It’s a natural human response to want to help in a crisis–even though it’s hard for many people to ask for help. Indeed, Stanford social psychologist Xuan Zhao notes that people generally underestimate others’ willingness to help and overestimate the inconvenience it may cause. Asking for help can lead to meaningful experiences and often builds powerful human connections. That’s what philanthropy is all about.
Given how we are wired, it’s easy to understand why natural disasters, humanitarian tragedies, and other crises often prompt people to make charitable donations. It’s often tempting to give to a charity without a lot of thought, both because of the emotional pull as well as the urgency of the human need presented by the crisis. But that’s usually not wise. Here’s why:
–It’s important to make sure the charity is reputable and has a proven track record.
–It’s also important to consider that giving cash is usually the best option, even when you know the ultimate need is for food and medical supplies, for example. Cash allows charities to purchase exactly what is needed, often at a discount, and support local economies by buying from local businesses.
–You should also be cautious of high-pressure appeals that urge immediate donations without providing detailed information about what the charity is really doing.
The good news is that the community foundation is here for you! Whether you’ve established a donor-advised or other type of fund at the community foundation, contributed to an existing fund, or are considering getting involved, our team is happy to serve as a sounding board.
Our team can help you sort through the many options for giving to crisis relief to help ensure that your dollars make a difference. We’ll help protect your gift from fraud, help you maximize your tax benefits, strive to avoid duplication of relief efforts, and help your donations both meet immediate needs and fuel long-term recovery.
We look forward to hearing from you!