Giving Season

" To be right because you asked -- the rough economy hitting a lot of people hard our friend dawn from Connecticut writes. Is there any information on how badly charities and nonprofits are being hit in this economy. Great questions such -- during the holiday season coming up Ken Berger presidency of charity navigator here to answer that Kim good morning to you. Good morning how tough is it."

" It's very tough we are calling -- a real hard show we're seeing food banks shelters. Programs that help people who are unemployed they're seeing an incredible rising demand well at the same time they're getting cuts from government from foundations. And the critical factor here is going to be individuals like the efforts to ask the question the real question at this point is. When those charities opened up the checks that come in between now and the end of the year how's that going to play out because as much as half. Of all giving to charities by individuals. Happens during this period of time."

" Then there will be a significant impact on the communities that rely on those charities and those organizations here what I -- I found a surprising though. Historically charitable giving -- recession proof they said. Let's say historically the foundation giving a non profits increased. During four of five US recessionary periods dating back -- 1980. Yeah I."

" Think that there are certain. Parts of the giving population that might rise but overall. This statistics that I have been that we've looked at show that. When you adjust for inflation actually the numbers do go down and this is a very unique period we're in right now the senator saying it's not recession -- no it's not it's not well two things -- want to point out if you're -- get -- before the end of -- get that tax that -- absolutely lot of people looking for that and what and when you when you're deciding on a charity. Look at the administration costs yes and if the more than 25%. That I think the advice -- stay away. Yeah I mean we really that's thats really the core of what we look at for people you really at a time like this it's critical to support those charities that you know well. That have a real track record that have been weren't around for awhile and that are financially strong because. Although we expected a lot of charities are going to actually close or at least close programs and see a lot of layoffs he wanted. Go for those charities you know that you trust."

" Make a great point yeah thank you can for government today at my holiday convert this here in New York speaking of a great organization. -- times square last night the eighteenth annual candlelight vigil for. Covenant house -- of New York Kevin house is the largest privately funded agency. In the US that helps homeless kids operates in twenty when US cities Canada and throughout Latin America. Get this should help 78000. Homeless use this past year alone. And in the Spirit of helping others this group does great work hats off to them last night times square the site there. Got a question what answer could pose that email the form of a question only need one line. -- so that's on your mind Hemmer Fox's dot com only really want want to try to read his -- when a song we'll get through --"