Smart Giving

Writing Checks to Charities? Be Smart About It.

Excerpt:

With the holiday season approaching, prime time for charitable giving is almost here. But with a moribund economy and high unemployment everywhere, the need is probably far greater than many people's capacity to give.

If your money is tight this holiday season, that doesn't mean you have to back away from the charities you support. You can learn to give smarter this year, and stretch your charitable contributions. Here are six ways you can help meet this year's greater needs without throwing your own household economy into a recession:

1. Do your research
   
2. Avoid impulse giving
   
3. Look for leverage
   
4. Work your network
   
5. Give gifts
   
6. Give your time
   

Comment: Good read. Article fleshes out the 6 points.

Additional: Give to your church first! Our company matches gifts to educational institutions (we give to Faith Baptist Bible College)