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My mate is getting married, but they’ve stated in their invitation cards that they’d rather have money donations to their honeymoon, instead of gifts. Isn’t this a little rude and a bit greedy…especially since they’ve already booked and paid for their honeymoon!!!

I feel if they didn’t want what people would bring, then they should just ask for nothing. What do you think?

Yes it is very rude to ask directly for money on an invitation.

Well, it’s not exactly a list, but you can find out whether a particular charity is reputable or not by checking them out on

http://www.charitywatch.org/

He doesn’t have any insurance & he is scared of what the doctor told him if he doesn’t have the sygrery would happen. Is there anyone who could help?

dont know how old your dad is. however, you can talk to billing and see if there is a prgram in the hospital to help with th med bills for those that dont hvae insurance. may also want to talk to a social worker at the hospital. they sometimes know of avenues.

if your father is older the center for the aged and other elderly services may have some help for you.

if he qualifies he may be able to get a med card thru welfare. you would have to check into it.

chip now has programs for adults too, not just kids

Is there somewhere online that is a good reference? For instance, if you donate 2 pairs of unneeded pants and sweaters to a Salvation Army or Goodwill center, how do you figure the value of them for your tax write-off? Is there a generic amount, or is it by the value of what that center sells it by? And do you need to prove how you came up with your numbers to the IRS?

Here’s a good general list:

http://www.tax-rep.com/donations.htm

When you make your donation, the receiving agency will give you a form to fill out.

i would like to donate some of my used goods… clothing, furniture, toys, books, appliances…… What charitable organizations offer pickup service?

check with the veterans organizations / some of the
churches in your area may run a thrift store for
charitable purposes and offer pick-up

I have SO many clothes that are in almost perfect condition that I don’t wear. Northern NJ/NYC area.

Try a search for consignment shops. They usually take the clothes and sell it for you. When the item sells they take a cut of the selling price and pass the rest on to you.

You can also trying selling them on eBay yourself or take it to an outlet that will sell it on eBay for you.

I’m a part of a committee putting together an event in downtown Mpls. in Sept to raise money for People Serving People, a homeless shelter downtown. I’m wondering if anyone has any ideas or any connections to help me solicit silent auction items for the event. We’re looking for some big ticket items that will bring in a good amount of money for the charity. Please let me know if you have any ideas, contacts, or would be able to help me out in any way.

Thanks!

Talk to the staff liason to your committe about getting some of their letter head or getting someone there to put your requests on letterhead. Go to local businesses (less red tape than chain stores) and request the items. You don’t necessarily have to know someone already to get them to give, especially when it’s such a worthy cause. You might also ask the charity about people and businesses that have been generous in the past, and ask if they’re willing to donate. Local Hospitals and medis, such as radio or TV stations are good places to ask, as are banks and sports teams. Also try civic groups, like business clubs, or political groups.

I have a website for an organization I am establishing. It is just a matter of time and money until it is up and running. In order to get enough money to establish non-profit status I need to ask for donations. I don’t know how to do this with tact. What is the best way? Any other ideas or suggestions that would aid me in getting my name out and making this happen are coveted. Thanks!

It’s funny that you asked because my non-profit went through something very similar. In fact, it is a year later and we still don’t have a working website up.

The best way to ask for donations is through letters, we took a list of all the contacts that we had and spent some time developing a very nice pamphlet with our goals and current projects, then at the very end (on the back page) we asked for donations. Take your time on the pamphlet, design with color and give thought to the words you are using. It makes a huge difference

Goodwill, Salvation Army

Go to East 23 Street (South side of the Street), there are several second hand stores that will take your donations.
I think there is a Goodwill and and Salvation Army on the block.

This was the first Christmas my husband I had as newlyweds. When we went over to my father-in-laws parents home on Christmas Eve for dinner. My husband asked me if I had bought a present for his grandparents, I said no because I was too busy with work; we had just sunk over $300 into an auto repair and these people literally have everything. I suggested telling them I was making a charitiable donation in their name, and do it when I got paid later in the week. My mother-in-law said that grandma "bootsy" wouldn’t accept that, she HAS to have a gift. When grandma opened the card that my mother in law gave her, like a little kid, she grabbed for the gift card enclosed first and then complained about the amount in front of everyone! My mother-in-law told grandma that my husband and I really didn’t have the money for a gift. Greed is not tolerated at all in my family. I would have gotten spanked as a young child for something like that. I do not want to associate with her because of this.
Grandma Bootsy is also a MAJOR re-gifter. She buys things at yard sales and gives them out as presents. I was raised low-income but we consider that tacky unless you KNOW that its something the person will really love.

We also only buy gifts for the people closest to us. I bought only for my in-laws, parents and a close friend.

My husband is a full-time student so I’m the only breadwinner. Its not like we have huge amounts of discretionary income anyway.
I just wanted to know if anyone would associate with her.

your question is……………?
Sounds like granny is judgeing you. Sounds like you are judgeing granny.
Agree to disagree and get over it. Your husband can’t change his family traditions any more than you can.
If grandma has to have a gift, and she is a re-gifter then give her what you can afford toward a gift card.