Charity Banners

A request to purchase ad space in a publication to support a charitable cause is something you might receive, especially if you are in business. While making a contribution to a public safety group or a law enforcement agency is a very noble thing to do, you must view this with a business approach just like you would on any other deal. This is not to say that you should see this as a profit making venture of any sort, but that you should avoid getting fleeced or conned by a fraudulent party.

Just because a request contains the words “police”, “firefighter”, “orphans”, etc. it does not mean that they are all genuine outfits. Call the number that they provide and ask questions. In addition to this, you should also inquire from other related parties. For example, if the charity in question claims to support disabled police officers, then you should check with the local police authorities as to whether the charity is indeed genuine. If the charity in question offers you “special” benefits in return for your donation, like being let off the hook for speeding or running a red light, then something is not right.

More and more states are requiring that charities be registered or licensed under them. This gives you an even better chance of checking a charity’s legitimacy. All you have to do is check with the Attorney General’s office or the Secretary of State and they will be able to answer any question you have about a charity. One more thing to keep in mind is that some donations are not considered tax deductible as the recipient organization may be tax exempt.

The best way to spread the message about your non-profit organization is to put out a newsletter. However, do not rush and end up putting out a really bad one.

Keep in mind that when you send out a newsletter, it will represent your organization. So it needs to look great and have no mistakes at all. It can be an inexpensive newsletter that contains material printed on either side or a pricey, glossy six pager. It all depends on your budget. It would help to speak to a known printer and work out a deal in exchange for free publicity. With regards to writing, look around your office, there might be someone who writes really well and will be able to help out.

What do you put in your newsletter?

Pictures should make up a larger percentage of your newsletter. Not only will they make the newsletter look great, it is also a great way of showing donors how their money was spent, encouraging them to invest in your organization more. Ensure that you get great pictures at all charity events hosted by you.

Use your newsletter as a vehicle to convey your organization’s core activities and values. If your newsletter is well presented, it will be great for bringing in new donors and even securing the ones you have.

“This Month…”

You can use your newsletter to publicize upcoming events. Even a section that mimics the regular classifieds is a great way to get things started. You can use it to advertise what you need from the public (old clothes, phones, etc.) or even to target donations you cannot use.

Most people have one or more mobile phones they are not using and you are probably just like one of them. These phones might be of no use to you, but, do not throw it away. Instead, consider donating it. Not only will you be helping the environment by recycling, but this could also mean helping out a charity. There are quite a few retailers, such as Staples that accept old phone donations. Direct donations are also possible via certain charity programs.

It is absolutely important that before you donate your old phone, that, you erase every single bit of private information saved on it. You also need to ensure that your service has been disconnected.

An example of a charity phone donation program is the American Red Cross Armed Forces Emergency Services Fund which racked up a grand total of $400,000 through Nextel’s ‘Donate a phone’ program. Every phone recycled through this program is equal to a $1.50 cash contribution towards the American Red Cross. Though the individual donations might seem a bit small, the cumulative figure is quite substantial.

If you already have a Sprint Nextel account, then you too can take part in the ‘Donate a phone’ program. The donation you can make by contributing a phone to a cause depends on how much you paid for the phone and the period of usage. Once you donate your old phone, Sprint Nextel sends you a tax certificate to validate your contribution. Another phone donation program by Sprint is the ‘Sprint Nextel’s Buyback’ program which involves recycling old phones.

Perhaps you are buying a new car and cannot figure out how to get rid of your old one. Here is an idea. Why not donate it to charity? It is a very generous move, and could help out a fair amount of people. Donating your car is a big move and can involve a lot of questions. Here are the most common questions answered:

What kind of car can I donate?
You can donate anything from trucks, cars, boats, motorcycles to anything. Every charity will have its own set of rules, so it would do well to find out what kind of vehicles they accept.

Can I still donate my car if it failed the emission test?
Yes, you still can. Any donation is appreciated. If it did fail the emission test, then once donated, the car can be repaired. Most organizations will come forward to bear the cost of the repairs.

What kind of documentation is needed to make a donation of my vehicle?
You need to ensure that your vehicle has a clear title. If this cannot be found, then any other official DMC paperwork is accepted. All you need to be able to prove is that you are the legal owner of the car.

Am I required to drop the vehicle off to my chosen charity?
This depends on the charity you choose to donate your vehicle to. Each charity has its own procedures with regards to the method of picking up the donated vehicle. Most organizations will volunteer to tow your vehicle. It is at this time that you are expected to hand over all related documents and the keys to the vehicle.