The international community is struggling with a pervasive re­cession, high unemployment and weak markets. Mother Nature has not been kind either: We’ve experienced earthquakes in the Caribbean, tidal waves in the Pacific, hurricanes across Florida and along the gulf coast. The devastation is unthinkable and the demand for charity has never been greater.

Thoughtful donors are pausing to ask, “How can we be sure that our gifts reach the needy and achieve their purpose?” A prospec­tive donor can learn a lot by asking specific questions about mission, financial oversight and quality.

 

Mission

How long has the organization been around? What is their mission or reason for being? Do they specialize in providing the services that you wish to fund: emergency medicine, transportation, shelter?

Financial Oversight

Does the organization have a history of good stewardship? Does the charity have the govern­mental authority to conduct their work, including IRS approvals to accept tax-deductible con­tributions? It doesn’t hurt to ask about the organization’s fiscal policies and financial practices.

Quality

Does the charity have active chapters in the affected area, or teams of people on the ground directing the use of valuable resources? Does the charity have a reputation for getting the job done to the satisfaction of all concerned?

 

The Baptist health Care Foundation has been collecting philanthropic funds in support of disaster relief for more than 35-years. We support the American Hospital Association and Vol­untary Hospitals of America in their efforts to provide direct assistance to hospitals, clinics and physicians in areas hit hardest by catastrophic events.

If you want to support the people of Haiti, please send a check, made payable to Baptist Health Care Foundation, to Post Office Box 17500, Pensacola, Florida, 32522-7500. Please write “Haiti Relief” on the check.

 

Sincerely yours,

 

Jerry L. Maygarden

President 

Baptist Health Care Foundation