Happy New Year

Now is the time to form philanthropic goals for 2009.

1. First, determine what causes are most important to you. 
2. Next, develop a list of charities engaged in that type of work. 
3. Then, using Charity Navigator’s free website, narrow that list to just a few that are financially healthy and have a donor privacy policy. 
4. Finally, map out a plan and budget for the year and let the organization know your intentions. Knowing your plan helps the charity keep its fundraising expenses at a minimum while focusing on the programs you intended to support in the first place.