This Holiday Season, Get More Efficient
b'with Eileen R. Heisman, President and CEO of National Philanthropic Trust
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Despite the bad rap Americans get internationally, we\\u2019re actually a very charitable people. But how do we improve the efficiency of our philanthropic efforts so they deliver more bang for each buck we contribute and are more fulfilling to us? We\\u2019ve also got to think strategically about the causes we support and make our giving meaningful by narrowing our giving to fewer causes and sticking with those charities for a longer term. You can also use a host of online sites to screen and vet a charity before you decide to make a donation.
Smart giving also saves taxes. For example, Americans could also use Donor Advised Funds that deliver tax advantages while allowing us to advise charities on how we want that money spent. Appreciated stocks, too, could be donated to charities, allowing us to legally forgo capital gains taxes on stocks donated. And with technology, there are multiple online \\u201cgiving\\u201d portals to make and track charitable giving online, and help carry our money further.'