In 2007, Idol Gives Back, produced by the folks who bring viewers American Idol, brought in more than $75 million in charitable donations; in 2008, the amount raised exceeded that. A June 2008 New York Times article described the way in which individuals—particularly children and teens—were finding that the opportunity to donate $10 mosquito nets to protect African children from malaria was making charity “cool.” But it’s not always easy for people of various ages and backgrounds to make intelligent decisions about donating their time, talents, services, and goods, as well as money and assets, to meet their own giving goals while helping not-for-profit organizations achieve their visions. Add on the concern for avoiding scams and pitfalls and possible unhappy consequences caused by their good intentions, and it’s enough for people to keep their donations to themselves.

In The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Giving Back, readers learn to donate wisely by learning how not-for-profits work and donations are utilized, and the best ways to match their personal ideals, values, and giving goals with a group or cause that’s meaningful for them.

The book covers:

•The not-for-profit landscape—how to read an annual report, decipher tax forms, and the issue of paying for overhead
•Deciding what matters and translating priorities into giving back
•Giving back later—charitable bequests and charitable trusts
•Handling telephone solicitations and detecting scams
•What to do if you’ve been the victim of “charity fraud”
•New trends in giving—philanthropreneurship, giving with a willingness to tackle social problems, and addressing the unintended negative consequences of well-intended actions that cause problems for not-for-profits and the people they serve

About the Author:
Elizabeth Ziemba, J.D., MPH, who holds dual degrees in law and international public health, has spent the past five years as the founder and president of the not-for-profit organization SHARED, which is dedicated to improving access to medicines in developing countries. Ziemba has firsthand knowledge and experience of the world of not-for-profits and donations. With a keen understanding of how not-for-profits function and the impact donations have on operations, she has worked with individuals, businesses, foundations, and other not-for-profits that have donated time, services, and goods as well as cash and grants. Each donation has a generally positive but sometimes negative impact on the organization. Educating the donors and general public about donations is a part of her every day job description.

Ziemba’s training and experience as an attorney provide the knowledge required to navigate the complex regulatory world of not-for-profits, including the environment in which they must operate as well as the tax implications for donors. Her skill as an attorney enables her to translate complex legal issues for lay persons in a practical and clear way to foster informed decision-making.

The Complete Idiot’s Guide® to Giving Back
ISBN: 9781592578948, July 2009, $14.95
Author: Elizabeth Ziemba, J.D., MPH

For a review copy or to arrange an interview with the author, please contact Wilks Communications at patty@wilkspr.com, or 708-434-5006.

View more Complete Idiot’s Guide titles at http://us.penguingroup.com/static/pages/cig/pdf/Alpha_2008Q4_Newsletter.pdf