Choosing the Right Charity
for Your Company!
Linda Lysakowski ACFRE
One of slightly more than 100 people
to hold the Advanced Certified
Fundraising Executive designating.
She has more than thirty years’
experience in fundraising and
has written more than a dozen
books on the topic, including her
upcoming book, The New Donor, coauthored with Margaret Guellich,
CFRE and soon to be published by
CharityChannel Press.
G
one are the days when companies gave to the same old reliable charities
because “It’s the thing to do,” or “We’ve always supported this cause,” or “They
have a great reputation.”
Today’s corporate donors are looking for results, but decision makers need to feel
passion in their own hearts for the cause or the project.
I’ve given lots of advice on how to choose a charity with your head:
•
Read it’s 990 forms
•
Ask if the charity follows the Donor Bill of Rights and if it has a Code of
Ethics
•
Make sure the charity is registered in your state if required to do so
•
Ask if it has a strategic plan
•
Check to see who is on the board.
I still argue that all of these things are important, but, as a decision maker for your
company, you also need to choose with your heart.
Some of us naturally have a heart for certain organizations because we have a
personal connection with either the organization or the cause. Sometimes it is easy
to identify with a disease-related organization if that disease claimed the life of a
loved one. Or giving to your alma mater or local hospital because of the feeling of
gratitude. But how do you find out if you have the passion for an organization that
you might not have a close personal relationship with already—the kind of passion
that might motivate you to serve on the board, to volunteer, to give an annual gifts,
and eventually make this your charity of choice for the ultimate gift?
Test the charity. Test yourself.
When you read a letter from this organization does it “grab yo R'