By vlscpa

March 2, 2009 8:31 AM | Link to this

All taxes now are 75% charitable donations, so there’s really no more money for charity, now that it’s become a federal priority. That’s change that every 501(c)(3) can believe in.

By clyde

March 2, 2009 8:49 AM | Link to this

No more money for charity or anything that doesn’t go into my house.That includes anything or anyone that I ever gave to in the past.Sorry.but priorities have changed.

By emjay

March 2, 2009 9:08 AM | Link to this

I have not changed the amount or the organizations that I support through charitable giving. I’ve always given to organizations I believe in, and the amount has always been within my means - AFTER I’ve paid the bills. I see no need to change that at this time.

By Dee

March 2, 2009 9:17 AM | Link to this

My husband and I are tithers. Although I lost my job in 2008, we are continuing to tithe and give to charitable organizations. It’s tight!!! Nevertheless, it’s worth the effort. We must remember that there are others in worst situation that ours. Trust me, I have to remind myself every time I make out the check!

By JSC

March 2, 2009 9:53 AM | Link to this

Yes, we are giving less to charities; in fact, since the election of the socialist in chief, we can’t afford to give anything to charities anymore.

You obama voters wanted socialism; you got it. But, don’t complain when people can’t afford to give to charities because every penny we gave to charities now goes to pay higher taxes. Too bad, charities. Let the HUGE government give to you now. I no longer have the money.

By ESR

March 2, 2009 9:57 AM | Link to this

I’m really lucky to have a set military pension from being an officer and in the military for 30 years and my wife is doing fine in her job so we’ve maintained our lifestyle which was always one we watched carefully, even when the economy was better. We still give to a few animal groups we hlep as we’re both big animal and dog lovers and we know how hard the rescue groups were hit when the houses started being foreclosed on. I am a little leary of some of the large feed the hungy things in the city; I suspect half those folks have real jobs and they want a gimme something for free. We do help through our church but we know where the money goes for the most part.

By Pandora

March 2, 2009 10:00 AM | Link to this

JSC: PLEASE….THE ONLY REASON WHY THIS COUNTRY AND THE WORLD IS IN ECONOMIC UPROAR IS BECAUSE OF YOUR PRECIOUS REPUBLICAN PRESIDENT BUSH!!!! SO DON’T TRY TO BLAME PRESIDENT OBAMA FOR THIS!! I’M SO SICK OF PEOPLE LIKE YOU THAT PUT SORRY BUSH INTO OFFICE AND NOW THAT HE HAS BEEN THERE FOR 8 VERY LONG AND HORRIBLE YEARS AND JACKED UP THE ECONOMY YOU WANT TO BLAME OBAMA! TELL ME THIS…TELL MY WHY HAS HE DONE MORE IN OFFICE IN LESS THAN 60 DAYS THAN BUSH DID IN 8 YEARS? YOU CAN’T!!!!

OBAMA 08!!! AND OBAMA 12’

By Pandora

March 2, 2009 10:03 AM | Link to this

I still support the same charities that I supported before. I don’t give to charities that I know nothing about. It is very important that everyone continue to give to charities of their choice.

By JSC

March 2, 2009 10:07 AM | Link to this

Pandora, Go get your meds, dear. I stand by what I said. YOU people who voted for the socialist in chief are responsible for the mess now. BTW, I am not a Republican; you don’t know my politics at all. I do believe in less government, less taxes, and personal responsibility; those are ideals that are anathema to the obama worshipers (of which you obviously are). The fact remains that an obama government will increase taxes through the roof for those of us who pay our own way; that leaves NOTHING to give to charities. That’s the truth, dear. It’s not my fault YOU can’t handle that.

By Claire

March 2, 2009 10:18 AM | Link to this

Charitable giving can be more than monetary. A lot of people prefer to give money rather than time (volunteering). I do believe the economy will affect people’s ability to donate, but hopefully those who really believe in helping others will be able to find time to volunteer somewhere if they can no longer help financially. On a personal note, I don’t think political views should factor into whether are not you feel the need to help others, and a lot of the comments here are off-point. I am a republican, but I certainly don’t think my views of our current president should keep me from donating my money or time. Nuff said!

By Please!

March 2, 2009 10:20 AM | Link to this

Of course not. Many of these charities are documented criminals and it has become a chore to seperate out the legitimate and efficient organizations. The charity management is over-paid and they often collect original artwork pieces to line the walls of their Manhattan penthouses - does this ring a bell with any of you? I’ll put a match to a hundred-dollar bill first!

By forreal

March 2, 2009 10:43 AM | Link to this

I am sure you were a huge contributor under Bush.

By laydeeliberty

March 2, 2009 10:49 AM | Link to this

Under the policies of our Marxist in Chief, I will have less money to give, and less tax incentive to donate my used clothing or goods, so I will now just sell them on ebay instead for a profit, and make my only donation a donation of blood. I know that can’t be spent on anything other than the exact purpose it is intended. I’m sure those whom I’ve helped in the past with my donations will be taken care of by the government, unless they are unfortunate enough to be considered a conservative cause. Then they’re SOL.

We can all thank the Audacity of Ignorance and all its ignorant voters for this situation.

Michael Steele - President 2012!!!

By Bubba

March 2, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this

huh?

By Trey

March 2, 2009 10:59 AM | Link to this

A good way to check charity expenses is www.charitynavigator.com. They pull 990s from the irs, so if it’s a legit charity, they are listed. Most charities are seeing a large decline in donations and a number of them will go out of business.

By John Vestal

March 2, 2009 11:09 AM | Link to this

Personally, my giving to qualified charities has remained about the same, but I don’t perceive that to be the case for all.

This is my second year as a participant in an event for The St Baldrick’s Foundation, which has raised over $50million for childrens’ cancer research in its first nine years. You can read about St Baldrick’s at their website (and donate!….look for my name under “Find a Participant”!)

All of my donors are wonderful and VERY generous, but the overall response rate this year is a bit lower compared to 2008. I think folks are simply being a bit more careful with their “discretioanry spending”, which…..for most of us….is where charitable giving falls. We all know someone who’s gone from a solid, steady income to “uh-oh”…..and we also realize nobody is immune. I see this as a valid and rational response, but it means charitable giving takes a hit.

Also, we’ve learned that the new administration and the Democratic-led Congress not only wants to raise tax rates on those they deem “wealthy”, but LOWER the rate of the charitable giving tax deduction those folks can use. After all, they don’t “need” the money……they have “enough” already, right?

Besides, the socialists know better where to spend your charitable donations. Just give them that money (thru higher taxes), and they’ll be more than happy to distribute it for you.

By MrLiberty

March 2, 2009 11:34 AM | Link to this

I am happily giving more to educational foundations that are doing everything they can to educated americans on the truth about the failed economic policies that this administration is following and the continued imperial aggression that it is persuing.

www.mises.org, www.lewrockwell.com and www.antiwar.com are all recipients. Unless americans get some read education about the economy (and I am not talking about learing from the lies being put forth by the very people in washington that caused this problem and never saw it coming), we are doomed. And once this economy collapses, unless people are smart enough to recongnize the culprits, we will never be able to get back on a sound footing to build again.

By John Vestal

March 2, 2009 11:53 AM | Link to this

trey…charitynavigator is great (i’ve used it in the past), but one caveat….since it impacts the charity I mentioned above…..

CharityNavigator waits until a 501(c)3 has FOUR years of 990’s on file with the IRS before it will include an evaluation….so there are some wonderful NEWER organizations that simply haven’t met that milestone yet.

St. Baldrick’s is in it’s 10th year, but didn’t file as an independent organization until 2005, so it’s filing it’s fourth 990 this year.

By Bat Boy

March 2, 2009 11:58 AM | Link to this

Pandora, Turn off your caps lock. No one here will read what you say when you are in all caps.

By b6542

March 2, 2009 12:01 PM | Link to this

Who cares. PRESBO can take care of it…………let’s go shoot some hoops………

By Carl

March 2, 2009 12:23 PM | Link to this

Yeah, should have just elected McCain and folded as a nation. No doubt it would be over by now had we voted in another republican to finish the job Bush started. Why do republicans hate America?

By still a giver

March 2, 2009 12:29 PM | Link to this

We’ve continuted to donate even though our money is tight. We have a baby on the way and don’t make a whole lot of money. However, I feel better about myself when I give. I know there are people who are worse off than us but still contribute. We just enjoy knowning that we may be able to help someone else in their time of need.

By Sally Flocks

March 2, 2009 1:03 PM | Link to this

Charity Navigator also omits non-profit organizations whose budgets are less than $500,000. Even small donations can make a large difference to organizations that operate on a shoestring budget. If an organization is not evaluated by Charity Navigator, don’t assume it’s not worthy of a contribution. For reports on smaller non-profits, check out guidestar.org

By K3nn3th

March 2, 2009 1:07 PM | Link to this

It’s been proven by researchers and in the real world. The more government takes control, the less people are able to do for themselves and for their neighbors.

This is the Obama/Leftist strategy: Make people more dependent on the federal government.

Question, what happened before we got the New Deal and other nonsense? Were people dying in the streets? No.

Obama looks to dismantle capitalism and the nonprofit sector. It’s big government time.

By Barb

March 2, 2009 1:15 PM | Link to this

I have given to charities over the years and continue to do so. Although, I have heard charity begins at home. I would like to give more to a deserving charity if I were able.

By ScooterB

March 2, 2009 1:21 PM | Link to this

Pandora:

What has President Obama done? Every time either he or one of his appointees or fellow a fellow Democrat gets in front of a television and makes a statement concerning the economy, my retirement account takes another hit - I don’t know how much longer I can afford his “inspirational” leadership. Obviously, the markets have a tremendous amount of confidence in his abilities to lead us out of this economic mess.

But as demonstrated by your childish and emotional rant, I’m sure you also believe that President Obama can also walk on water.

By vlscpa

March 2, 2009 1:40 PM | Link to this

Within a year these banks (GOVT) will be taking homes away from people who’ve worked until now to keep their credit good, and they’ll be turning them over to people who never had a FICO score higher than their shoe size. That’s the ultimate in charity beginning at home. That’s THE CHANGE that ACORN-lovers want.

By Mike D

March 2, 2009 1:51 PM | Link to this

Now that Obama is giving away our money for us, I don’t feel I have to make any more donations. I wish we had Bush back for 4 more years.

By Bluebird

March 2, 2009 1:52 PM | Link to this

The only charity I give to is the Humane Society. My taxes are way too high, and because of that I feel like I’m already giving to much. With the socialist’s of obumbles and pelosie in charge there will be many more entitlement programs out there. Also next year they plan to limit the tax deductions for people who give to charities. I will still give money for the animals because they can’t help themselves. The people who voted for obumbles and don’t want to work are SOL with me. I have to keep all of my money.

By Dr. Keenan

March 2, 2009 8:34 PM | Link to this

I don’t think the questions begs whether giving is a political game of tag. I think the author is questioning, in today’s time, are you still giving? As a strategic philanthorpy expert to business in Georgia and across the country, businesses bottom-line have been hit. But they are still trying to do good with the time and dollars they do have.

Giving is not Republican, Democrat or purple. It is an act of selflessness to improve lives and communities for all to live. We do what we can with what we have. That is all we are asked.