How to check if the money really goes to charity
Every day more and more people join charity. Some help seriously ill children, others - migrants, others - stray animals. In any case, everyone is looking for what he likes and directs his money and energy to it. Most Ukrainians have donated money to charity at least once. According to a poll conducted by the Ukrainian Forum of Philanthropists in 2017, 70% of Ukrainians participated in charity in one way or another.
But, despite the fact that this area is completely selfless and designed to help the needy, it has the other side of the coin - fraudsters. Unfortunately, not all people who pretend to be volunteers and charitable representatives are really like that, for many it is just business. That is why, donating money, you want to be sure that they really get to their destination. We will talk in detail about how to check and control it, and where better not to donate money.
Dangerous internet and street scammers
So it is not surprising that most fraudsters use the Internet to make money. By posting tearful and fabricated ads on social networks, they are sure that in any case they will win - responsibility can be avoided, and someone will transfer money for sure. It is also quite common practice for fraudsters to use real stories of people, their documents and photos, but they take the money in their pockets.
Also, very often you can run into scammers, donating money to people who walk with boxes on the street. Most charitable foundations have repeatedly explained that decent organizations do not raise money this way, but for fans of easy money - this is one of the favorite methods. From such boxes to those who needed this help will get a maximum of 5% of the funds, and often nothing at all. To be sure that the money will go to its destination, it is best to give it directly to the person who needs it, or choose a reliable fund.
However, if you still decide to donate money in the above way, it is worth remembering that those people who raise money on the street must have a notarized power of attorney, which states:
- Name of the person for whom the money is collected ;
- the required amount;
- a place where a person will collect money;
- terms of collection.
In that case, if a person collects money on behalf of a charity, he must also have a power of attorney, only from the head of the same organization.
How to choose a reliable charitable foundation
According to the State Registration Service at the beginning of 2016, more than 15,000 charitable foundations and organizations were registered in Ukraine. But not all of them function adequately and conduct honest activities. According to various estimates, only about a hundred registered charitable foundations publish complete data on their finances.
In order to donate money to a fund and be sure that it will go to its intended purpose, you need to monitor the information about this charity fund or organization.
The fact that the fund is registered with the State Registration Service does not really guarantee anything, because many do not even submit any reports, so you should pay attention directly to the activities of the fund. The more it is public, the more reports the organization provides, etc. - the more chances not to be deceived. It is clear that no one will conduct a detailed audit before donating money, but for a minimum check you can just google the name of the fund or organization, find their website and view the publications.
To make sure that your money goes to its destination:
- it is best to choose large, proven funds for charity, which openly, monthly or at least quarterly, publish their reports;
- You can transfer funds personally to a person who needs it, or his relatives. However, this option should be chosen if you are confident in this person, and not just accidentally came across a call for help on the Internet;
- do not hesitate to ask questions, ask intermediaries and foundations that collect money supporting documents, photos, contacts. For example, if you are told that a man is being treated in a hospital, you can easily make sure that there is such a patient, etc.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to be 100% insured against fraud, but there are still a lot of tools and opportunities to make sure that your money will go to charity. In any case - do not be afraid to help others and look for ways of charity that you like.
AuthorAnastasia Ishchenko
Read also: Adult charity: who helps people over 18?
SUPPORT PROJECTS AND FUNDS
But, despite the fact that this area is completely selfless and designed to help the needy, it has the other side of the coin - fraudsters. Unfortunately, not all people who pretend to be volunteers and charitable representatives are really like that, for many it is just business. That is why, donating money, you want to be sure that they really get to their destination. We will talk in detail about how to check and control it, and where better not to donate money.
Dangerous internet and street scammers
So it is not surprising that most fraudsters use the Internet to make money. By posting tearful and fabricated ads on social networks, they are sure that in any case they will win - responsibility can be avoided, and someone will transfer money for sure. It is also quite common practice for fraudsters to use real stories of people, their documents and photos, but they take the money in their pockets.
Also, very often you can run into scammers, donating money to people who walk with boxes on the street. Most charitable foundations have repeatedly explained that decent organizations do not raise money this way, but for fans of easy money - this is one of the favorite methods. From such boxes to those who needed this help will get a maximum of 5% of the funds, and often nothing at all. To be sure that the money will go to its destination, it is best to give it directly to the person who needs it, or choose a reliable fund.
However, if you still decide to donate money in the above way, it is worth remembering that those people who raise money on the street must have a notarized power of attorney, which states:
- Name of the person for whom the money is collected ;
- the required amount;
- a place where a person will collect money;
- terms of collection.
In that case, if a person collects money on behalf of a charity, he must also have a power of attorney, only from the head of the same organization.
How to choose a reliable charitable foundation According to the State Registration Service at the beginning of 2016, more than 15,000 charitable foundations and organizations were registered in Ukraine. But not all of them function adequately and conduct honest activities. According to various estimates, only about a hundred registered charitable foundations publish complete data on their finances.
In order to donate money to a fund and be sure that it will go to its intended purpose, you need to monitor the information about this charity fund or organization.
The fact that the fund is registered with the State Registration Service does not really guarantee anything, because many do not even submit any reports, so you should pay attention directly to the activities of the fund. The more it is public, the more reports the organization provides, etc. - the more chances not to be deceived. It is clear that no one will conduct a detailed audit before donating money, but for a minimum check you can just google the name of the fund or organization, find their website and view the publications.
To make sure that your money goes to its destination:
- it is best to choose large, proven funds for charity, which openly, monthly or at least quarterly, publish their reports;
- You can transfer funds personally to a person who needs it, or his relatives. However, this option should be chosen if you are confident in this person, and not just accidentally came across a call for help on the Internet;
- do not hesitate to ask questions, ask intermediaries and foundations that collect money supporting documents, photos, contacts. For example, if you are told that a man is being treated in a hospital, you can easily make sure that there is such a patient, etc.
Unfortunately, it is impossible to be 100% insured against fraud, but there are still a lot of tools and opportunities to make sure that your money will go to charity. In any case - do not be afraid to help others and look for ways of charity that you like.
AuthorAnastasia Ishchenko
Read also: Adult charity: who helps people over 18?
SUPPORT PROJECTS AND FUNDS