Urban Nation

Customer Complaints Summary

Additional Complaint Information

This company is not a registered charity. That means that the money given to the company does not benefit any charitable cause, as far as we have been able to verify.  It's very important to ask in advance if the company is a 501c3 status with the IRS.  They should be able to provide proof that they are a charity and they should be able to provide proof that they give at least 60% of proceeds back to the actual charity that they collect for.  That means that 40% goes back to the overhead and operating expenses for the company. 

Is this a charity I can trust?
Look at the appeal carefully; some charities’ names sound the same. Don't be fooled by names that look impressive or that closely resemble the name of a well-known organization. Check with your appropriate state government authorities (this is usually a division of the state’s office of the attorney general) to verify the charity is registered to solicit in your state.  Also, visit the Web site of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (www.bbb.org/charity) to find out whether a national charity meets the 20 BBB charity standards that address charity governance, finances, fund raising, donor privacy, and other accountability issues. For assistance with local charity appeals, contact the BBB serving your area (www.bbb.org).

How will the charity use my donation?
Ask questions about how your donation will be used. Beware of appeals that bring tears to your eyes but tell you little about what the charity is doing about the problem it describes so well. For example, if the charity says it’s helping the homeless, do they explain how (shelter, food, medical care) and where this is taking place?

Watch out for statements such as "all proceeds will go to the charity." This can mean that only the money left after expenses, such as the cost of written materials and fund raising efforts, will go to the charity. These expenses can be high, so check carefully.

Is my donation tax deductible?
If you want to take a charitable deduction for federal income tax purposes, make sure the organization is tax exempt as a charity under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.  A charity appeal will usually include a reference to this. To verify a charity’s tax status, access an IRS database of organizations by viewing Publication 78 on the IRS website at www.irs.gov.

Can the charity actually use what I’m donating?
All charities welcome the receipt of monetary donations, but some also solicit in-kind donations such as clothing, food, and toys.  If you’re planning to donate items to a worthy cause, make sure you know the in-kind contributions your charity prefers.  For example, a food bank may prefer food items that are not perishable such as canned goods, and a toy drive may be seeking new and not used toys.

Am I feeling pressured to give?
Don't succumb to pressure to give money on the spot, either immediately over the phone via credit card or by allowing a "runner" to pick up a contribution. Take the time to research the charity fully; the charity that needs your money today will welcome it just as much tomorrow.

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