Don't Be Bamboozled This Holiday Season: Give Locally

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Courtesy spcaLA

As we again come upon the busiest fund-raising season of the yearI, again urge you to know your charity and donate locally. We are a generousand empathetic people who react with our hearts when seeing the ravages of a hurricane on the news, or expensive television ads of forlorn children andinjured animals. We respond with our purses when celebrities beg for donationsand plead with viewers to join them in giving. I do too - but I worry about howoften we can be disappointed and develop charity fatigue. I fear for those whostill need the help after the compassionate tire of giving.
The combination ofgenerosity, disaster, and fame can add up to a veritable "candystore" for the unprincipled, greedy and the opportunistic as nonexistentcharities put up web sites to solicit funds, as the well-intended start theirown charities but run them poorly, and as existing charities spend their fundon public relations, television spots and the appearance of helping rather thanactually serving the needy. I am truly terrified that those who can give, willstop, believing that they are not making a difference or that they have beenbamboozled. What will happen to your spcaLA and to those vulnerable populationsthat desperately need a helping hand and a voice!
Rather than souring on giving, research the situation, ask questionsand make sure your gift is going to whom and where you so intend. For example, in the animal welfareindustry, aspca, the New York City spca is not an umbrellaorganization which funnels funds to other spcas by zip code as is the case withother real national charities like Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. spcasthroughout the country are individual legal entities and not chapters of anymother organization. Yet aspca spends tens of millions of dollars annuallyon television and other fundraising outlets which omitthat significant fact. Many consumers are duped and upset uponlearning that their donation did not help abused and unwanted animals intheir communities. By the way, to their credit, hsus, began putting suchlanguage (that they are not affiliated with local humane societies) on theirnew television spots to avoid creating a misimpression and thereby attractingmisinformed donors. I hope this is a first step in putting meaningfuldisclaimers on all of their materials.
So please, consider donating to an existing legitimate localorganization that you can visit, talk to, and just see in action. Frequently,your local charity may be providing international relief as well or isaffiliated with one who is. 
Giving locally also helps to strengthen the community in which youlive. It is especially true in these horrid economic times where thephilanthropic entities are filling gaps left by the government and the for-profitsector. If the reputable local nonprofits fail - there will be no relief.Additionally, bolstering the local charities boosts the local economy, providesjobs, resources and allows the community to thrive. Stronger communities resultin stronger cities, states and countries. Our ability to help others improveswith our own increased strength and solvency.
Charity begins athome. It is only when we stand strong that we can lift another.
For those of you in California: The Attorney General has issued a report and a warning to us to be careful about giving to charities where a lot or all of  donated funds are used to pay professional fundraisers. See the Associated Press story on this issue as well as the actual report.