In what can be construed as a sign of economic recovery, Americans were in a more giving mood in 2011 than they were in 2010. Donors forked over a collective $347 billion to charities last year, $24.2 billion more than the year before. [More]
giving
eBay Overflowing With Holiday Beggars
By 12.14.09
As if there weren’t enough ways to spend money on nothing on eBay, the holiday season has brought a wave of dubious make-my-Christmas donation solicitations, MSNBC reports. [More]
Want Your Name On A Building? Now It Costs Less
By 10.11.09
Have you always dreamed of having your name on a building to honor your philanthropy and general awesomeness, but just didn’t have the cash on hand? You may be in luck: the threshold for building or wing names at colleges, hospitals, and other nonprofits is falling as charitable giving slumps. If you have money, now may be the best time for immortality.
Holiday Scams: Research Charities Before Handing Over Your Cash
By 11.24.08
This is the time of year when scammers try to weasel nice people out of their cash by pretending to represent a charity. Don’t fall for it! When considering giving to a charity, take some time to do a little research. Here are few websites that will help you find a legit charity that will use your money for good — rather than evil. Or iPods.
5 Ways To Help Your Local Food Bank
By 11.21.07
Agonist has put together 5 ways that you can help your local food bank this Thanksgiving as they struggle against more demand and higher prices in their mission to make sure that everyone has a happy Thanksgiving.
Food Bank Shortages In NYC
By 11.19.07
The New York Times is reporting barren food banks in NYC this Thanksgiving season, so if you were planning on donating some food to the hungry, now would be a good time to do it. Don’t live in NYC? There are hungry people everywhere.
Now In Churches: ATMs!
By 8.6.07
Churches are stocking up on ATMs thanks to a new IRS rule that requires taxpayers to closely document their charitable giving. By placing an ATM in the lobby, congregants can collect a paper trail, and churches can collect tithings. It’s win-win. According to Time, the practice isn’t new:
Large urban churches have been accepting credit cards for several years, tapping into the Generation P (for Plastic) aversion to carrying cash. Pastors like to tell jokes about parishioners collecting Frequent Flier points on the way to heaven. A recent Dallas Morning News poll found that 55% of 200 local churches accept credit and/or debit cards.
Who Gives Money to the Homeless?
By 6.8.07
Blunt Money has opened up an interesting thread about giving (or not giving) to beggars. Some of the comments bring back memories:
