Check Before You Give

In this season of giving, the Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services encourages generous Floridians to do their homework on charitable organizations before making a donation.

The department’s free Check-A-Charity tool enables users to view a charity’s financial information and registration status. Floridians are also encouraged to watch out for scammers posing as charitable groups and to keep good records of any donations made. Always obtain and save a record of the donation or a receipt with the contribution amount.

It’s always better to give than receive. Just be sure your gift is going where you think.

– Jennifer Fennell, CoreMessage