Charitable giving gets rewarded

Estimated charitable giving reached a record high in the United States with contributions totaling more than $248 billion, according to a Giving USA report. Individual giving represents the single largest source of donations, accounting for threequarters of the total charitable contributions made.

Though cash and checks remain the most common method of donation, the use of credit and debit cards for charitable donations is growing. This growth is spurred by the increased use of the Internet and email for solicitations and donations, a new generation of donors who have a preference for electronic payments, as well as recently passed charitable tax reforms that will soon require Americans to keep better records of their donations in order to claim them as a tax deduction.

Leveraging credit and debit cards can help simplify the process of giving and receiving charitable contributions, with benefits for both donors and recipients. Many charitable organizations, both large and small, accept payment cards as a form of payment for onetime and recurring donations.

For donors, this presents the opportunity to:

+Give more generously over time and with a greater view of total charitable contributions.

+Plan charitable giving by arranging recurring donations with the charitable organization of choice, allowing givers to determine regular intervals and contribution amounts they would like to give.

+Enjoy the added convenience of using credit and debit card statements as a record of charitable contributions throughout the year for tax deduction purposes.

+Eliminate the hassle and cost associated with writing, mailing or delivering paper checks to make contributions.

+Earn rewards such as travel points, merchandise and cash back, depending on the specific payment card program, every time a charitable donation is made.

Affinity card programs and other payment card promotions tied to charitable organizations provide an opportunity for donors to make an added impact simply by making everyday purchases.

MasterCard Worldwide is helping the March of Dimes gain donor attention and support for Prematurity Awareness Month in November. During this month, MasterCard will match donations by donors who use their MasterCard to make a contribution to the March of Dimes.

To learn more, visit www.marchofdimes.com/ mastercard.

This story is provided by North American Precis Syndicate Inc.