How to check out a foundation/organization

[Marie in RI]

My new daughter-in-law has asked me about "Brides against breast cancer", an organization that takes donated bridal gowns, sells them and funds breast cancer research. Does anyone know how to check on a group like this to see if they are legitimate before donating? She asked me and I have no idea how to check.

[Vi Schorpp]

Brides Against Breast Cancer: Event in Drexel Hill, Pennsylvania ... (http://www.thecancerblog.com/2007/09/11/brides-against-breast-cancer-event-in-drexel-hill-pennsylvania/)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=j>One of the Making Memories fundraisers is Brides Against Breast Cancer. It can give brides-to-be, an opportunity to find the wedding gown of their dreams ...
www.thecancerblog.com/2007/09/11/<WBR>brides-against-breast-cancer-event-in-drexel-hill-pennsylvania/ - 42k - <NOBR>Cached (http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:WrXsBVSn-d4J:www.thecancerblog.com/2007/09/11/brides-against-breast-cancer-event-in-drexel-hill-pennsylvania/+Brides+Against+Breast+Cancer&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=4&gl=us) - Similar pages (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:www.thecancerblog.com/2007/09/11/brides-against-breast-cancer-event-in-drexel-hill-pennsylvania/) - Note this (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Brides+Against+Breast+Cancer&btnG=Google+Search#)</NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>
Watermelon Shoes: Brides Against Breast Cancer (http://watermelonshoes.blogspot.com/2007/11/brides-against-breast-cancer.html)

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=j>My wedding dress cost $250 plus a $200 entry fee to the opening night fete of this year's Brides Against Breast Cancer event in New York, yet it feels like ...
watermelonshoes.blogspot.com/<WBR>2007/11/brides-against-breast-cancer.html - 57k - <NOBR>Cached (http://64.233.169.104/search?q=cache:s67l9pJGqX0J:watermelonshoes.blogsp ot.com/2007/11/brides-against-breast-cancer.html+Brides+Against+Breast+Cancer&hl=en&ct=clnk&cd=5&gl=us) - Similar pages (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=related:watermelonshoes.blogspot.com/2007/11/brides-against-breast-cancer.html) - Note this (http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&q=Brides+Against+Breast+Cancer&btnG=Google+Search#)</NOBR></TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

[halfvass]

There's a good article on bankrate.com on checking out charities. Here are the websites that they give for more info:

<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=2 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD class=bullet vAlign=top width=10>•</TD><TD class=interactive-gr vAlign=top>Association of Fundraising Professionals (http://www.afpnet.org/)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bullet vAlign=top width=10>•</TD><TD class=interactive-gr vAlign=top>American Institute of Philanthropy (http://www.charitywatch.org/)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bullet vAlign=top width=10>•</TD><TD class=interactive-gr vAlign=top>Wise Giving Alliance (http://www.give.org/)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bullet vAlign=top width=10>•</TD><TD class=interactive-gr vAlign=top>GuideStar (http://www.guidestar.org/)</TD></TR><TR><TD class=bullet vAlign=top width=10>•</TD><TD class=interactive-gr vAlign=top>Independent Sector (http://www.independentsector.org/)

Hope this helps.

Deb
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[halfvass]

Did a little checking myself and the name of the foundation is Making Memories Breast Cancer Foundation. They do seem to be a legitimate charity. Find out more about them at http://www.makingmemories.org

Deb