Robert Fischer on How to be a Savvy Donor in Plain Dealer

Dr Robert Fischer, Co-Director of the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development, has advice on the best methods for donating to charitable organizations, as he told the Cleveland Plain Dealer in "Become a savvy donor: Here's how" on August 8, 2014.

"People should be proactive and do their homework before they give," advised Dr. Fischer. There are many possible causes to donate to and many possible agencies for those choices. Because most people cannot afford to give to every charity in need, Fischer encourages potential donors to do their research and make educated decisions.

In addition to financial contributions, Fischer also encouraged donors to also give their time as volunteers and participants. "Donating your time is extremely valuable to nonprofits as it expands their capacity to reach their audience and do good. The estimated value of an hour of volunteer time is $22.55 according to the nonprofit coalition Independent Sector."

The Plain Dealer article also encouraged purchasing items from nonprofits. The example organization used, Greens Corps at Cleveland Botanical Garden, is one of the programs currently being evaluated by the Center on Urban Poverty and Community Development. The Center's evaluation of Greens Corps over the last several years has demonstrated the program's value in its contributing to participants' knowledge and dissemination of information about healthy eating, gardening, and environmental issues as w