Give Generously, But Be Savvy on Giving Tuesday 2024

Atlanta – The holiday season is a time to give back and express gratitude. As we recognize Giving Tuesday on December 3, 2024, Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger reminds all Georgians to give generously, but also to give wisely and responsibly.

“Over the past few years, Georgians have faced significant challenges, from the financial impacts of COVID-19 to rising inflation,” said Secretary Raffensperger. “Georgians are incredibly generous, and during this season of giving, our office is committed to helping ensure that charitable donations go to trustworthy organizations that truly serve those in need.”

Each year, the Secretary of State’s Charities Division investigates and takes enforcement actions against deceptive and fraudulent charities. It is essential for donors to verify the legitimacy of organizations to ensure their contributions are used ethically.

“It’s easy to assume that your donation is going directly to help those in need,” said Charities Division Director Noula Zaharis. “However, some organizations give only a small percentage—or none at all—to charitable causes. In the worst cases, they are outright scams.”

Tips for Safe and Wise Giving:

1. Research Charities Before Donating:
   Use reputable resources like the Better Business Bureau (BBB) Wise Giving Alliance, GuideStar, Charity Navigator, and Charity Watch to review detailed information about a charity's legitimacy, financial practices, and impact.

    

2. Be Wary of Email and Online Solicitations:
   Avoid responding to unsolicited emails or online messages claiming to be from individuals in need. These can be phishing attempts or scams. Never open attachments from unknown senders, as they may contain viruses.

    

3. Verify Tax-Deductible Status:
   If a tax deduction is important to you, ensure the charity is eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. Check the organization’s status with the IRS through its Exempt Organizations Check database. Remember that terms like “tax-exempt” or “non-profit” do not automatically mean donations are tax-deductible.

    

4. Review Financial Documents:
   Look at a nonprofit’s financial records, such as IRS Form 990, to understand how it manages its funds. Websites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator provide access to these forms, which detail the organization’s assets, liabilities, revenue sources, and expenses.

    

5. Be Cautious of Similar-Sounding Names:
   Some fraudulent organizations use names similar to well-known charities to confuse donors. Double-check the exact name and details of the organization before making a contribution.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

If you encounter questionable charitable solicitations, report them to the Secretary of State’s Charities Division by calling (470)312-2640 or emailing charities@sos.ga.gov.

This Giving Tuesday, give with confidence. Your generosity can make a meaningful difference—but only when directed toward legitimate and responsible organizations.

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Georgia is recognized as a national leader in elections. It was the first state in the country to implement the trifecta of automatic voter registration, at least 17 days of early voting (which has been called the “gold standard”), and no-excuse absentee voting. Georgia continues to set records for voter turnout and election participation, seeing the largest increase in average turnout of any other state in the 2018 midterm election and record turnout in 2020, and 2022. 2022 achieved the largest single day of in-person early voting turnout in Georgia midterm history utilizing Georgia’s secure, paper ballot voting system. Most recently, Georgia ranked #2 for Election Integrity by the Heritage Foundation, a top ranking for Voter Accessibility by the Center for Election Innovation & Research and tied for number one in Election Administration by the Bipartisan Policy Center.