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Pulling back the curtains on wage-theft enforcement in MN; Trump's latest attack is on RFK, Jr; NM LGBTQ+ equality group endorses 2024 'Rock Star' candidates; Michigan's youth justice reforms: Expanded diversion, no fees.

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Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg says rebuilding Baltimore's Key Bridge will be challenging and expensive. An Alabama Democrat flips a state legislature seat and former Connecticut senator Joe Lieberman dies at 82.

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Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Choosing the Right Charity: Hoosiers Should Look at the Big Picture

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Tuesday, December 16, 2014   

INDIANAPOLIS - While the holiday season may be a time of giving, Hoosiers are being encouraged to look more closely at the "big picture" of a charity before making a donation.

A recent study from the Better Business Bureau (BBB) found consumers consider the finances of an organization to be the most important indicator of trust.

Tim Maniscalo, president and CEO of the Better Business Bureau serving Central Indiana, says giving decisions should be approached holistically, and not focused on just one aspect of a charity.

"You want to look at the mission of that particular charity and make certain you understand what it is that they're doing," says Maniscalo. "Is it truly something you want to put your money towards? Is this a cause or something that rings true with you?"

He says donors should consider many factors when considering a charity's accountability, including finances, governance, fundraising, effectiveness reporting, and appeal accuracy.

Maniscalo says giving wisely to charitable organizations also includes ensuring you're not getting ripped off by a con artist.

"They know this is the time of year when people's hearts are a little bit more open," he says. "We do see more giving in general in December, and consequently, the people who are up to no good also know that."

He says due diligence is crucial to ensuring a donation is going where it is intended.

"Just be on the lookout for unsolicited solicitations and people coming up to you out of the blue," says Maniscalo. "A lot of times those are the people who are not the legitimate charities out there."

According to Maniscalo, other red flags include high-pressured appeals, door-to-door visits, or someone who will not provide a receipt for a donation.

Charities can be researched at the Better Business Bureau website at www.bbb.org, and also at the Give.org and Charity Navigator websites.


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