What help's you decide if you want to support a charity/foundation?

[melissarice22]

Hey guy's!
If you can spare a few minute's I could really use some advice? I am currently working on starting a foundation, for an illness that I have suffered from. It is so important to me and I hold it close to my heart, so I am wanting it to be as effective as possible! There's only one problem, I know nothing about starting a foundation

So my question to you is, what catches your eye when you are considering to donate or volunteer? What do you notice that makes you care about that foundation?

Again I have no idea what I'm doing, so please be brutally honest? Any suggestion's or helpful info, would be greatly appreciated!

Thanks so much!

[Ada652]

There is one that caught my attention. It is one that I saw in TV... in the Spanish tv station. It is about those children that born with Cleft palate lips (split in the upper lip).  Here is a tip for you to get some help how to start a foundation. Go to www.gvnfoundation.org or also you could go to www.charitysmith.org where you get step by step on how to do it! Good luck and please let me know how are you doing. atsocaatjunodotcom.

[mgint]

depends if I have much money to donate and the reputation of charity that wants the money

[Administrator]

Keep in mind that it generally takes several years to get IRS 503(c) tax exempt status.  This means that for your first few years, donors will not be able to take a tax writeoff on their donations.  So you should have some substantial funds set aside to start the foundation so that it can survive its early years & fund programs.  Just one of the many challenges you will face

[yolandazwei1]

I research the charity and go online and check with the bbb to make sure its accurate