It’s now the peak season for fundraising. This applies to both reputable and, regrettably, unscrupulous organizations. As early as mid-November, fundraising campaigns begin popping up with the goal of ensuring a merry Christmas for everyone, whether they’re collecting food, gifts, or money to support such efforts. The causes are many and worthy, and the responsibility these organizations take on is great.

In Norway, we’re lucky. We have an industry that, for the most part, takes this responsibility seriously. But there are always some who are willing to exploit good causes. This isn’t limited to outright scammers—who, admittedly, make a lot of noise but are only a small part of the bigger picture. It also involves those who use third-party fundraisers that charge unreasonably high commissions to organizations that aren’t mindful of their responsibilities. There are many pitfalls that donors can fall into.

In 2018, the organizations approved by the Fundraising Oversight Authority raised a total of 4.77 billion kroner. The total amount raised by all nonprofit organizations in Norway is much higher.

Fortunately, there are very few who take advantage of the Norwegian people’s generosity. Nevertheless, the effects of this exploitation can be disheartening. In the worst case uncovered by Charity Monitoring Norway, we see that only 7% of the funds raised actually reach the organization. Charity Monitoring Norway accepts that some money is spent on fundraising, but the case described above is completely unheard of. By comparison, approved organizations spent an average of 21 kr. to raise 79 kr. in 2018, resulting in a fundraising rate of 79%.

Remember: You’re not just being asked for money, but for trust. Trust that the money will be used in a way that maximizes its impact for the cause. Trust in efficiency, in professionalism, and in the fact that the fundraiser has the resources to manage the funds well.

Give from the heart, but choose with your head. See the organizations approved by Innsamlingskontrollen here: https://www.innsamlingskontrollen.no/organisasjoner/