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    Real police charity, bogus solicitor, don't give cash

    Tampa Bay police apprehended two bogus solicitors using the name of a recognized police charity. The couple had also been active in Orlando, and when apprehended were headed to Louisiana.

    While the report doesn’t mention it, I’m guessing they looked for cash donations. If a donor wrote a check to the police charity, the scammers would [...]

    U.S. giving drops again, individuals still top givers

    Giving declined in 2009 for the second consecutive year, according to Giving USA Foundation’s just published 2010 annual report on giving in the U.S.

    While total giving showed the steepest decline ever (Giving USA began issuing its annual reports in 1956), total giving was still an impressive $303.75 billion.

    $5 million returned — Petters Ponzi pickle

    Miami University (Ohio) has sent back $5 million received from convicted Ponzi-schemer Tom Petters. It’s a tough time for most charities, and you still have to respond to the occasional stinker donor.

    Read the Minneapolis / St. Paul News article.

    Wall Street Journal echoes our call for smarter philanthropy

    “If there ever was a time to get smarter about philanthropy, this is it. Donations are down, endowments have been decimated, and state and local governments are slashing their budgets. And the number of those who need help are rising rapidly” writes editor Lawrence Rout, describing The Wall Street Journal‘s recent special report on philanthropy.

    The [...]

    Columnist Liz Pulliam Weston highlights “Top Tips”

    Columnist Liz Pulliam Weston recently highlighted our Top Tips for Avoiding “Charity” Scammers on her popular Ask Liz Weston blog.

    Holiday scam season is starting — thanks Liz, for helping to spread the word!

    Take a look.

    Join our Serious Givers group, get a copy of Top Tips.

    Daily Breeze highlights Smarter Giving program

    In Sunday’s edition, the Daily Breeze newspaper highlighted the Smarter Giving program. I think it’s a darn good summary of what we’re trying to accomplish.

    Take a look.