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St. Louisans will be opening their wallets to support local nonprofits and community efforts for Give STL Day on May 8, 2025. Better Business Bureau® (BBB®) Greater Missouri and Southern Illinois can help people make informed donations with resources like giving tips and profiles on local nonprofits.
Give STL Day is an annual effort by the St. Louis Community Foundation that has raised more than $34 million for local charitable causes over the past decade. With so many great organizations to support, donors may find themselves struggling to sift through the options.
On a giving day, or on any day they choose to donate, donors want to know that their money is being used wisely. Donors can find information on participating charities and nonprofits directly on the Give STL website. BBB also has resources for customers to evaluate charitable organizations: donors can search for Charity Reviews at BBB.org and see if a charity is BBB Accredited.
BBB evaluates charities for 20 Standards for Charity Accountability, meaning they must show a high degree of effectiveness, accountability and transparency before they can become BBB Accredited.
How do I choose where to give on Give STL Day?
- Do your research. Look for causes that are important to you and consider specific charities from there. If you’re unfamiliar with an organization, look it up on BBB.org and check for the BBB Accredited Charity Seal. Check the charity’s website or ask for specifics about its programs and finances.
How do I make sure I’m giving to a real charity, not an impostor?
- Go straight to the source. You can donate to the organization of your choice directly on the Give STL Day website and be confident your donation is secure. For the rest of the year, BBB recommends going directly to the charity’s website. Don’t click on links or call phone numbers from an email or text message that seems to be from a charity – it could be a phishing attempt.
- Look out for lookalikes. Some scammers will use similar names to impersonate a trusted charity. Double check the name of the nonprofit and their web address, email and/or phone number before giving any money.
- Pause before you pay. Charitable organizations may make an extra push for donations around events like Give STL Day, but generally, they will be happy to accept your donation at your convenience. Beware of messages that pressure you to donate immediately. If you’re not sure about donating, wait.
- Check for online security. Before making online donations, make sure that the charity’s website is secure (the web address should begin with https://) and that it has a privacy policy concerning the use of your name, email address or other data.
How do I make the biggest impact with my donation?
- Know where your money is going. Don’t assume you know what the charitable organization does based on name alone. Go to their website or call to see what services you are supporting.
- Ask before donating items. Some charities are happy to take donated clothing or other items, but for others, handling physical donations may just create more work. Instead, you may want to consider donating money or selling the item and donating the proceeds.
- Find out if your donation is tax deductible. Donations made on Give STL Day to participating organizations are deductible. For the rest of the year, speak with a tax professional or check the IRS website if you aren't sure whether your donation is tax deductible.
