Smart Giving this Holiday Season

How many times this month have you been asked to make a donation to the charitable causes you support? Two? Five? More than 10?

This Monday marks the final stretch of the holiday giving season and charities are out in force to ensure they meet their annual fundraising goals. But this also means that less than legitimate organizations are trying to capitalize on the same giving spirit. CBS recently ran a story about the steps to take to protect yourself when you give this season. It’s always important to be an informed giver, but extra precaution during this busy time of year is imperative.

Before you make your donation this year, take some time to investigate the organization by looking them up on a charity rating website, like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance. These services investigate and grade each charity based on their financial accountability and ethics. You should also be extra wary of phone calls asking for money; the safest way to make a donation is through the charity’s official donation page.

If you’re still looking for a good cause to get behind this year, I hope you will consider supporting the Cancer Research Institute. We were honored this year to receive Charity Navigator’s coveted 4-Star ranking, Gold Participant status on GuideStar, a top-rated 2014 charity on Great Nonprofits, and listed among the accredited charities on BBB’s Wise Giving Alliance. Above all, CRI ensures tangible impact for your donation and can proudly state that 88% of our donations go directly to our programs.

With so many appeals for donations, it’s important to be smart and do your research before handing over your information. Take some time to learn more about each organization you decide to support. If you’d like to know more about CRI, please don’t hesitate to give us a call or read through our website. And from everyone here at the Cancer Research Institute, happy holidays and smart giving!

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