regarding charitable contributions.  GiftLaw Pro is contained in a user-friendly website that offers tools and calculators along with links and comprehensive information on all aspects of charitable  giving.

You'll also find websites of those in business to help those who need professional help to make the most of their charitable contributions.  For those who have a large amount of money to contribute, they need to make sure they do so in a manner that, while helping others, offers the least amount of financial burden at tax time.  You'll find experienced professionals who can best advise you as to the tax implications of your charitable gifts.

As with any endeavor, unfortunately, it's prudent to watch out for scams and scam artists.  Steer clear from anyone who offers to inflate the value of your charitable contributions because this can only spell trouble for you when Uncle Sam gets wind of it.  All in all, though, the web is a plethora of information regarding charitable contributions and the tax implications that go along with them.  You'll find interesting tidbits along the way, such as the fact that you can deduct a charitable contribution for the year in which you charged it on your credit card, even if you didn't actually pay for it until the following year.

Just plug "Charitable Tax Questions" into your favorite search engine and you'll be rewarded with all the information you need to answer your tax questions.

United Way is often referred to as America's number one charity – and for good reason.  Not just because they raised nearly 4 billion dollars in 2005-2006, but because they are involved in all aspects of helping those in need all across America.  While United Way is a national agency, there are more than 1300 local United Way agencies all across the United States.  Whether there's a disaster affecting the lives of thousands of people or a family in need, the United Way most likely has a hand in it.  They partner with dozens of other agencies, such as the American Red Cross to provide relief to families and communities.

For example, not only is the United Way responsible for disaster relief across the United States, but they help provide disaster preparedness training in communities across the nation.  They have worked diligently to provide 2-1-1 service in the majority of states so far and are still working to provide all states and communities with this valuable service.  2-1-1 is an information hotline that those in need can call to find out how to get help and where to go to get help for their particular area of need.  In addition, United Way supports many youth programs and programs for young children.

The United Way is often the first point of contact for those in need.  Those who don't know where to turn go to the United Way and are referred to the appropriate agencies that may be able to help them.  United Way goes much further than just the surface though; while they may help a homeless family with immediate needs, they will also help the family through various resources to combat the problem of homelessness and to get back on their feet.

United Way, through its partner agencies, provides dozens of services to needy families and communities.  While many of these services are based on financial need, some services are based on other types of need.  For example, they are responsible for providing battered women's shelters in many communities and not only offer these women a safe haven, but help them to find jobs and other resources they need to start a new life.

United Way has a hand in providing literacy training and provides classes for parents in many communities.  They also help to provide medical care to uninsured or underinsured individuals and families.  They also provide certain medical screening tests, such as Breast Cancer screening and Cervical Cancer screening for those who qualify.

United Way is a huge advocate for children and youth in cities and communities all across the United States.  Children's programs include programs such as Head Start, and daycare and camp programs at community YWCA facilities, health care, nutritional care and education, and dozens of other programs that benefit children.

United Way not only helps youth in need but trains them to help others as well.  United Way sometimes takes youth volunteers into areas where a large amount of aid is needed, such as areas where tornadoes or hurricanes have destroyed communities.  As much as the youth are helping others by volunteering their time and talents, they are being helped by receiving the training provided by this super agency and learning invaluable lessons, such as how to work as a team.  Youth volunteers traveled with the United Way in the wake of hurricane Katrina and made a major impact by cleaning up ravaged areas and serving the storm-tossed communities in a variety of ways.

United Way and its partner agencies are excellent choices for your charitable contributions because they provide so much to so many.

When most people consider charitable giving, they think of giving money.  However, you can also make charitable donations of non-cash items.  This can include almost anything that you have around your home, including clothes, household appliances, and even cars can be used by charitable donations.  Here are some of the rules to follow when deciding on non-cash donations to charity.

First, you need to figure out whether or not the items that you are thinking of giving away are actually useful.  Many charities will only be able to use your items if they are new, unused, or nearly new.  It is a pretty safe bet that if your couch is tattered and stuffing is coming out of it or if your washing machine is rusty and on its last legs the charity is not going to need it.  The same thing goes for timeshares that were a bad investment for you.  Depending on the charity, some will need your used car to actually be running in order to accept it, while others will take non-working ones.  If you are not sure about your items, you can try calling around to different charities and see what items they accept for donations.

If your items are useful, you might consider selling your items and then donating the money that you make.  Cash is a lot easier for charities to use for a variety of purposes.  You also help to eliminate the for-profit middleman that can take a cut of the proceeds that you wanted your charity to receive.  You also save the charity the time and money of either selling the item themselves or refurbishing it.  It also makes it easier on you come tax time, since you have an exact value to put down instead of estimating what your item was worth.  There are a variety of places that you can sell items or place ads, including EBay, your local newspaper, and Craig’s List.  If you have several items, or know multiple people who might be interested in supporting the same cause, you can consider partnering with friends or family and hosting a multi-family sale to benefit your charity.  Advertising the cause that you are supporting may also help you to get higher offers on items at the sale – for instance, put up signs saying that all the proceeds will go to breast cancer research or the local animal shelter.

If you decide that you do not want to sell your items and or the items themselves may be useful to the charity, you will want to try and find the right charity.  The best thing to do is to start looking locally.  Shipping or transportation costs will lower the value of your donation, so going local is the best way to get your money’s worth.  Ask friends and neighbors about charities that they know of, or simply go down your phone book and call around to see what items local charities will accept.  If they do not take the items that you have to offer, they may be able to point you in the direction of a charity that does.  Another option is to use an online search engine to find charities that work in your area.

Whatever you decide to do with your items, it is important to get a receipt, particularly on higher-value items, if you want to use your donation as a way to qualify for tax exemptions.  Larger groups, like Goodwill and the Salvation Army, will give you receipts for donations larger than a value of $1000.  You will then need to save all these receipts for tax time so that you can properly itemize your charitable donations.

Besides helping you to feel good and supporting a worthy cause, charities have an added benefit of also providing tax incentives.  Here is a look at some of the benefits that you can get by making charitable contributions.

First off, many donations to qualified organizations can be used as an income tax itemized deduction.  Your tax savings reduces the actual cost of the donation, so for people in higher income brackets this is particularly attractive.  Anyone can benefit with itemized deductions, but the more money you make and the larger the donation the more of a deduction you will get.

The contribution to a charity is deductible in the year it is paid.  So if you pay a donation with your credit card, you can count it on that year’s tax return – even if you do not pay the credit card off until the following year.

Nearly all charitable organizations qualify for the deduction; however a select few are not.  These include contributions to foreign governments, foreign charities, and some private foundations.  You will want to look into this ahead of time.  Keep in mind that a charity can lose its status if a large part of its activities are used in propaganda or influencing legislation.  Also, donations to needy individuals are not eligible for deduction.

There are some limits to the amount of charitable donations that you can deduct, but they are very high.  The only time you would need to be concerned is if your contributions equal more than 20% of your adjusted gross income.  For public charity, the amount is limited to 50% of your adjusted gross income.  If you have concerns about going over the limit, you should consider talking to your tax advisor to see what your options are.  Sometimes the excess can be carried over for later years.

Charitable donations are not limited to strictly cash.  You can use non-cash donations as well for deductions.  You can often get the full fair market value of the property that you donate.  So if the property is appreciated, you are in a sense receiving a deduction on amount that was not reported as income.  Many items qualify, including clothes, furniture, and other equipment.  However, the IRS states that these items should be in “good condition or better” in order to qualify.  Goodwill, the Salvation Army, and other organizations will give you receipts for donations worth over $1,000.

In order to receive the maximum deductions, make sure to save your receipts.  You cannot qualify a contribution greater than $250 without written proof.  You need a receipt from the organization for all donations, including cash ones.  Cancelled checks and credit card statements can also be helpful in case of an audit.

Another good thing about charitable donations and their tax benefits is that there are so many organizations that you can choose to donate to.  So you can support almost any cause that you feel strongly about and still receive benefits while you give.  This includes:  churches and religious organizations, including missionaries with U.S. bases; educational organizations that are tax exempt; certain medical research organizations and hospitals that are tax exempt; government units; a community chest or other publicly supported organizations; private foundations if they distribute all the contributions within two and half months past the end of the fiscal year; private foundations that pool donations into common funds; and membership organizations that rely on the general public for at least a third of their contributions.

So whether you want to save the whales, find a cure for cancer, or support your local church, there are plenty of ways to do it.  Doing charitable donations are one way that you can do this and also receive something beyond warm fuzzy feelings in return.

Money is a fascinating commodity and while we don't often think of the psychological aspects of the financial decisions we make, they are certainly there.  Fundraisers for charitable organizations realize how steeped in psychology the process of giving to others is; they know often before we do the various reasons why we're willing to part with our hard earned money.

All of us give for different reasons and many of us give for different reasons at different times.  A powerful incentive for some is a shared experience with those in need.  Anyone who has ever been homeless, for example, is more inclined to empathize with the homeless and may be more inclined to contribute to those charitable organizations that work with the homeless.  The same principle applies to those of us who have had cancer, or who have had a loved one suffer from the disease.

Some people just want to help others who are less fortunate.  We are all richer than others and poorer than others, depending upon our perspective at any given time.  Contrary to popular belief, the majority of charitable contributions don't come from wealthy corporations; in fact, 80% of all charitable contributions come from individuals.  Both wealthy and those who aren't wealthy contribute to charitable organizations, so the amount of money one has doesn't necessarily have a bearing on how willing they are to part with it for the good of others.

Some of us are just so grateful to have what we do have that we want to share with others.  We feel blessed by our station in life and want to help others to have a better life.  Sometimes, those of us who have never given before are suddenly moved by a television commercial or a news item that we instantly reach for our wallets.

We're human, too, though.  Sometimes we reach out to others for selfish reasons.  Giving to others looks good on resumes and college applications.  There's nothing wrong with giving for those reasons as long as we truly give in the capacity in which we are claiming to be giving.  You may volunteer at a hospital because you want to beef up your resume.  As long as you show up when you claim you did and deliver the promised service, they will be as glad to see you coming as someone who is contributing for purely selfless reasons.

Some people give to others because they need to do something and they don't need money the way most people who work at a job do, so instead of getting a job that pays a salary, they volunteer their time to others.  They may need to feel useful or fill up empty time.  Anyone who has ever had any experience with charitable contributions, whether they contributed time or money, knows how good it feels to give to others and that feeling can be addictive!

Some people volunteer at a charitable organization because they want or need to learn a skill and they don't necessarily want to take a class.  Perhaps they need more experience with computers or need to learn to answer a multi-line phone system.  Volunteering is an excellent way to learn these skills; it is a win-win situation.

Don't ever feel guilty for giving back to others just because you, too, are realizing a benefit from it.  Just like those who contribute money to a charitable organization often realize a tax deduction, those who volunteer time often realize a different kind of benefit.  It doesn't mean you're any less giving than someone who is giving for the sole purpose of helping others.  As long as you are delivering upon your promise, you can enjoy the extra perks guilt-free.

Most people have a strong desire within themselves to help others and one way this can be accomplished is by way of supporting a charity or a variety of charities. Awareness bracelets have become a popular way to show one’s support for a particular charity. Some people choose to wear more than one awareness bracelet at a time for different charities or might choose to wear different awareness bracelets on different days of the week.

Awareness bracelets are an excellent way for a charity to raise money for the cause it supports and it is also a way to bring education and awareness to consumers. It is not uncommon to see tables or booths set up in shopping malls for example where people passing by can take the time to learn about a given disease and often there are pamphlets or brochures to read as well as people there to answer any and all questions you may have.

The awareness bracelets trend got started with the “Live strong wristbands” and from there, other charities began to see the benefits of designing bracelets (made mainly from material much like rubber bands) that could speak for their cause. The bracelets not only have words on them to designate what charities they are representing but also are a particular color which signifies a specific disease, such as pink for breast cancer. Some awareness bracelets are fashioned from silicone but the great majority is rubber. Most charities sell these bracelets for two to three dollars a piece but fancier and more elaborate bracelets for charities can also be purchased at higher prices. For example there are sterling silver bracelets that can be purchased over the Internet for different forms of cancer.

It is important to be aware that the proceeds for awareness bracelets do not always go to the charities they appear to be representing. When in doubt always take the time to find out before you spend the money on an awareness bracelet for yourself or anyone else.

More and more charities are coming to see hew beneficial charity bracelets are to their cause and more and more people are catching onto the fact that by wearing tone this attracts the interest and attention of curious onlookers who are not aware of what the bracelets are for. From here the word is spread and more and more people are able to learn and spread the word even further.

Some examples of charities who are using awareness bracelets or wristbands to support their cause include breast cancer and other forms of cancer such as lung cancer, lupus, autism, aids, epilepsy, lymphoma, The Children’s Wish Foundation and many more. The popularity of the awareness bracelets has spread to encompass other important aspects of life such as the patriotic bracelets or wristbands that show support for the troops in Iraq and Afghanistan. These wristbands read, “Support our Troops” and can be purchased both online and off. This is an excellent way for regular citizens to lend support to all of the brave men and women who are putting their lives on the line daily to help others in less advanced countries of the world to live better lives.

If you are interested in an awareness bracelet for a charity you are passionate about but are not sure where to purchase an awareness bracelet or even if the charity has an awareness bracelet then check online or else find contact information for the charity and find out if awareness bracelets are a part of their charitable giving campaign. While you are at it you might want to learn as much information as possible about the charity and you might even want to consider volunteering at some point in the future if time allows.