The question: Charity overload
How much is really too much?
By John O'Kane, CFRE
Senior Vice President
Coxe Curry & Associates
Part 3 of 3
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: This is the third of a three part written by John F. O'Kane, who for years has been part of the Metro Atlanta and Gwinnett scene in raising charitable dollars. The first two of this series appeared on July 23, and August 28, 2001, and can be accessed through the Archives section of Gwinnettforum.com.)

SEPT. 28, 2001 - - The tragic events surrounding September 11th have led to an unprecedented outpouring of support from individuals in the U.S. and around the world. This support has come in the form of prayers, donated blood, volunteers and money - lots of money. So much of an outpouring that it has raised the question in some circles "Is it too much, might it be wasteful and might it impact the many other charities that toil on an ongoing basis"

My response is "Let it be and pass the plate." Voluntary contributions should be a free, joy-filled and thankful response to a need. The USA has always been very generous, yet the average American gives only about two per cent of their reported IRS income to charity. There is plenty of room for philanthropic growth. Donors must make baby steps and walk before they learn to run. Philanthropic muscle toned in this crisis, hopefully will be strengthened for future giving.

Still some precautions are in order. May I suggest four:

1. Search your heart for what kind of giving is meaningful to you and respond accordingly. For instance, you may be more concerned about the long-term effects and wish to contribute to a scholarship fund for children of victims. Or you may wish to give to organizations that will provide spiritual support.

2. Seek reputable organizations to whom to make your gifts. This can include well known, established charities and existing church related organizations. Excellent lists have been included in local papers and at selected websites. Perhaps a charity you have given to before has created a special fund.

3. Be prudent in what you give but stretch to the point that you do make it a true sacrifice.

4. Promise to match what you do now in response to September 11th later in the year to another charity. Make this a new gift and to a cause or organization that is important to you. In fact, resolve to increase your overall charitable giving by one per cent this next year.

In times of crisis, goodness is often summoned from the throws of complacency. When things are going well, we often do not think enough about others. One local Electric Membership Corporation reported that only 15 per cent of their subscribers participate in something as simple as 'rounding-up' their monthly bill for charity.

What Americans are feeling now is a strong desire to reach outside themselves and to help others. This is a response that draws on our innate goodness and one that should be encouraged. It is also a response that should not be submerged when life gets back to some semblance of normality. Rather it is a response like exercise that should increase our generosity in the future.

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