Donations to veterans and military service charities will take center stage this Memorial Day weekend. BBB’s Give.org is pleased to share the following tips to ensure contributors can donate with confidence and avoid questionable appeal circumstances.
- Do You Know the Exact Name of the Charity? Look at the charity name carefully since some veterans organizations have similar sounding names.
- What Are the Charity’s Programs? You cannot assume what the veterans organization does based on their name alone. Visit the charity’s website and view the appeal to see if it includes a clear description of the charity’s programs .
- Take Precautions on Phone Appeals. Some charity telemarketing campaigns can be expensive if not managed well, with little going to the charity. Don’t hesitate to ask for written information or visit the group’s website to find out about its programs and finances before making a giving decision.
- Were You Pressured to Give Immediately? Charities will be happy to receive your donation at your convenience. Be wary of solicitors demanding an on-the-spot giving decision.
- Ask the Charity How They Benefit From Donated Clothing or Other Items. Many veterans and military service organizations welcome donated items such as used clothing, but visit their website or call them to verify they take such donations. Also don’t hesitate to ask them how they benefit. Sometimes the charity receives only a small portion of the resale price of the item or may have a contractual arrangement to get a flat fee for every household pick-up, no matter the contents.
- Have You Vetted the Charity with Outside Sources? Access BBB charity reports on BBB’s Give.org to see if they meet the BBB Charity Standards. Also see if the charity is registered with your state government’s charity registration agency, usually a division of either the Attorney General’s office or Secretary of State’s office. About 40 U.S. states require charities to register.
- Ask if the Charity Provides Record of the Donation. A receipt on appropriate letterhead or an E-Receipt from the charity’s email can offer a second level of legitimacy and will record your donation for tax purposes.
This list shows nationally-soliciting veterans and military service charities that meet all 20 of the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e., BBB Accredited Charities.) Click on the links to access reports on each group.
America’s VetDogs – The Veteran’s K-9 Corps
Armed Services YMCA of the USA
Boulder Crest Retreat Foundation
Children of Fallen Patriots Foundation
Coalition to Salute America’s Heroes Foundation
Corporate America Supports You
Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation
Military Spouse Corporate Career Network
National Military Family Association
