Better Business Bureau: Research charities before you 'go pink'

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, marked by an outpouring of pink in various forms, from ribbons, to t-shirts, to football uniforms.
 
The Better Business Bureau warns, however, that not every charity looking to ride the pink wave will handle your money properly, in a practice known as "pinkwashing."
 
"Basically what we're trying to tell people is that just because something is pink, and a company promotes that they donate to charitable organizations, doesn't mean that all of your money is going that way," said Dottie Callina with the BBB.
 
The easiest way to combat this, Callina said, is to do your research, adding that good charities will take your donation at any time, and be very transparent about where the money is going.
 
"Another thing is that it's just put in our face in the month of October, but breast cancer is (a problem) 24/7, 365," said Callina on WDUN's Afternoon News Wrap. "We have to remember that those charities need your money all the other 11 months of the year, too."
 
The pink ribbon, a widely recognized symbol of breast cancer awareness, should come with a word of caution. The symbol is not regulated, and does not mean your money will go directly to a charity that supports breast cancer research.
 
"Just because you see pink, don't think whatever you give -- whether money, in-kind donations or even your time -- that it's actually going to help someone who has breast cancer," said Callina.
 
She reiterated that she does not think anyone should feel discouraged from giving, but said everyone should take a few extra to steps to make sure they give to an organization that will handle their money properly.
 
There are a few simple steps you can take to ensure that, according to the BBB.
 
--Get the charity's exact name.
 
--Resist the urge to give on the spot, whether it's a telemarketer or a door-to-door solicitor.
 
--Be wary of sales pitches that tug at your heart strings.
 
--Press them for specifics when it comes to how the charity helps whatever cause it claims to help.
 
--Check the charity's website.
 
--Don't assume every charity is a tax exempt organization.