For over 20 years Casey Cares Foundation has been providing uplifting activities for families living in Delaware, Florida, Maryland, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Virginia, Washington, DC and West Virginia

As the holiday season approaches and COVID-19 continues to wreak havoc on society, businesses and families, it’s challenging to know exactly what to do during the holidays to keep them special and heartwarming. And, for many nonprofits, this is the time of year when it is crucial to raise much needed funds before the end of the year to continue programs and services. On the other hand, residents, corporations and citizens want to give to a nonprofit but don’t know how to go about it.

Casey Baynes, founder and executive director of Casey Cares Foundation, knows all too well how difficult it is to keep a nonprofit running while also understanding the financial challenges that exist for individuals, companies and families alike. “Little moments and lasting memories are what we do here at Casey Cares. Our families and kiddos go through so much with treatment for critical illnesses, that sometimes something that seems small can make a huge difference, like a pair of pajamas or a movie night. In order to keep our programs going, we rely on the charity and good will of many so it’s imperative we continue to make the ask.”

As a nonprofit leader, mom and business woman, Baynes’ experience affords her the expertise to provide some tips on where to give:

1.) Do your research. Before you give to any organization, make sure it is a legitimate non-profit organization. Check online at GuideStar or Charity Navigator, where you can discover if an organization is a legitimate charity, read through their IRS tax forms and find out if their donations are deductible. You can, and should, search for a charity's tax exempt 501(c)(3) status. The more transparent a non-profit is about its practices, the less likely it is they have something to hide.

2.) Do not give personal information over the phone. If someone contacts you at home for a donation, do not reveal your social security number, birthdate or bank information over the phone. A legitimate organization should be able to accept checks and should have a verifiable mailing address. It is always recommended that you reach out to the charity to make a gift, not the other way around.

3.) Be aware of solicitors making high-pressure pitches: You should never feel cornered about making a donation. As soon as you feel pressure, that should be a signal of trouble.

4.) Check out GoFundMe pages and websites. Plenty of people have created fundraising web pages and GoFundMe sites, but again make sure they are legitimate operations. Scam artists can be clever with their web page names and designs. Click on Give.org for a helpful guide to make sure you are donating to a legitimate organization. It’s worth the extra time.

5.) Don't be afraid to give. Just because the internet can seem like the Wild West doesn't mean there are not many wonderful organizations doing great things right in your community. As long as you take cautious steps to learn about how your money is being spent, non-profit organizations will do the heavy lifting.

About the Casey Cares Foundation:

Founded in 2000, the Casey Cares Foundation is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides little moments and lasting memories for families with critically ill children by organizing family-centric events such as tickets to sporting events, concerts and museums, group parties, vacation getaways, birthday surprises and more! We serve families in eight states and Washington, D.C. For more information, visit CaseyCares.org. Follow Casey Cares on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram for all the latest news!