The Complete Idiot's Guide to Giving Back

by Elizabeth Ziemba and Elizabeth Ziemba J.D. M.P.

In The Complete Idiot's Guide? to Giving Back , readers learn to donate wisely by learning how not-for-profits work and donations are utilized, and the best ways to match their personal ideals,... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1592578942
• ISBN13: 9781592578948
• Release Date: July 2009
• Publisher: Alpha Books
• Length: 233 Pages
• Weight: 0.65 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.9" x 8.9"
• Age Range: 18 years and up
• Grade Range: Postsecondary and higher

Customer Reviews

little known gems about charitable giving

This eminently readable book is a wealth of information presented in such an organized, practical way. Whether you are mindful of finding charities to fit your ideas of social responsibility or whether you want to learn more about scams, you can find all and more in this well researched and written book. I guarantee you will find out something you didn't know before (e.g. did you know you can donate unused vacation days about to expire to help someone in crisis who ran out of paid time off?)Ms. Ziemba has also shared her own personal and meaningful planning guides and has provided numerous websites and resources for the reader to access more information.

Great Primer on Giving!

All you need to know is contained in this easy to read and follow book on charitable giving. Have you ever wondered if the charity you are giving to is worthy (and really a true non-profit charity?) - this books gives you hints on the questions to ask to assertain if it is a real charity or a scam. Did you know certain charities can help you with the valuation of donated goods? I didn't! And what other ways can you help besides writing a check? Well get this book and find out! It is well worth the few dollars and your time to read it. If you are truly interested in giving back - start by reading this book.

For Those About to Give...We Salute You

Although the title might lead you to believe that this book is a treatise on why you should be donating more, let me assure you that that's not the case. The book does cover donations (of cash, clothing, electronics, etc.), volunteering, workplace giving and trusts, but it also provides helpful tips on how to avoid charity scams (which always proliferate after a large-scale tragedy) and insight into how non-profit organizations work...and how to see if the money you're giving is being put to good use. There are also a myriad of resources that will help you make informed decisions about how you choose to give back and to whom. For example, I was unaware of the fact that both the Salvation Army and Goodwill maintained valuation guides for the items donated to their organizations. This after I'd been donating clothing for years. So for those of you who give to feed both your financial and altruistic urges, information like this can be invaluable.

If you don't know where your going, any road will get you there

Terrific book. It helped me sort through the options for charity, or "giving back," and to create a personal giving plan. As the author says so well, we (Americans) are generous to a fault, and my fault was not having a plan. It doesn't matter that my giving is relatively modest; the author described ways to "give back" even when you don't have cash to give. What matters to me a lot is that my gifts wind up benefiting those who need them. For example, Ms. Ziemba described in detail one of my annual donations to the 'State Police Patrolman's Fund.' (These guys would call me every year at the office, and every year, I would give them $50 - $100.) After reading the book, when I asked the intelligent questions she outlined, sure enough the operation is a scam! Avoiding scams alone is worth the price of the book, and the time to read it. How many others are having their generosity plundered, and how many worthwhile causes are being denied valuable resources? The author has opened my eyes, and I hope many others will also take advantage of her insights to create a personal giving plan and to follow it through. This book is well written, with a delightful, wry sense of humor, and should be required reading for everyone who wants to be certain that his / her giving is targeted and benefiting the intended recipients.