Safe Ways to Give this Holiday Season

The holidays inspire generosity. We celebrate with friends and family. We send sugar cookies into the wider world. And we support our favorite charities and their work throughout the year. 

But sometimes giving requires extra care. According to the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network at the U.S. Treasury Department, check fraud stemming from mail theft is surging.  

This holiday season, the Reeve Foundation and the United States Postal Service (USPS) offer these tips for secure giving to ensure your donations reach the charities you choose. 

Consider electronic donations whenever possible: 

• Many non-profits that accept donations online, including the Reeve Foundation, use encrypted websites to protect donor data. Look for a secure URL, which begins with ‘https’ (not ‘http’).  
• Donate with a credit card, not a debit card. Credit cards have different liability standards, providing more protection in case of fraud. 
• You can also give with confidence via Google Pay, PayPal, Venmo, or an ACH bank transfer.  

Mail checks safely:  

• Mail all checks directly from your local post office or hand mail directly to your mail carrier instead of your home mailbox. 
• If not possible, drop mail in blue USPS collection boxes just before the last collection of the day.  

If you’d like to support the Reeve Foundation’s mission this giving season, all gifts, up to $30,0000, are being matched 1:1 through December 31, 2023.  You can make your online gift here or visit our Donate Now page for other payment methods. Thank you for doubling your impact today!