Wise Giving Wednesday: Charity Concerts in Summer

As summer officially begins in a couple of weeks, I am reminded that this is the time of year when many people attend concerts, especially outdoor or large arena events featuring a favorite singer or band. Alternatively, a community might have a music festival of some kind that includes a variety of artists. The promotions for a number of these gatherings may also promise that tickets sales will help some specified charity or cause. This certainly adds an additional motivation to attend, but we encourage music lovers to also keep the following seven tips in mind before making a purchase: 

• Visit the specified charity’s website to learn more about their activities and whether this is an organization you want to support. Watch out for event promotions that reference a cause, such as breast cancer, without indicating which charity will be helped. 

• Don’t assume that all merchandise (such as t-shirts) sold at a charity concert will help the organization, unless they are authorized to do so and specify the connection. 

• Don’t assume the entire purchase will benefit the charity, usually it’s just a portion of the normal ticket purchase price. But the volume of tickets sold can add up to big bucks for the charity. 

• Charity concert tickets that are being sold at the usual price for such events (i.e., fair market value) are not deductible as charitable gifts for federal income tax purposes. 

• Be wary of ticket scalpers. No one likes to pay inflated prices and some concert organizers prohibit this type of third-party sale. Regardless, also remember that selling a ticket at inflated prices does not mean that the designated charity will get more money. 

• Giving opportunities are not limited to concert sales. If interested in the charity, you can also go to its website directly and donated online. 

• Finally, verify charity trustworthiness by visiting Give.org to see if the organization meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability . 

Video of the Week 

As part of our Building Trust Video Series, we are pleased to provide a video featuring Debbie Rambis, Executive Director, The Compassionate Friends, a BBB Accredited Charity, that offers friendship, understanding, and hope to bereaved parents, siblings, grandparents, and other family members during the natural grieving process after a child has died.  

Recent Reports 

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit  Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Compassion International
• National Hemophilia Foundation
• Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation of the U.S. 

Finally, remember to let us know by going to  give.org/charity-inquiry if you are  interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.   

H. Art Taylor, President & CEO
BBB Wise Giving Alliance