Charities rely on grants and donations from the public to continue to help individuals in need. If you are looking to give a monetary donation to a charity, you will want to go about it the correct way. Following these steps will ensure that your money is going to a good cause, and that you will be able to take a charitable deduction on your taxes.
1 Perform a little research on the charity you are interested in giving a donation to. You can do this through the Better Business Bureau’s website (see Resources). Don’t give any money to a charity that has not been proven legitimate.
2 Check to see if the charity you want to donate to is a legal 501(c)(3) charitable organization. This will allow you to take a deduction come tax time.
3 Write out a check for the amount you wish to donate in the name of the charitable organization. The BBB advises that you always donate via a check verses cash, and that you never make the check out to an individual.
4 Mail the check to the organization you are donating to, or drop it off at the charity’s main office. Request a receipt to keep accurate records for your taxes.
Tips & Warnings
Request financial records if you are considering a donation to a charity that is not well known. The American Institute of Philanthropy advises supporting charities that use no more than 40 percent of their donations for general administration, leaving 60 percent of the funds to help the people in need.
Read more: How to Give a Donation to a Charity | eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_8042292_give-donation-charity.html#ixzz1H9N1x9p3
