Holiday Giving Tip No. 1: Know how to use the online Charities Search! It’s the holiday season, the peak time to get asked to donate money, and you’re not about to get swindled, right? To help you from becoming a victim of fraud or unscrupulous practices, we encourage people to check before they give. But what does that mean? And how do you do it? Here is a quick and easy 5 step process that takes a mere 2 minutes,…
The region was stunned when four Lakewood police officers were killed in a tragic shooting recently, and many are looking for ways to donate money and help out families of the victims. But before you give, the Secretary of State’s Office wants to make sure you check out a charity fully! There are plenty of unscrupulous folks who use tragedy as a chance to scam generous, good-hearted people of their cash. If you get solicited to help the Lakewood Police…
Last week, disaster hit the South Pacific and now many organizations are asking people to donate to the relief effort there. Charities Manager Rebecca Sherrell gives you some tips about how to protect your donations against scammers. Q. I want to donate to the Samoan tsunami victims – but I’ve heard some charities claiming to help are actually scams. How do I know what is legitimate and what is bogus? Good for you for wanting to help those in need! A…
Rebecca Sherrell, Charities Manager for the agency’s Charities Program, explains a recent nationwide sweep against fraudulent fundraisers and gives you tips on how to protect your pocketbook. Q). This week, the Secretary of State is joining other states in a nationwide crackdown against fraudulent charitable solicitors who claim to help police, firefighters and veteran. So does this mean I shouldn’t donate to badge fundraisers? A). No, that is not our message at all. We want the public to be informed before…
If you’ve formed a non-profit, you may be thinking: now what? Figuring out how to stay in compliance with the law and keeping paperwork up-to-date can be tricky. So what’s a new non-profit to do? Might I suggest taking a peek at our Corporations & Charities Division and its free ongoing series that goes over all the nuts and bolts of being a non-profit? This Thursday, our February session will be held in Port Orchard at the Givens Community Center…