Dr. Lori Gore-Green discusses what all donors should know and do before signing over a check to charity.

1. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW BEFORE
DONATING TO CHARITY
Dr. Lori Gore-Green | May 2019

2. Charitable donations can be a great way to
help people and organizations in need.
However, prior to making such
contributions, there are certain issues
individuals should take into consideration.
This brief presentation highlights what
some of these concerns should be.
Dr. Lori Gore-Green

3. EXECUTE DUE
DILIGENCE
Before signing a check made out to a specific
organization, financial experts and business ethics
professionals recommend conducting extensive
research on said entities. Individuals are advised to
discover if the business in question is registered as
charitable organization, has experienced any consumer
complaints and can clearly demonstrate the programs
and services financed by financial donations.
Dr. Lori Gore-Green

4. DOES THE CHARITY HAVE FREQUENT OR
REGULAR DONORS?
Many respected charities will draw the attention of
numerous donors, as well as some individuals who will
make said contributions on a regular basis. Prior to
donating to any organization, donors are encouraged to
conduct research regarding if said agency can produce
a list of regular contributors.
TRUST ANY GUT FEELINGS
It might be an old cliché, but the words if it does not
feel right, it probably does not ring true. Should a
prospective donor feel uneasy about any of the
organization’s practices, said individual should
probably trust any negative instincts and donate their
hard earned money elsewhere.

5. WHAT IS THE
AGENCY’S DEFINED
MISSION?
Most reputable charitable organizations adhere to a
specific mission, which is an established set of goals said
entity aims to meet. These goals are often written in what
is known as a mission statement. Said statement is one or
two paragraph declaration describing who the
organization is, what said entity strives to accomplish, why
the charity in question is important to them and how
interested parties could help the organization complete
said mission. A mission statement should appear on the
organization’s website or be found in any promotional
literature submitted to prospective donors.

6. FIND OUT WHAT MAJOR
BUSINESS AND GOVERNMENT
REGULATORS ARE SAYING
In most instances, well-known, reputable charities
will be recognized and receive positive reviews from
major business watchdog agencies and state
monitoring entities. Groups such as the Better
Business Bureau and various state agencies should
know who a said charity is and offer a review of said
agency’s activities. Suspicions could be raised if any
of the preceding watchdog groups have no
knowledge of the charity or offer poor reviews of said
entity’s practices.

7. THANKS FOR READING
Dr. Lori Gore-Green
DrLoriGoreGreen.net