BBB Advises Donors To Check Charities Out Before Giving For Tornado Relief

Images of destruction in the path of a tornado in Oklahoma brings to mind the tragedy in Joplin two years ago. It's horrific, and families are struggling with grief and loss.

Many of us want to help, and major charitable organizations already have mobilized to provide shelter, food and other aid to victims. The Better Business Bureau advises consumers to check charities out at bbb.org before making donations. Our charity reviews can tell you whether a charity meets our 20 Standards of Charitable Accountability.

We also have tips and a video that can help consumers make the most of their donations. A few of those tips include:

1. If you are unfamiliar with an organization, don't hesitate to ask the charity for written information about its programs and finances.
2. Don't succumb to pressure to give money on the spot. A charity that can use your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow. Watch out for appeals that bring tears to your eyes, but tell you nothing about how your donation will be used.
3. Before making online donations, determine whether the charity’s website is secure and that it has a privacy policy concerning the use of your name, email address or other personal facts. (Secure sites’ addresses begin with https://.)
4. When considering support for a cause-related marketing campaign, find the answers to these questions: What portion of the purchase price will benefit the charity? What is the duration of the campaign? What is the maximum or minimum total contribution? If the information is not on the item, check the organization’s website.
5. Before donating used items, make sure they are in good shape to reuse. Donating junk puts an undue burden on the charity and does more harm than good. You may want to consider selling the item and donating the proceeds to a charity.

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