Ask questions before donating to tornado relief

March 05, 2012|By Brian Heap | Factfinder 12 Investigator

(ANDOVER, Kan.) — The push is being made for donations to help victims and communities devastated by last week's tornadoes.

Charitable organizations have started soliciting money to begin the rebuilding effort.

But before you write that check, remember to do a little research to ensure your money goes where you expect it to go.

The Better Business Bureau reminds donors to:

Take time to check out the charity. Review a charity's website and visit third party sites such as the BBB Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Navigator to learn more about the charity and verify its accountability.

Identify what stage of relief the chairty intends to provide. Will your money be used for immediate assistance and rescue needs, or will it be used down the road to help wit temporary or long-term recovery needs?

Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Some charities may be collecting money only to pass it along to other organizations. You may be able to avoid the middle man.

Verify a charity is registered to solicit donations in your state. Conatct the attorney general's office to find out if the place your giving to is properly registered. Watch out for places that don't have a long track record.

Perhaps most importantly, check to see how much of your donation will actually go to victims and not be eaten up by the charity's administrative fees. A general rule of thumb is at least 75% of the money going to programs.

The American Red Cross says $.91 of every dollar it receives goes to programs. The Salvation Army says if it solicits specifically for a disaster, such as the midwest tornadoes, it gives 100% of the money to victim relief. Both organizations say donors can request how their money be spent.

Ask questions before donating to tornado relief

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