Dear Editor:
At this time of year many individuals are wanting to give to various groups and help out charities. It is not always easy, for the general public to determine whether a group is established legitimately or is functioning as it was intended. According to the Illinois State Attorney General’s Office, “Because Illinoisans rely heavily on the services provided by charities, Attorney General Lisa Madigan encourages consumers to practice wise charitable giving.”
Madigan continued, “Under Illinois law, fundraisers and charitable organizations are required to register each year with the Attorney General’s Office. Potential donors may then access important information such as income, expenditures, programs, and administration before giving to the charity.”
Visit http://www.illinoisattorneygeneral.gov/charities/index.html. Go to the Illinois Attorney General’s Registered Charities on the Building Better Charities page, to view those groups in Illinois. Searching is easy. It can be done by the name of the charity, the City and State, or the FEIN.
As you give this season and in the future, make sure to keep a copy of your contributions for your own record.
Happy giving!
April Edwards-Eshelman, Executive Director of Fulton Chamber of Commerce