top of page

Crisis giving: Proceed with caution, but do proceed!

  • Writer: Lillian Xie
    Lillian Xie
  • Apr 29
  • 2 min read

Slow pavement sign

It’s a natural human response to want to help in a crisis–even though it’s hard for many people to ask for help. Indeed, Stanford social psychologist Xuan Zhao notes that people generally underestimate others' willingness to help and overestimate the inconvenience it may cause. Asking for help can lead to meaningful experiences and often builds powerful human connections. That’s what philanthropy is all about.


Given how we are wired, it’s easy to understand why natural disasters, humanitarian tragedies, and other crises often prompt people to make charitable donations. It’s often tempting to give to a charity without a lot of thought, both because of the emotional pull as well as the urgency of the human need presented by the crisis. But that’s usually not wise. Here’s why:


  • It’s important to make sure the charity is reputable and has a proven track record.

  • You may want to consider giving highly appreciated assets like stock or Qualified Charitable Distributions from your retirement account if you’re 70 ½ +.

  • It’s also important to consider that giving cash can be a great option, even when you know the ultimate need is for food and medical supplies, for example. Cash allows charities to purchase exactly what is needed, often at a discount, and support local economies by buying from local businesses.

  • You should also be cautious of high-pressure appeals that urge immediate donations without providing detailed information about what the charity is really doing.


The good news is that Kitsap Community Foundation is here for you! Whether you’ve established a donor-advised or other type of fund at KCF, contributed to an existing fund, or are considering getting involved, our team is happy to serve as a sounding board.


Our team can help you sort through the many options for giving to crisis relief to help ensure that your dollars make a difference. We’ll help protect your gift from fraud, help you maximize your tax benefits, strive to avoid duplication of relief efforts, and help your donations both meet immediate needs and fuel long-term recovery.


We look forward to hearing from you!

Comments


Commenting on this post isn't available anymore. Contact the site owner for more info.

HOURS

ADDRESS

CONNECT​

SUBSCRIBE

  • Facebook - White Circle
  • YouTube - White Circle
  • Instagram
  • LinkedIn - White Circle

Click here to sign up for our Nonprofit E-Newsletter

 

Give us a call Monday - Friday

9:00am - 4:00pm,

(360) 698-3622

(360) 698-3622

Tax ID Number: 94-3205217

Physical: 

9657 Levin Rd NW

Suite 220

Silverdale, WA 98383

Mailing:

PO Box 3670

Silverdale, WA 98383

 

Click here to sign up for our Donor & Friend E-Newsletter

 

National Standards Seal White.png

© 2025 by Kitsap Community Foundation

bottom of page