giving season local charities:
seattlefoundation.org hopelink.org unitedway.org voaww.org (Volunteers of America) teenfeed.org ugm.org (Union Gospel Mission) marchofdimes.com/washington nokidhungry.org marysplaceseattle.org seattlechildrens.org farestart.org jwcenter.org (Jubilee Women’s Center) firstplaceschool.org breadoflifemission.org northwestharvest.org nourishpc.org foodlifeline.org emergencyfeeding.org homelessshelterdirectory.org pugetsoundlaboragency.org pugetsoundpetfoodbank.org snohomishfoodbank.org
proceed with
caution
Here are a few tips to ensure you’re dealing with reputable organizations. Proceed with the utmost caution if an organization does any of the following: 1. Refuses to provide detailed information about its identity, mission, costs, and how the donation will be used. 2. Won't provide proof that a contribution is tax deductible. 3. Uses a name that closely resembles that of a better-known, reputable organization. 4. Thanks you for a pledge you don’t remember making. 5. Uses high-pressure tactics like trying to get you to donate immediately, without giving you time to think about it and do your research. 6. Asks for donations in cash or asks you to wire money. 7. Offers to send a courier or overnight delivery service to collect the donation immediately.
research charities: www.sos.wa.gov/charities (Washington) charitynavigator.org charitywatch.org greatnonprofits.org guidestar.org consumer.ftc.gov apps.irs.gov/app/eos (IRS) give.org nasconet.org
8. Guarantees sweepstakes winnings in exchange for a contribution. By law, you never have to give a donation to be eligible to win a sweepstakes. Source: ftc.gov/charityfraud