The season of giving

The holidays season is the season of giving. There are countless deserving charities, whether world-wide, nationally or locally that deserve our attention.

People can be generous, especially at this time of year, and the charities know this. Just look at your mailbox these days. There are many letters soliciting donations, tugging at your heartstrings and hoping that you will give generously.

And there is nothing wrong with giving. In fact, it is one of the strenngths of this nation. We are a generous people. However, sometimes we can be taken advantage of.

Many of these charities spend a great deal to try to earn your trust and get you to donate. Before you do, you need to check them out. Make sure it is a reputable charity. Some organizations spend only a small percentage of the money they bring in for charitable purposes, while the bulk of it goes to administrative salaries, expenses and more fundraising. Some charities may be deceptive, using a name similar to a reputable charity.

How to check if a charity is reputable? The Charity Review Council (www.smartgivers,org) can give you the infomration you need. The Minnesota Attorney General’s Office also keeps track of charities soliciting money in Minnesota.

One more way to make sure? Keep your giving local. Donate to causes in your community that you know will benefit those in need.