Print out this list of questions, organized by the 5-step categories, as a worksheet to help you get started on your own charitable-giving plan.

STEP 1: TO GIVE OR NOT TO GIVE?

• Why do I want to make charitable donations?
• Is it important to me to contribute to my community?
• Do I feel indebted to any special organization?
• Should I support organizations that directly benefit me?
• Am I willing to support organizations that do not benefit me?
• How does my spouse answer these same questions?

STEP 2: HOW MUCH TO GIVE?

• Before I estimate what I can give to charity, have I met my family's needs for living expenses, insurance, education, and retirement?
• Do I have an annual family budget?
• How much can I spend on charitable giving without financially risking my savings?
• How does my current level of giving measure up to the average estimated affordable contribution for my income group?

STEP 3: HOW SHOULD YOU GIVE?

• Should I consult a financial advisor about planned giving?
• Do I have a will?
• Does my will include bequests for organizations that are important to me or from which I have benefited?
• Have I considered how a gift of appreciated stock might provide greater benefits to me and to the organization to which I donate it?
• What criteria will I use to decide if the money I contribute is well spent?
• How will I know if my criteria are met?
• How much time can I dedicate to follow-up and evaluation of my charitable contributions?
• Do I want recognition for this gift or would I prefer to remain anonymous?

STEP 4: WHERE SHOULD YOU GIVE?

• Is the person asking for my donation a volunteer - or a paid fund-raiser?
• How will my contribution be used?
• How much of the nonprofit organization's budget is used for programs that fulfill the organization's mission?
• How much of the nonprofit organization's budget is used for fund-raising and administrative overhead?
• Does this organization have tax-exempt status from the IRS?
• Could my money be more effective elsewhere?
• What are the three categories most important to me for charitable giving?
• When I contribute to a national or international organization, am I overlooking a local nonprofit that addresses the same needs?

STEP 5: WHEN SHOULD YOU GIVE?

• When is the best time of year for me to give?
• Do I want to respond to pleas for donations during crisis?
• If so, do I want to set aside an amount for crisis responses?
• Do I want to set criteria for crisis responses?
• Is it important for me to leave a legacy?

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