How to Volunteer

There is any number of ways to volunteer your services for a charitable cause. You can clean up litter along the streets of your neighborhood. You can serve food at a shelter. You can teach life skills such as resume writing to adults, allowing them to improve their standing in life. These examples of volunteering are just the tip of the iceberg of chances to lend your services.

New Orleans is a city with absolutely no shortage of volunteer opportunities. Inner-city schools need the help of volunteer tutors to sharpen their students’ skills. Garbage tends to build up in the streets, especially during the seemingly never-ending festival season, and municipal cleaning crews cannot pick it all up—they need help! With crime at near epidemic levels, after school programs are constantly looking for citizens to donate their time to help coordinate and run activities designed to foster a positive environment for New Orleans’ at-risk youth. As mentioned before, tutors are needed to help adults improve various life and professional skills. Homes and other buildings throughout the city are constantly in need of repair, so why not leave a visible, tangible legacy of your service through volunteering to help in the repair or construction of a home for a needy family, or the rehabilitation of a historic property? New Orleans is chock full of opportunities to volunteer, so there are hardly any excuses not to get out there and get involved this summer.

Volunteer Programs in New Orleans

If you would like to get involved in the New Orleans community, consider the volunteer programs of the Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans. VOAGNO is a well-respected organization dedicated to helping over 63,000 people per year throughout a 16-parish area. A couple of the programs offered by VOAGNO include mentor programs for at-risk youth and helping out with children in various capacities. With the long summer days comes the increased outside activity, which can be either positive or negative depending on the environment to which children and teens are exposed. By donating your time to these programs, you will both improve your own community and make yourself feel better, which is what summertime is all about, right? For more information on VOAGNO’s programs and how to volunteer, please visit www.voagno.org or call (504) 482-2130.

How to Donate to Charity through your Estate

There are several different ways to make a will bequest to a charitable organization. The most basic is the outright, also known as the specific, bequest. This type of bequest is the donation of a certain, predetermined sum of money or a particular item or items of property, such as real estate.

Another way to donate is through a residuary bequest, one in which the remainder of your estate is given to charity after all of your specific bequests have been distributed. This is perfect if you want to both donate to charity and also make sure that your immediate friends and family are taken care of in your will as well.

A third type of bequest is the contingent bequest, which is transferred to another beneficiary if the original beneficiary has deceased. This type of donation is perfect as a back up plan. Even if you’re not 100% committed to leaving some or all of your assets to charity, instead wishing to make sure that your survivors receive the fruit of your life’s work, you can name a charitable organization as a contingent beneficiary. This way, in the unfortunate event that your loved one might not be alive to receive their bequest from you, the bequest would not be put to waste, misused, or squabbled over. Instead, it would go on to benefit a good cause—not just any cause, but the cause of your choice—and thus allowing your legacy to live on.

There are all kinds of assets that can be bequeathed to charity in your will. Aside from cash assets and real estate, you can pledge stocks, mutual funds, and life insurance policies.

In addition to the fulfillment of helping those in need, your charitable bequest brings financial benefits as well. As with most charitable donations, these bequests are tax deductible. By making a will bequest, you can enjoy your assets during your lifetime and also live with the peace of mind that they will benefit others in the future.

You want to make a will bequest to charity, but aren’t sure where to start?

The Volunteers of America of Greater New Orleans would be a great organization to consider for a will bequest to charity. VOAGNO is one of the most diverse, venerable, and deeply rooted charities in the New Orleans area. Touching the lives of over 63,000 needy residents in 16 parishes, a will bequest to this organization allows your legacy to live on right in your own community, helping make the world a better place for your own family and friends. Not sure about all the legal mumbo jumbo required in distinguishing your bequest? No problem. VOAGNO offers tips and templates for crafting the statement of your bequest. For more information, visit voagno.org or call (504) 482-2130.

Why Donate your Car or Vehicle this Spring?

Just imagine your daily driver safely stashed in the garage, protected from the elements and inclement weather of springtime. When the Weather Channel is issuing warnings for storms producing baseball-sized hail, you can just stay put on the couch, knowing that your vehicle is out of harms way. If you still had your other car sitting in the garage, you’d be frantically switching out one car for the other, or maybe trying to cover your car with a tarp, or even simply sitting and crossing your fingers in hope of avoiding any serious damage. By donating your car or vehicle, you can better take advantage of your precious garage space and also avoid costly repairs to a car or vehicle that you might use once in a blue moon anyway.

Here’s another scenario: you’re trying to fix a leaking pipe under the sink, but you need your crescent wrench. You walk out into the garage, and between yourself and the toolbox is an obstacle course consisting of that old motorcycle, your son’s old dirt bike, your riding lawnmower, and your boat with a rotting tarp on top. After contorting in ways you never thought possible simply to navigate the labyrinth of vehicles, you might realize that downsizing your stock through donation might be a pretty good idea this spring.

Logistics alone aren’t the only reason to donate your car or vehicle this spring. Donating can actually be quite lucrative—in the form of tax deductions. You could be free of your unused and/or unwanted vehicle in addition to saving money come tax time. And as if that weren’t enough, by donating your car or vehicle to charity you’ll be helping out those in need. It’s a win-win situation for all involved. Just be sure to look into the validity of your donation—there are lots of scams out there, so it’s best to donate to a trusted charitable organization.

How to Donate a car or Vehicle in the New Orleans Area:

The best way to donate your car or vehicle is through the Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans. This is a respected charity with firmly planted roots in Greater New Orleans, with 88 cents on each donated dollar going back to the needy right in your very own community. They are committed to providing donors with the maximum tax deduction and will mail a receipt for your donation within 24 hours, just in time for that other marker of springtime: tax day. The only requirements for donation are the keys and the title to your vehicle. For more information, you can visit voagno.org or call (504) 525-2179.

What better way to honor a special person than by dedicating their memory to helping someone in need. A gift given in honor or in memory helps commemorate a life by taking the shape of lives of real people in need.

You want important people to live on. Giving a gift in their name is one of the greatest ways to do that.

It allows that person to continue on in the presence of a benevolent gift, going to help a struggling person, family or community.

Your gift can help relieve hunger, suffering or other terrible situations. It can bring about positive change in a life that has never seen any.

There is no better way to pay tribute than by helping others. It truly illuminates your love for that special person or people that have had an impact in your life.

There are several places to give your in honor or in memory gift. Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans is a great option to consider.

Give Your In Honor or In Memory Gift To Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans

Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans takes steps to make sure that your gift is not given without recognition. They take strides in making sure that your loved on lives on through your contribution.

All you have to do is provide an address of the honoree or a family member who you’d like to be notified. The organization will send a card to that honoree or family member notifying them that you have given a gift in honor or in memory.

Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans offers three (3) ways to make a living legacy gift.

The first is to donate your money securely online. You can e-mail the name and address of that honoree or family member who you would like to be notified of the gift.

A second method for donation is to call the Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans at (504) 482-2130.

Finally, if neither of these methods works for you, you can mail a check to the organization. Checks should be mailed to Volunteers of America, 4152 Canal St, New Orleans 70119.

With the check, provide the information of whom you would like to be notified, and include your own telephone number and e-mail address in case of questions.

Besides assisting you in your in honor or in memory gift, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans is dedicated to ensuring your gift is used to help the needy.

The organization is the affiliate of Volunteers of America national, but is locally-run, managed and governed. Your dollars will go back in to your local New Orleans community.

Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans is a non-profit service organization that helps more than 63,000 people each year. They operate throughout 16 parishes in Southeast Louisiana.

Their programs help to transform the lives of struggling citizens. Through a string of programs, they focus on helping children, families, persons with disabilities and seniors.

Their programs range in helping at-risk youth to adoption to helping homeless veterans. Your gift would go to fund a program helping people that need help.

Your in honor or in memory gift will honor the life of someone you feel should be honored. In doing so, it will help a person, family or community in need. It’s one gift that does two tremendous things.

Giving Options for making a Charitable Donation

            “I wish I could do more to help,” is something most of us have uttered when viewing one of those commercials that show hungry children, abused pets, homeless veterans, or abused senior citizens. We automatically think of giving money and how our strict budgets just don’t allow for anything to spare, but there are actually many ways to make a charitable gift that don’t involve cash. In the event of a recent death in the family, for example, you or someone close to you might find that you are left with an extra car, RV, motorcycle, or boat that you no longer need. Did you know that you can donate it to charity either online, or by fax, phone or even via mail in a couple of easy steps?

There are many different circumstances that leave people with belongings they no longer need: books, furniture, clothing, collections, and property, even life insurance can all be donated to charity! Or, for those who invest regularly, it is also possible to donate stocks and mutual funds and even receive tax breaks or benefits in exchange. A good charitable organization will be able to find a use for just about anything you wish to donate, so there’s no longer any reason to feel that you can’t donate just because you don’t have extra cash.

Donating one’s time, energy, or expertise are also some good alternatives to donating cash. There are innumerable opportunities to donate your time and energy by volunteering; or if you possess professional training such as a doctor, counselor, attorney, tailor, mechanic, teacher, or even a small business owner, you can donate your services. After the terrorist attacks of 911, for example, many professionals donated their services to the families of victims. After Hurricane Katrina there were several thousand good people who donated their time and energy to help repair and rebuild homes, schools, businesses, and churches as well as helping collection and delivery efforts. But you don’t have to wait for disaster to strike – there are likely to be programs in your area that need volunteers and services for children, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities.

No matter who or where you are, and no matter what you have or do not have, there is someone who needs your help and there is something you can donate. Instead of cringing when you see commercials or billboards for charity, hold your head up high and give yourself the gift of being able to say, “I am helping!”

Charitable Gifts made Easy and Giving Options Aplenty

Providing support and relief for southern Louisiana residents since the 1890s, Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans is everything you’re looking for in a charitable organization. They offer the maximum tax deductions available, can help you structure your donation to receive specific tax benefits, and are an Officially Recognized IRS 501 (c) (3) Charity, so all donations are secure. VOAGNO also handles the preparation and or legwork for you, so donating is usually a quick and simple process. To learn more about Volunteers of America giving options and volunteer programs in the Greater New Orleans area, visit www.voagno.org or call (504) 482-2130 start giving today!

What to Know About Donating Stocks or Mutual Funds

While volunteering is not something for everyone, there are now many more ways to give than perhaps ever before. In this day and age most people are proud to speak of their investment portfolio because it reflects a mindfulness of how to use existing capital to make more money and has become very popular among workers who want to plan for their future and/or supplement their income. If you are lucky enough to be someone who is successful at investing, consider that you can now use that skill to make a difference in your community while also enjoying the personal growth and rewards of having cared about the needs of those whom are suffering.

Additionally, donating stocks and mutual funds offers certain tax benefits that you may or may not realize. For example, if you find that you have some shares that pay low dividends or have hit their maximum value and you want to eliminate them, you can donate them without having to pay a capital gains tax. An important thing to know is that the actual shares must be donated as opposed to the proceeds from the sale of shares, as this will change the nature of the donation and affect the eligibility for tax benefits. Donations can also be structured to bring about certain tax or estate benefits, depending on what you would like to donate and the specific results you would like to see.

Knowing your own expertise is one thing, but also be sure that the charity to which you donate is set up so that you will receive the maximum tax deductions for your donation. One good way to check an organization’s legitimacy is by finding out whether they are an Officially Recognized IRS 501 (c) (3) Charity. Most charitable groups will have an easy-to-find web site and if they are officially recognized by the IRS, then this information should be advertised in a prominent spot as a selling point for newcomers.

Another important thing to look for is a charity that has made the process easy and free of complications. You should not have to interrupt your schedule for unnecessary meetings or paperwork that could be prevented by dealing with a reputable business that has experience with such transactions and will handle the legwork for you. The process should be as simple as providing your broker’s name and contact information, and the names and numbers of shares you wish to donate. Again, beware of any transaction that gets to be cumbersome or time-consuming, as this means that the group has not done their share of the work and may not be very adept at using your donation to its maximum potential.

Donating Stocks or Mutual Funds to Volunteers of America

            By donating stocks or mutual funds to Volunteers of America, you will have the comfort and satisfaction of knowing that you will receive the maximum tax deduction available, and that .88 cents of every dollar donated goes directly toward funding that helps veterans, children, families, seniors, and persons with disabilities. A quick visit to www.voagno.org or a phone call to (504) 482-2130 will show you that Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans is an Officially Recognized IRS 501 (c) (3) Charity and their experts have done all the preparation needed to guide you through your donation with a simple exchange of information. Donations can also be made by fax or mail; just use the contact information above and make a difference in someone’s life today!

Personalizing your In Memory Gift

            There are many ways to personalize your In Memory Gift, whether it is for your own living legacy or for someone dear to you whom you would like to honor. In the event that you are creating your own legacy, you can start by deciding who you would like to help. Perhaps you had a close friend who was adopted and you want to help other children who need a family or, maybe someone helped you as a child and you want to be sure that other children have the opportunity to have a mentor as well. In the event that you wish to honor someone you love or admire, the process will be similar. What made this person so special? Which qualities touched you so deeply? Choosing a recipient group is very fulfilling but you should keep in mind that this is simply a choice that is available to you and not a mandatory part of the giving process.

Whether or not you have a specific recipient group in mind, you do have to take stock of what exactly it is that you wish to donate. An In Honor Gift can be incorporated into a loved one’s funeral, for example, by asking for donations in lieu of flowers. Or, on a happier occasion, you might include the same request in birth announcements as well. We all seem to know that person or family who has everything, which makes it near impossible to select a gift on such occasions as birthdays, retirement, anniversaries, and the like. Consider starting an In Honor Campaign in which everyone can participate. The presentation of such a gift not only touches the person being honored but also has the added benefit of helping people who are truly in need of assistance in order to survive.

When planning your gift, keep in mind that the nature of an In Memory or In Honor Gift does not have to be financial. Of course monetary donations are always welcome, but consider that there are also many other choices when making a donation. A good charity should allow you to donate anything from vehicles to property, stocks or mutual funds, to life insurance or volunteer hours. Also remember that the right organization should offer an experienced professional to help cover all the options and assist you with planning and spreading the word. You should be able to structure your gift in such a way that it serves your purposes without becoming overwhelming or stressful.

In Memory and In Honor Gifts through Volunteers of America

            By making your In Memory or In Honor Gift through Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans, you will have the comfort of knowing that their capable staff will be there to guide you each step of the way. VOAGNO has been serving residents of southern Louisiana in 16 parishes for over 100 years, with programs assisting children, families, veterans, seniors, and persons with disabilities. Donations are tax deductible, easy, and secure, and an average of .88 cents of every dollar donated goes directly toward funding for their programs. To learn more about VOAGNO or to get started on your gift today, visit www.voagno or call (504) 482-2130.

Tips for Avoiding Scams When Donating a Car or other Vehicle:

When donating a car or other vehicle such as a truck, motorcycle, RV or boat, the most important thing to know is that you should never make your donation through a third party. Anyone can claim to be collecting vehicles on behalf of a reputable organization and may even go so far as to offer rewards, tax vouchers or other benefits for your donation. Reputable charities do not send representatives on foot to canvass neighborhoods for unwanted vehicles. The process of donating securely is quite simple but, it is not standard practice to utilize door-to-door solicitors!

Before donating anything at all, you should always be prepared to do some basic research on your chosen organization. Legitimate charities have web sites with lots of evidence of the work they do. You should be able to tell within a few minutes which populations are receiving the benefits of the organization, which programs they offer, where their office is located, and some easily-verifiable history of their accomplishments. Remember, a real charity seeks to promote their achievements, not hide them. Beware of an organization that isn’t boasting about their success!

Another red flag to look for is how easy or difficult it is to find out what percentage of donations collected actually goes directly to people in need. The law does not stipulate just how much of amounts collected must be given to the organization’s recipients. That means that a group who call themselves a charity can actually give as little as 1% of their donations to people in need of assistance. In order to know for certain that your gift reaches the people who need it, remember that a legitimate and reputable charity will want to advertise their good work. You should be able to discern quite easily what percentage of donations reaches their targeted populations. Also keep in mind that this information should appear in a public format and not just something their representative said or other word-of-mouth claim.

Finally, any organization accepting donations and claiming to provide charitable assistance to people in need should be officially recognized by the IRS as a 501 (c) (3) charity. Again, charities that are reputable and secure will want to advertise this information in order to assure newcomers that their work is honest. You should not have to search very hard in order to find this verification and it should be presented in a public format. Look for charities that operate locally so that you can follow up on their activities and campaigns more easily. Most cities and smaller rural areas have at least a few good charities from which to choose. If you know what to look for and how to spot any suspicious claims or lack of information, you should be able to find an organization to whom you can donate your car or other vehicle securely.

Donating a Car or Other Vehicle in the New Orleans Area:

If you live in the New Orleans area and would like to donate your car or vehicle, look no further than Volunteers of America Greater New Orleans. Donating a car can be handled in a couple of easy steps and your donation will be fully tax deductible, with the receipt being mailed within 24 hours. Whether the car or vehicle still runs or not, pickup is free of charge. Volunteers of America is also an Official IRS 501 (c) (3) Charity that gives an average of .88 cents of every dollar collected to those in need, so you never need to worry about scams. All you need is the keys and title of ownership to make your secure donation today. Visit www.voagno.org or call (504) 525-2179.

Things to Know when Donating a Car:

            As you begin your research on available options for donating a car, you will find that there are many companies from which to choose. Having a list of your own criteria is always a good idea so you know exactly what to look for in order to get the results you want or need. For example, if you need the donation to be tax deductible, then you will need to know that the recipient of the vehicle is reliable so that you aren’t faced with penalties or rejection of the deduction later on. You also want to be sure that the company to whom you donate the car is legitimate, and a good way to confirm that information is by visiting the Better Business Bureau web site as well as CharityNavigator.org. These resources will alert you of any complaints or history of wrongdoing on the part of your chosen group.

If you plan to donate to a charity, they should also have their own web site where you can verify two critical pieces of information. The first is determining whether or not the organization is an Official IRS Recognized 501 (c) (3) Charity. This status should be plainly visible in a public format (like a web site) so that you won’t have any unwelcome surprises when you submit your taxes. The second is what percentage of donated revenue actually goes to the organization’s intended recipients. The law does not stipulate a required minimum amount, so beware of charities that do not advertise this information because the actual amount could be as low as 1%. If a charitable organization is truly legitimate, they will want donors to know these two things so it should be relatively easy to find on a web site or in promotional literature.

Another essential part of choosing an organization is the convenience with which they will handle the transaction for you. There should never be any hidden fees or transportation costs to the donor, and you should also look for a group that has simplified the process. Remember, you are donating to them, so the process should be simple, quick and hassle-free. Will they take care of picking up the car? Do you have to be physically present at the time? What will you need to provide? When will you receive the receipt? These are all important questions to ask before you agree to go through with the transaction.

To Donate a Car Online or by Phone, Fax or Mail:

            Donating a car can be as quick and easy as two simple steps that require only minutes of your time. Volunteers of America accepts all cars, trucks, RVs, motorcycles and boats whether they are operational or not. Pick-up is always free and receipts are usually mailed within 24 hours of the completed transfer. At www.voagno.org, you can begin the 2-step process; or email your donation. All you need are the keys and the title and VOAGNO will handle the rest! They also accept car donations by fax, phone, and mail. To donate a car by phone or fax call (504) 525-2179, or toll free at 877-721-4862. To donate a car by mail, simply call the local number above and they will provide the mailing address. Make a difference in someone’s life today!

Planned Giving: Getting Started

When it comes to charity, have you ever found yourself saying, “I wish I could help,”? Even if you are someone who never has free time, or you are not really the ‘hands on’ type, there are still ways to give, and gift planning can be a very rewarding part of your own personal legacy. Everyone wants to know that they’ve accomplished something great and to leave behind a trail of goodwill. Planned giving will give you the satisfaction of knowing that you’ve given someone who is struggling to survive a helping hand.

Once you’ve made the decision to become a donor, you’ll want to find the right charity. To begin with, you’ll want to give to an organization that has some staying power. Fly-by-night schemes are everywhere these days and it’s crucial to know what to look for in a legitimate cause. This can usually be determined with a minor amount of internet research. It’s always a good idea to start by looking at groups that are local because it will allow you to follow up more closely on their activities, but it will also give you the chance to ensure that your donation will go toward helping your neighbors and community. Be sure to look for an agency that is an Official IRS Recognized 501 (c)(3) charity, which should be advertised fairly openly, as this will guarantee that your donation is made securely and also that you will receive the appropriate tax deductions.

Another easy way to find a legitimate organization is by looking at whether or not they openly volunteer to their donors what percentage of their intake goes directly to their recipients. You should know that the law does not require a minimum standard on this percentage in order for a business group to function as a charity. This means that a ‘charitable’ group can have all the right earmarks of legitimacy – such as swanky benefits, testimonials, web sites, etc. – and still only donate as little as 1% of their collections to the targeted population. Charities are also not obligated to offer this information to the public, so beware of any group that minimizes or ignores this important information.

You’ll also want to choose a charity group that offers different giving options, maximum tax deductions, and the right to set up the donation so that it helps a particular group of your choosing, such as veterans or children and families. You should also consider the flexibility of types of donations accepted to ensure a good fit. A good charity should allow you to donate anything from cars or other vehicles to property, artwork, or a monetary bequest. It’s important to know for sure that your chosen organization has made as easy and safe as possible for you to donate, so be sure to ask about procedures. Settling an estate is complicated enough without the added hassle of legal entanglements or petitions later on!

Make a Planned Gift to Volunteers of America

            Since the 1890s, Greater New Orleans Volunteers of America has been providing charitable services to Louisiana in 16 parishes. Volunteers of America accepts planned gifts of all types and amounts, and they will help you structure your gift so that you receive the maximum tax benefits available. Call (504) 482-2130 for more information or visit www.voagno.org and select the “Give A Gift” tab to get started, or just read some of their success stories. Gifts can be made online, by phone, fax or mail, and donations can be anything from stocks or mutual funds to a car to volunteer hours. Start your legacy today!