Goodwill Industries

December 16, 2009

DOUBLE-CHECK BEFORE YOU DONATE
Goodwill Urges Donors to Give to Legitimate Charities

Goodwill® is reminding donors to make sure their donations of gently used clothing and household items go to benefit those who need assistance most this holiday season. They can do this by remembering to double-check before they donate.

“All too often, people want to quickly clear out the things they can no longer use, and simply drop their unwanted items at the nearest collection box,” said Patrick Michaels, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina.  “People typically assume they are making charitable donations, but that is not always the case.”

South Carolina is one of many areas nationwide in which unattended collection bins are commonplace. Although some are owned by legitimate charities, many actually benefit for-profit organizations. Many states nationwide are now requiring that organizations clearly mark these unattended boxes, but it is important for people to be sure they are making informed choices about their donations.

It’s quick and easy for individuals to double-check before they donate. First, donors can check with the state attorney general or secretary of state’s office. Second, they can check online with a charity-rating agency such as Charity Navigator or GuideStar, or with the Better Business Bureau.

Ultimately, donors want to be comfortable with the answers they get to the following questions: 

  • Will my donation be used to support a cause I believe in?
  • What percentage of the revenues generated by my donation will directly support the mission of the organization?
  • If the collection bin is owned by a for-profit organization, how will my donation help people in need?
  • Will my donation stay within the community?

“Give to charities you know and trust,” said Michaels. “Fraudulent charities often modify the names of established groups, so be sure to read carefully the name of the charity on the box before giving. And avoid donating to organizations that can’t immediately provide you with information about the causes they are asking you to support.”

Donations to Goodwill are sold in local stores or online, and the revenues fund job training programs, employment placement services and other community-based programs for people who have disabilities, lack education or job experience, or face other employment challenges, so that they can support themselves and their families. By giving to Goodwill, donors are helping people go to work.

Goodwill Industries of Upstate/Midlands South Carolina helps people with disabilities and special needs become independent citizens through education, training, and employment leading to job placement.  In the past year, Goodwill assisted 17,849 people in their quest for independence and created a potential economic impact of over $47 million through the wages of the 2,839 people placed into employment.

 

 

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