Haiti Needs Our Help, But Give Wisely

While relief needs are being assessed to help Haiti after a devastating earthquake, we know many people want to help by making donations. However, your Better Business Bureau warns that a number of fraudulent charities and requests for donations are very likely to emerge, just as they have after other natural disasters such as the tsunami in 2004 and Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

The public must be aware that there will be fraudulent attempts to collect money. Potential donors need to make sure their money goes to competent relief organizations - those equipped and experienced to handle the unique challenges of providing assistance.

Two excellent Web sites offering guidance are: www.whitehouse.gov and www.state.gov.

The BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance, an affiliate of the Council of Better Business Bureaus, helps the public make informed decisions about giving by providing objective evaluations of national charities. Below are a few tips from the Wise Giving Alliance on how the public can make intelligent donations and feel confident the money is going to the right place.

• Rely on expert opinion when it comes to evaluating a charity. Start with an established, reliable source when researching the authenticity of a person, organization or charity that is requesting donations. Third parties may not have fully researched the relief organizations. The public can go to www.bbb.org/charity to verify whether or not the soliciting organization is accredited by the BBB and meets the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability. The two national Web sites listed above are also very reliable resources.
• Be wary of claims that 100 percent of donations will assist relief victims. Despite an organization’s claim that all money collected will go towards providing assistance, it’s important to understand that charities have fundraising and administrative costs they must cover.
• Be cautious when giving online. Use caution when giving online, especially when responding to unknown e-mails that claim to link to a relief organization. As with many disasters and breaking news events, many Web sites and new organizations are created overnight to allegedly help victims, or perpetrate other types of fraud.
• Find out if the charity has a presence on the ground. Unless the charity already has staff on location, it may be difficult to get additional aid workers to the site of the disaster. Check to see if the organization’s Web site clearly describes what they are doing to address immediate needs.
• Find out if the charity is providing direct aid or raising money for other groups. Some charities raise money that they pass along to relief organizations. You may want to consider avoiding the middleman and giving directly to the charity itself.
• Gifts of clothing, food or other in-kind donations. In-kind donations such as food and clothing - while well intentioned - are not necessarily the quickest way to help those in need. The organization you are considering making a donation to must have the staff and infrastructure to properly distribute supplies. Ask the charity about their transportation and distribution plans. Be wary of those who are not experienced in disaster relief assistance.

The bottom line:  Haiti needs help, but do your research and give wisely.

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