Some things must be taken into account when making donations in Germany. For many people, the Christmas holidays are also an opportunity to give something to those who are in need. For this reason, many prefer to donate money or other items during this time.
Related topic: Discounters reduce donations for food banks
However, not all institutions to which donations can be made are always trustworthy. Many dubious individuals appear on the streets, especially in the run-up to Christmas. Here are some features to pay attention to before making a donation.
1. Reputable organization
First and foremost, it should be ensured that the organization to which a donation is planned has the necessary good reputation. Only in this way can one be sure that the money will truly go where it is needed.
How to identify such an organization? Of course, one should never give money to strangers.
It's better to look for a familiar organization. If there is no certainty about what can be trusted and what cannot, you can also check the database of the Central Institute for Social Issues in Germany. It clearly indicates which organizations are trustworthy and which are not.
2. Do not donate under pressure
Especially if someone approaches at a Christmas market and asks for a donation for fundraising, one should never do this. Unfortunately, even a friendly conversation can quickly change once it becomes clear that the person does not want to make a donation.
In particular, threats or other intimidating statements should be considered as warning signs of a questionable organization. This should be taken into account when making donations in Germany.
3. Be cautious with door-to-door collections
In the run-up to Christmas, the number of events for donations at home increases. In principle, these can be considered less serious. Although there are some trustworthy organizations that send representatives door-to-door. However, they are probably the minority.
Essentially, one should not engage in any transactions right at the front door and certainly not donate large sums of money. If it is assumed to be a serious organization, representatives can surely provide contact information to ensure their good intentions.
Related topics:
- When considering donating during the discounter reduction period for food banks, it's important to ensure that the organization is trustworthy, as the Central Institute for Social Issues database can provide information on this.
- When faced with door-to-door collections during the holiday season, it's advisable to not make donations on the spot and instead ask for contact information to verify the organization's legitimacy.
