Remember the story of the widow who donated her wedding rings to the Salvation Army? One good turn deserves another, as another anonymous donor is stepping up to buy the rings for $21,000 — so she can return them to their generous owner. [More]
donations
Terrible Person Steals Jar Of Donations For The Jimmy Fund
By 6.17.14
Stealing a tip jar is pretty low, but do you know what’s even lower? Stealing a donation jar. Possibly even lower than that is stealing a donation jar for children. Children with cancer. Yet someone in Massachusetts did just that, stealing a jar of donations for the Jimmy Fund from a bar. [More]
A Friendly Reminder: Check Furniture For Cats Before Donating It To Charity
By 4.3.14
It is a very good thing to donate to the charity of your choice. But unless that charity is looking for a furry friend, it’s best to check all donated items for the presence of your cat, especially if he has an affinity for hiding in places like say, that old couch you don’t want anymore. [More]
Report: Telemarketers Pocket Nearly 2/3 Of Charity Donations
By 2.27.14
While the person who calls you to ask for a charitable donation is probably representing a non-profit organization, that telemarketer may be employed by a for-profit fundraising company hired by the charity. But just how much of what you’re giving ends up going to the charity, and how much goes to line the telemarketer’s pockets? [More]
What Happens If You Donate Your Car, Then Someone Steals It?
By 1.13.14
Let’s say that you have a clunker of a car that won’t sell for very much money, and there’s a charity you’d like to support. You hand over the car, they take care of selling it, and you get a charitable tax deduction. Seems delightfully simple…until someone steals your car off the lot where the charity was storing it until auction. [More]
How To Not Suck… At Charitable Giving
By 12.10.13
They say it’s better to give than to receive, but if you can also get a little something back when you give, what’s not to like? While there’s absolutely nothing wrong with tossing some cash to those bell-ringing Santas, there’s a better way to give. [More]
Oklahoma Tornado Survivors Need Your Help, Scammers Don’t
By 5.22.13
24 people are confirmed dead, and many are still missing after a massive tornado destroyed homes and lives outside of Oklahoma City. Don’t let yourself become an indirect victim of the natural disaster by giving money to a fake charity or social media account set up to take advantage of well-meaning and generous people who want to help. [More]
Tiny Bell-Ringing Horse Increases Salvation Army Donations Tenfold
By 12.4.12
You know what people love? Animals. If you’re looking to collect donations for charity, consider deploying a small, cute animal to attract attention and piles of cash. That’s what the Salvation Army in Wisconsin has done with Tinker the miniature horse. The bell-ringing equine attracts massive crowds, sells buttons with his photo on them, and can rake in $2,500 at a location that would normally collect $250 during a horse-free period. [More]
AutoZone Cashier Made Me Donate To Charity Against My Will
By 7.2.12
Stuart was shopping at Autozone, and stubbornly insisted on reading everything on the credit card reader screen before agreeing to it. The chain was doing a St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital fundraising push at the time, and when the screen asked whether he would like to donate a dollar, the cashier reached over and pressed “yes” for him. There was some confusion, but ultimately when Stuart complained, the store employees didn’t see why he was being so stubborn. After all, it was for charity, and only a dollar: why did he care that the store was charging him money he specifically didn’t give them permission to charge? [More]
When Disaster Strikes, Send Cash, Not Sex Toys
By 2.2.12 — Updated: 5.22.13
When we hear that fellow humans in faraway places are suffering, we want to help. Some of us write a check, sign in to PayPal, or make a donation using our phones. But there’s nothing quite as satisfying as sending tangible goods to people in need. The problem is that well-meaning people can waste resources and time on the ground in the disaster area by sending inappropriate items that will ultimately end up in the dump. [More]
Check Up On Charities Before Donating
By 11.17.11
Nonprofits rely on the spirit of giving, as well as imminent tax write-offs, to fill their coffers during the holiday season. Both worthy and less-than-reputable organizations step up their donation drives, and it can be tough to separate efficient charities from scams. [More]
Red Cross Offers Prizes In Attempt To Spark Blood Donations
By 7.13.11
Want to donate some blood to the Red Cross to help sick, possibly dying, patients? No? How about for the chance to win a trip to Disney World? Facing the lowest donor levels in more than a decade, the Red Cross is hoping drawings get people into more of a blood-giving mood. [More]
Where To Donate Your Old Heels And Video Game Consoles
By 4.7.11
So you have some stuff to get rid of around the house and you want to donate it, but you want to make sure it goes to a place where it gets the best use. Good thing the Miss Minimalist blog has a list of 101 worthy places to send your clutter to that can help out. Women’s shoes? Send them to Dress For Success, which helps low-income women get the garb they need for job interviews. Old Nintendo GameCube? How about the Get-Well Gamers Foundation which brings video games to children’s hospitals. For 99 more suggests, check out the list on Miss Minimalist. Got a charity she left off? Tout it in the comments. [More]
You Can Donate Money Toward The National Debt
By 2.17.11
Are you outraged at recently proposed federal budget cuts, and dismayed that you just aren’t contributing enough in taxes to help pay off the national debt? Good news! The Treasury Department has a program in place to donate toward the national debt. The program began in 1996, and has collected more than $406,000 so far this year. [More]
Strip Club Owner Donates Pimp Roll To School
By 1.31.11
Facing budget cuts and student-siphoning charter schools, it’s tough to blame a school district for accepting donations from anyone who’s offering. But even in this desperate climate for public education, a Florida elementary school turned heads by accepting $20,000 in donations over the last two years from a strip club owner. [More]
UConn Football Donor Demands His Millions Back Because He Didn't Get To Pick Coach
By 1.26.11
People who accept donations for colleges may want to start handing out receipts that indicate “all giving is final,” because moneybags donors are starting to ask for refunds. [More]
Haiti-Helping Nonprofits Sitting On Funds
By 1.12.11
If you cut a check to a Haiti aid group after last year’s earthquake disaster, surely you did so with lofty visions that your money would sit in a bank account, doing absolutely nothing for months on end. [More]
Man Sues College After It Rejects Son Following $40K Donation
By 1.4.11
Assuming a $40,000 donation to his alma mater would grease the wheels enough to get his son an easy acceptance letter, the donor is suing because the college left his son hanging. [More]
