DONATING TO RESCUES AND SHELTERS
In today’s world money is budgeted very carefully for most so it’s important to know that your charitable dollars are spent carefully. Following are some questions we have received from people about making donations. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at secondchancedogrescueofiowa@gmail.com.
What is a 501(c)3 and how do I know if the rescue/shelter is one?
A 501(c)3 is simply permission from the IRS to be considered a NON PROFIT rescue/shelter. The rescue/shelter of your choice should be able to provide you with a letter from the IRS stating that they are a nonprofit. Also, if they have applied to be a nonprofit, they can deduct tax deductible donations while they wait for their answer.
What are my rights as someone donating money?
A Donor’s Bill of Rights
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
• To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
• To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
• To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
• To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
• To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
• To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
• To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
• To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
• To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
•To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to
receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Can I ask questions of the place I want to donate to?
You absolutely can ask any questions you might have. Talk to someone who is in charge of the financials of the rescue/shelter. If they refuse to talk to you and respond to your questions, be cautious.
Can I ask for financial records?
Yes, you can. The Income Statement will show you where they stand financially explaining their losses/gains. The Balance Sheet will show you what the rescue/shelter is worth at the time. Ask specifically for bank statements which will show you how much is in savings accounts.
What should the money be spent on?
It is our opinion that donations should go to the animals direct care as much as possible. That would include veterinary cares, supplies such as bedding, leashes, collars, grooming equipment, treats, toys and such. Other possible expenses are maintenance of building and equipment, marketing expenses, office supplies, cleaning supplies.
Will I be able to tell from a website whether or not this is a good choice for my donation?
You should definitely do all you can to know the rescue/shelter you choose to give to. Checking out a website is an avenue to get to know them. Make sure the information on the website is current so you don’t make your decision based on outdated information. Statistics shared can be outdated BUT there should also be current information.
What indicators might there be that money is being misused?
Lunches, dinners and such being charged to the rescue/shelter account.
Travel outside of the state that includes hotels, meals and such.
Large savings accounts that are not earmarked for something in particular such as a building, vehicle or something.
Any indicators that someone is using the rescue/shelter funds as a “retirement” fund.
When shelters/rescues have a large bank balance and continue to ask for more donations.
Requesting cash donations or checks made payable to a person rather than the organization.
Using donations for fundraisers. Fundraisers should pay for themselves.
Using donations to promote an individual rather than the animals they are caring for.
More than 25% of the resources are being spent on administrative expenses.
Are there online sites I can check to see the financials of a rescue or shelter?
National Center for Charitable Statistics at http://nccs.urban.org/
GuideStar at http://www.guidestar.org/
Should I donate to a rescue or shelter that has paid employees?
Check the tax forms for the past year and it will show you how much the employees are paid as a whole. If that number is excessive for the number of the employees, use caution.
How can I know if the shelter/rescue is really doing what it says it will do?
Look for accountability and transparency within the organization. Check the rescue/shelters activity reports. It should show how many animals come into the rescue/shelter and how many leave whether it is by adoption, transfer, a return to the owner or in death. The rescue/shelter should be posting its financial information to a public site such as its website or Facebook page.
In today’s world money is budgeted very carefully for most so it’s important to know that your charitable dollars are spent carefully. Following are some questions we have received from people about making donations. If you have further questions, feel free to contact us at secondchancedogrescueofiowa@gmail.com.
What is a 501(c)3 and how do I know if the rescue/shelter is one?
A 501(c)3 is simply permission from the IRS to be considered a NON PROFIT rescue/shelter. The rescue/shelter of your choice should be able to provide you with a letter from the IRS stating that they are a nonprofit. Also, if they have applied to be a nonprofit, they can deduct tax deductible donations while they wait for their answer.
What are my rights as someone donating money?
A Donor’s Bill of Rights
Philanthropy is based on voluntary action for the common good. It is a tradition of giving and sharing that is primary to the quality of life. To ensure that philanthropy merits the respect and trust of the general public, and that donors and prospective donors can have full confidence in the nonprofit organizations and causes they are asked to support, we declare that all donors have these rights:
• To be informed of the organization's mission, of the way the organization intends to use donated resources, and of its capacity to use donations effectively for their intended purposes.
• To be informed of the identity of those serving on the organization's governing board, and to expect the board to exercise prudent judgment in its stewardship responsibilities.
• To have access to the organization's most recent financial statements.
• To be assured their gifts will be used for the purposes for which they were given.
• To receive appropriate acknowledgement and recognition.
• To be assured that information about their donation is handled with respect and with confidentiality to the extent provided by law.
• To expect that all relationships with individuals representing organizations of interest to the donor will be professional in nature.
• To be informed whether those seeking donations are volunteers, employees of the organization or hired solicitors.
• To have the opportunity for their names to be deleted from mailing lists that an organization may intend to share.
•To feel free to ask questions when making a donation and to
receive prompt, truthful and forthright answers.
Can I ask questions of the place I want to donate to?
You absolutely can ask any questions you might have. Talk to someone who is in charge of the financials of the rescue/shelter. If they refuse to talk to you and respond to your questions, be cautious.
Can I ask for financial records?
Yes, you can. The Income Statement will show you where they stand financially explaining their losses/gains. The Balance Sheet will show you what the rescue/shelter is worth at the time. Ask specifically for bank statements which will show you how much is in savings accounts.
What should the money be spent on?
It is our opinion that donations should go to the animals direct care as much as possible. That would include veterinary cares, supplies such as bedding, leashes, collars, grooming equipment, treats, toys and such. Other possible expenses are maintenance of building and equipment, marketing expenses, office supplies, cleaning supplies.
Will I be able to tell from a website whether or not this is a good choice for my donation?
You should definitely do all you can to know the rescue/shelter you choose to give to. Checking out a website is an avenue to get to know them. Make sure the information on the website is current so you don’t make your decision based on outdated information. Statistics shared can be outdated BUT there should also be current information.
What indicators might there be that money is being misused?
Lunches, dinners and such being charged to the rescue/shelter account.
Travel outside of the state that includes hotels, meals and such.
Large savings accounts that are not earmarked for something in particular such as a building, vehicle or something.
Any indicators that someone is using the rescue/shelter funds as a “retirement” fund.
When shelters/rescues have a large bank balance and continue to ask for more donations.
Requesting cash donations or checks made payable to a person rather than the organization.
Using donations for fundraisers. Fundraisers should pay for themselves.
Using donations to promote an individual rather than the animals they are caring for.
More than 25% of the resources are being spent on administrative expenses.
Are there online sites I can check to see the financials of a rescue or shelter?
National Center for Charitable Statistics at http://nccs.urban.org/
GuideStar at http://www.guidestar.org/
Should I donate to a rescue or shelter that has paid employees?
Check the tax forms for the past year and it will show you how much the employees are paid as a whole. If that number is excessive for the number of the employees, use caution.
How can I know if the shelter/rescue is really doing what it says it will do?
Look for accountability and transparency within the organization. Check the rescue/shelters activity reports. It should show how many animals come into the rescue/shelter and how many leave whether it is by adoption, transfer, a return to the owner or in death. The rescue/shelter should be posting its financial information to a public site such as its website or Facebook page.