Donating a car to charity

If one is donating a car to charity, one does not have to look very far to find a suitable charitable organization that will help them give back in a way that will not cut into their monthly paycheck, and perhaps give until it hurts.

There are several causes that one can choose when donating cars to charity. While some charities do this to raise funds for breast cancer, some take the money obtained from this auction to support children around the world who do not have the basic amenities that is so important for their lives.

And it doesn’t matter whether you want to donate car Minnesota or from anywhere else in the United States as these charities have set up a helpline so that one can call for assistance in getting to move the vehicle in whatever condition it is in.

It’s as simple as calling one of these numbers and informing them that you have a vehicle that you would like to donate to charity, and give them a time and place for them to come pick it up along with the title deed of the car as well.

And that’s really all you need to do!

So what are you waiting for? Pick up the phone or send your selected charity an email so that they can schedule a pickup at your convenience.

Are Business and Philanthropy A Good Match?

Truth be told, not all business owners look at money as their ultimate goal. Many have the honest intention of giving mankind a chance to live better. So how exactly do marketing goals and charitable desires go together? Enter a term called strategic philanthropy, which basically suggests combining community enhancement and involvement with business and marketing plans. Simply put, it is involving one’s business in a charitable cause. This is to say that as you give charities and build community welfare, you are also allowing your business to gain recognition and exposure as well as become more productive, profitable and competitive in the market, thereby increasing revenues in no time.

A great way to get started on strategic philanthropy is to devise a system wherein a non-profit community welfare group such as a church, school or any organization will give out your coupons whenever people purchase your product. The group is given a percentage of the sales for their cause. What’s in it for you? You get instant marketing with no work at all from your end. You can also put up a fundraiser in your business location for a group or a charity you would like to support. People will be compelled to buy your products when they are in your store, and you will be recognized for your humane efforts. If you have a large facility or store, you can offer to have reception for groups who are putting together major events.

You are automatically contributing to their cause (which of course, must be something you also support), and in turn, the charitable group gets a percentage of sales, gift certificates, or discounts on their purchases.

    Campaign for your Charity

    A charity can be a lifesaver, but it all depends on the kindness of others. Currently, charities across America are facing the same problem – Funding. The recession has hit hard in a lot of industries, but people do not realize that charities are one of the hardest hit of all. Without the help of charities many people who cannot afford medical care and other services have been left in the lurch.

    Part of the problem is the growing number of charities. Every year, an estimated one million non-profit organizations apply for 501©3 status. While all of them may have good intentions in mind, it does divide the metaphorical pie into ever so small pieces. When you consider that these days the pie isn’t really very big to start off with, you can begin to see the problem.

    The other part of the problem is that people simply do not have money that they can give away. Although big donors like Warren Buffet, Bill Gates etc., do giveaway a lot of money to charity, it is simply not enough to cover all worthy causes. If each person in the United States could give $5 a month it would solve a lot of problems.

    This is why you should get out and start campaigning for your favorite charity. Getting a few dollars out of your neighbors is not a big deal. Even in times of hardship people somehow find a way to give. So get out there and do your best, because you may be saving somebody’s life!

    Golf Tournaments for Charity

    Golf is a very popular game and holding a golf tournament to raise money for a charity is a smart thing to do. However, planning is everything and it could mean the difference of raising a few thousand dollars to a few hundred.

    1. Location – You need to scout around for a golf course that is conducive for a fundraiser tournament. Not all courses will accede to your request. Once you find a good location, book a date. But one thing you should do is ensure that no big events or holidays will impede the tournament.

    2. Food – The tournament will take all day and you must provide the competitors with food. Lunch is a must and you should also give them something at the end of the tournament. Usually the golf courses will have their preferred contacts, if not you can always opt for lunch boxes.

    3. Fee – This has to be carefully calculated. Depending on the target market, you can charge anywhere from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. Whatever the fee, keep in mind that it has to cover the cost of both meals and any promotional material you give away (caps, t-shirts, etc).

    4. Sponsors – This should not be too much of a problem. Give away each hole to a sponsor and tell them they can do as much branding as they want in that area (within the golf course’s regulations). On that basis you will have sponsors jumping to get in.

    5. Promote – Talk to the local media and get a few newspaper articles, radio spots and TV spots organized. Although you won’t get prime spaces, you will get something and that something will be free.

    Starting a Charity (Part 2 of 2)

    1. Laws – Setting up the laws that govern your charity is very important and some careful thought must be put into it. The laws must state as to how decisions are made, who is involved in making the decisions, the setup of the charity and the governing structure you choose to direct and guide the charity.

    2. Apply – Charities are viewed as corporations by the state. Seek out your state’s Secretary of State and file an application. You will have to fill out some paperwork and pay some fees as well.

    3. Get an EIN – An Employer’s Identification Number is very important to your charity. Without this you cannot hire employees and you will have lots of issues with taxes. Applying is easy and all you have to do is visit the IRS website or just give them a call and inquire about the procedure.

    4. Apply again – After you have come up with your Articles of Incorporation and got approval from the Secretary of State, you must file with the IRS for a Charitable status. This form can be found online as well on the IRS website.

    5. Hierarchy – You must setup a Board of Directors to govern the charity. In addition to this, you must also appoint a Registered Agent. This is the person who will receive all communications originating from the state with regards to your charity.
    Once all of this is done, you are good to go. Although it may seem like a lot of work, it is after all for a good cause. Setting things up right can help you help others without any hitches. It can also help you avoid unnecessary headaches later on in time.