OMAHA, Neb. (KMTV) — With Black Friday and Cyber Monday finished it's time for many to give back to the area community.
Giving Tuesday started as a grassroots movement in 2012 and since has raised more than $1 billion in online donations. The day is a major fund-raising day for nonprofits across the country.
"Giving Tuesday is so wonderful," said Pam Wiese, a spokesperson for the Nebraska Humane Society. "It sheds light on the needs of an organization, it lets you showcase and to tell some of your stories. Giving Tuesday is a great resource for nonprofits."
"It's about giving back to the community and we want everyone to be involved," said Candace Gregory, the president and CEO if Open Door Mission.
For the last seven years, Giving Tuesday has become a national craze but donors should be wary for lookalikes and scammers trying to take advantage of the generous spirit Americans have this time of year.
"Make sure that if you're giving that you're giving to the charity that you actually want to give to, not a lookalike or sound alike charity," said Jim Hagerty, president of the regional Better Business Bureau. The BBB recommends to watch out for pop-up donations that may show up while shopping. If you're still worried about a scam, make sure the company has 501(c)(3) status which is used for charitable donations.
"If you're not a 501(c)(3) than you're not a charity," Hagerty said. "We want you to give but we want you to give wisely."
If you're interested in donating to a charity on Giving Tuesday but don't know where to give to, nonprofits reccommend to do your due diligence.
"I want to know what I'm supporting and if they're fiscally sound," Gregory said.
"Research your organization, it's always nice to give locally. Wiese said.
If you want to see what percentage of your donation goes to the charity that you're giving to, the BBB recommends to go to give.org and check out the charitable accountability standards.
