Money:

Colonel Olin Hogan, Phoenix City Coordinator of the Salvation Army, says that donating money is a good option because it is the most direct way to help to people in need. “They can use that money to buy what specifics they need at any time,” he says.

There are also a lot of different ways to give the money at convenience to the donor. One convenient way is to donate is online (www.salvationarmycares.org).

An individual can simply donate money or can designate it to a specific program listed on the Web site. The main Salvation Army programs include Project Hope, which is a homeless center, and a very successful adult rehabilitation center. “Some of these people have lost 10 to 20 years of their life due to substance abuse and they are now ready to make a change,” says Captain James Boyd, Captain Administrator of the Adult Rehabilitation Center. “It’s a great way for them to turn their life around and one person can help make that happen.”

Hogan goes on to say that donations are always down after the holidays and heavily needed in January even more so this year than last. “This is because of two things,” he says. “People who need services this year increased by 20 percent and this Christmas was down in revenue. So I’m really looking forward to more donations.”

The money is also handled safely. The Salvation Army has three audits a year:. one state audit, one from an outside firm, and an inside audit as well. Goodwill also has similar processes in collecting money. Jim Teter, President and CEO of Goodwill Industries of Central Arizona, says there are a couple ways to donate money, which include mailing a check or donating through its Web site (www.goodwillaz.org). “Donated money is handled very safely,” Teter says. “Ninety cents of every dollar goes directly to a person in need.”

Teter says an advantage to donating money is possibly receiving two tax credits. In the state of Arizona a donation should qualify for school and working poor tax credits.

The money is handled very well. Goodwill is audited annually. The organization has an audit community that is composed of independent volunteers to make sure money is being handled correctly.