As Americans continue to navigate uncertain times and economic tides, nonprofit organizations like Serving Seniors count on our supporters more than ever. Thankfully, you always come through.
Nothing is more motivating to me, our staff and our volunteers than to know our work is supported by people who believe in our mission. We know many people are tightening their budgets. It makes every donation even more precious and meaningful to us.
Giving Tuesday kicks off a vital time for us on Tuesday, Dec. 2.
Giving Tuesday is a global generosity movement that encourages charitable giving around the world. It was founded in 2012 by Henry Timms at Harvard Kennedy School’s Belfer Center, which funds research and training in international security and diplomacy, environmental and resource issues.
Since then, Giving Tuesday has been embraced by organizations like Serving Seniors, becoming a global movement helping thousands of nonprofits keep their important operations going year after year.
Serving Seniors hosts one of the few in-person Giving Tuesday events in San Diego at our Gary and Mary West Senior Wellness Center. Volunteers including teams from our corporate partners will work from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. to prepare holiday food baskets and package practical gifts like blankets and mugs with customized artwork. Volunteers take drive-up donations and answer questions.
Nearly one third of all donations to nonprofits happen in December. One in four nonprofit organizations raise half of all donations for the year during the holidays. It all starts on Giving Tuesday.
Serving Seniors knows budgets are especially tight this year. We see an increased need for our services, especially for meals by older adults on fixed incomes.
Before you give to any nonprofit including Serving Seniors, invest a few minutes in checking first to be sure your contribution goes as far as possible and does as much good as possible. Follow these simple tips.
Visit the watchdog websites which study and rate nonprofit organizations. Two of the best are Charity Navigator, and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. Top nonprofits reach a 100% rating on Charity Navigator and meet the 20 Standards for charity accountability with Give.org. Any legitimate, reputable charity will encourage you to look up their ratings. Serving Seniors is rated on both websites.
Check with the Internal Revenue Service and state nonprofit registries for a nonprofit’s operating status. In the state of California, the Attorney General regulates charities. You might be shocked to learn a nonprofit doesn’t have current legal standing to take your donation.
Avoid clicking on links in social media or in emails or text messages. If the group interests you, visit its website instead and sign up for its newsletter to follow the nonprofit’s initiatives.
Never give your personal or financial information like a Social Security number, date of birth, or bank account number to anyone who contacts you asking for a donation. Instead, ask for information to be mailed to you, and follow up if it checks out.
Give using credit cards or checks which are tracked. Keep a record of all your donations and review your bank and credit card accounts frequently to make sure you aren’t charged more than you agreed to give or signed up for a monthly donation program when you didn’t mean to.
Be skeptical about crowdfunding accounts like GoFundMe or social media posts. People setting up these accounts do not have to prove they are legitimate or that the recipient’s story is true.
Nonprofit organizations are obligated to provide detailed information to interested donors. Serving Seniors makes our latest annual report and financial data available on our website. We make it easy to find and read, because we WANT our donors to read it! We’re proud of our financial responsibility and efficiency.
Reconsider giving to any nonprofit if you can’t easily find or understand this information.
There are 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States. Most of them like Serving Seniors are real people you know in your community working hard to address real needs. They work at businesses you would be proud to patronize.
Giving Tuesday unites us as individuals, businesses, and communities. It creates a sense of shared purpose among us and encourages collaboration to get the work done.
After 16 years working with Serving Seniors, I never fail to be amazed how the support we receive from the community changes someone’s life for the better in a real and meaningful way. You are making it happen for older adults who through no fault of their own find themselves in a difficult place they never imagined.
We believe that every day, every senior matters. But it seems to matter just a little bit more during the holiday season. Coming together to do good is a wonderful way to kickstart your 2025 holidays.
Melinda Forstey is president and chief executive officer of Serving Seniors.
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