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Sunday, December 15, 2002

By Lynda Guydon Taylor, Post-Gazette Staff Writer

People of even average economic means can make a difference in issues and causes that matter to them. But matching a charity with one's interests can be the hard part, considering the 850,000 registered with the government as nonprofits.

That's where JustGive.org comes in. It, too, is a nonprofit that connects people with charities and causes that matter the most to them. It does the screening so you don't have to. Launched two years by Kendall Webb, founder and executive director, the Oakland, Calif., based-Web site recommends about 1,000 charities that meet its criteria.

There's a lot of skepticism about charities in the media, she said. She wanted to build a platform giving donors access to up-to-date information.

Webb, who has a private-sector Internet background, thought the site would increase overall giving and help potential donors sort through the numerous charities without getting overwhelmed. The site exceeded expectations, raising nearly $2 million to date and $750,000 in the first year of operation.

It's of value to established donors by keeping track of their donations -- an asset when it comes time to pay taxes -- and to new donors who can access the guide to determine which charities they'd like to help. JustGive also has a database of the 850,000 charities registered with the government. The site also offers financial data so a donor can determine what percentage of money goes to programs vs. overhead.

On the home page, a donor can search for a specific charity among the 850,000 or search via category among the 1,000 recommended charities. JustGive uses three criteria in recommending a charity. It must have a budget of more than $100,000, be in good standing with the government and be national in scope. A charity with a smaller budget, say $25,000, could be overwhelmed if it received a sizable donation and end up wasting the money, Webb said, explaining the minimum $100,000 budget requirement.

For those lacking the financial means to give, there are other ways to help. On the home page, a donor can click on ways to give. The site recommends volunteering and donating in-kind gifts, wherein everything from sweaters to cell phones can be contributed.

During the holidays, people can suggest in lieu of gifts that a donation be made to a charity in their name. There's also a link to charities that sell Christmas cards. Instead of buying from a store, people can buy from a charity and help it instead.

As much as 30 to 40 percent of giving happens this month, Webb said. Asked about the current state of giving, she said, it ranges from stable to down. What that indicates is that the larger charities are doing fine, while the medium to small-size ones are being hurt. Put another way, if a larger charity loses a major donor, it is easier for it to replace that donation than it is for the little guys.

JustGive also serves as a partner with a variety of corporations which sponsor specific areas of the guide. Sponsorship helps pay for the cost of processing donations, Webb said. It also lets the world know that corporations are helping, too.

Lynda Guydon Taylor can be reached at ltaylor@post-gazette.com or 724-746-8813.