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Tips for Giving Wisely
Finding the best uses for your charitable dollars can be challenging, especially if you are considering making a planned gift for the first time. Not only do you need to decide how much to give and to whom, there’s also the  question of what form your gift should take. Jean Vukas Roberts, director of gift planning at the St. Paul Foundation and a board member of the National Committee on Planned Giving, offers these suggestions for making the best gift for you and your family.

1) Talk with a professional advisor, such as an attorney, an accountant, or a financial planner. They can guide you to the best planned giving options, explain the intricacies of estate planning, and help you weigh the pros and cons of different choices.

2) Look where you already give. If you’ve donated over the years to a particular charity, consider making it the recipient of a planned gift. These gifts allow you to give to charity during your lifetime or after your death. Talk to the organization about its needs and intentions for your donation.

3) While you might have specific intentions for your donation, think of the big picture. It’s difficult to predict the needs of the organization and the community five, ten, and twenty years from now. Try to give the nonprofit some flexibility in spending your money.

4) Research various organizations through the Internet. Some options include GuideStar (guidestar.org), Action Without Borders (idealist.org), or the Minnesota Attorney General’s Office (ag.state.mn.us/charities). These sites allow you to evaluate forms that nonprofits must file with the IRS, tracking administrative expenditures versus funds spent on charitable causes.

5) Think about teaming up with a community foundation. They have a wealth of resources about causes and the organizations  that effectively address them. Staff can help you create innovative ways to make a big difference in the areas that matter most

6) Ask as many questions as you require. Planned giving can be confusing, overwhelming, and a bit scary. Don’t try to go it alone.