Washington County Weekend Post

3 - 1 - 1 5 • W a s h i n g t o n C o u n t y P o s t R e t a i l • 3 Charities need financial donations to survive, and the competition to secure those donations can sometimes be fierce. Well-intentioned prospective donors may be caught in the middle of that competition, receiving solicitations from a seemingly endless array of char- ities without ever knowing how to choose the one that's most worthy of their donations. Vetting a charity is important, as donors want to know their money is being used in the best way possible. The following tips can help prospective donors find their way through the sea of charitable organization solicitations they receive this year. · Do the math. Watchdog organizations that monitor charities to ensure they are using donations to meet the goals set forth in their mission statements generally advise that charities devote a substantial percentage of their budgets to programs. For example, Charities Review Council, a Minnesota-based organization that profiles charities, rec- ommends that charities use at least 65 percent of their budgets for their pro- grams, with no more than 35 percent of the organizational budget going toward administration and fundraising costs. Other watchdog organizations set the bar even higher, but prospective donors vetting a charity can request to see the organization's tax documents (many organizations now post such filings on their websites), examining them to make sure the charity is using at least 65 percent of its budget to finance pro- grams designed to fulfill its mission statement. · Ask for proof. In addition to examin- ing financial documents, ask a charity to show proof that it's doing what it set out to do. Charities should be able to provide this information immediately. Those that can't may be struggling to meet their missions, which should be a red flag for prospective donors who want their donation dollars to go far. · Examine assets. When perusing a charity's financial documents, men and women vetting charities that file their tax returns with the United States Internal Revenue Services can look on Form 990 to determine if the charity finished the financial year with positive or negative assets. (If vetting a Canadian charity, call the charity and ask for the equivalent form.) Charities that are routinely ending years with negative assets may not be worthy of a donation, as they might be incapable of meeting their mission statement due to mismanagement or legal troubles. · Seek independent evaluations. Not every charity is forthcoming about their missions or successes and failures, espe- cially when soliciting donors. Independent evaluations may be manda- tory depending on where the charity is based, and these evaluations are often conducted by auditing firms trusted with determining the organization's financial health. If the audit is unavail- able, look for evaluations from other independent sources, such as Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org), a nonprofit organization that rates chari- ties based on a host of factors, including financial health, accountability and transparency, and results reporting. Vetting charities is important for donors who want to ensure their dona- tions go toward making a favorite chari- ty's mission statement a reality. GB14B668 TAX PREPARATION SERVICES If you would like to advertise in this section, please contact Tammie at 262-306-5022 Helpful hints to vet a charity before donating 2361 W. Washington St. Unit 2 West Bend, WI 53095 Washington & Unviserity (262) 335-0500 1471 E. Sumner St. Hartford, WI 53027 Next to Cherry Auto (262) 670-8500 242324001 Teacher Appreciation Week February 23rd-28th Free Returns for NEW Customers and 50% off for Returning Customers BLISH TAX SERVICE IRS Registered Tax Return Preparer Member of the National Association of Tax Preparers 2330 Chestnut St. • West Bend, WI 262-306-6738 • www.blishtaxservice.com The IRS does not endorse any particular individual tax return preparer. For more information on tax return preparers go to www.irs.gov A Personal Touch at Affordable Prices Reliable & Friendly Free Consultation 262-253-9955 N96 W18221 County Line Rd. Menomonee Falls www.dmaccounting.com r r s TM •Fast Service • Tax Returns/Electronic Filing • Locally Owned & Operated • Since 1990 241989001 CONCEAL CARRY CLASSES Take away the stress of spending hours with a group of strangers in order to get your Wisconsin, Utah & Florida CCW permits. One class allows you to carry in 36 states. Schedule your class ANYTIME at your home or my home location in Richfield or the location you choose. 262.305.1205 CLASSES Tuesday 6pm & Saturday 9am Call Now To Register • Basic Self Defense • Safety Storing & Carrying Firearms • Unloading & Loading Handguns • Concealed Carry Laws • Friendly Atmosphere 242958002 Tom Driggett, NRA Certified Firearms Instructor Concealed Carry Training Professionals•cctpwi@yahoo.com•Richfield, WI Open at 11am Daily ~Closed Monday~ 1726 Barton Avenue www.MariciosinBarton.com *excludes gluten-free. FREE 10" Cheese Pizza when you BUY One Large Pizza *CARRY OUT COUPON ONLY* Huge Selection of Lent Specials! Party Room Available! 242440001 Community Calendar Horicon What: Beneath the Snow Winter Hike Where: Horicon Marsh Education and Visitor Center, on Highway 28, between Horicon and Mayville. When: 10 a.m. Info: Life is flourishing beneath the snow. Join a naturalist for an hour-long hike exploring the marsh and its winter creatures. Town of Saukville What: Tapping the Sugar Bush Where: Riveredge Nature Center, 4458 Highway Y. When: 1-2:30 p.m. Cost: $5 per person for nonmembers; Trail Pass and All Access Members: free. Info: Help us prepare for the sugarin' season by tap- ping the maple trees in Riveredge's sugar bush. Learn to drill the holes, tap in the spiles and hang the buckets. West Bend What: Singles 55-plus Canasta Where: Washington County Senior Center, 401 E. Washington St. (Highway 33). When: 6-10 p.m. Contact: Shirl, 262-334- 9652. Calendar continued on page 5

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