5 Best Breast Cancer Charities to Donate To (That Are Tax Deductible!)
5 Best Breast Cancer Charities to Donate To (That Are Tax Deductible!)
The best breast cancer charities to donate to that are tax deductions: When we donate to charity, we’d like to think that nearly all of our money is used to help people, fund research, and find cures. That’s why you give it, right? So wouldn’t it frustrate you to think that instead of going towards the cause you support, your money is lining the pocket of a CEO? Or, maybe at tax time you learn that the money you gave isn’t a tax benefit, as you had assumed. That’s why it’s important to research your charity before you donate.
Before listing our top 5 breast cancer charities, let’s talk about the biggest name in the space: Susan G. Komen. Although the Susan G. Komen Foundation reported over $200 million in contributions and other revenue in 2015, you might want to think twice before making a donation to their charity.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation: A Controversial Charity
Mission: Save lives by meeting the most critical needs in our communities and investing in breakthrough research to prevent and cure breast cancer.
The Susan G. Komen Foundation was founded by Susan’s sister, Nancy, after Susan passed from breast cancer at the age of 36. Nancy promised she would do everything she could to end breast cancer. The organization is the reason you associate pink ribbons, and all things pink, with breast cancer. They created the famous Run for the Cure, and the popular Susan G. Komen 3-Day walk. Komen had a four-star rating on Charity Navigator. They were pretty much considered to be the top breast cancer charity in America.
But between 2011 and 2012, word came out about their questionable practices, including accusations that they manipulated statistics for their ad campaigns, and pulling its grants for Planned Parenthood’s breast cancer screenings. They also reportedly used aggressive tactics against their “competition,” attacking smaller charities for using words and phrases close to their own slogans.
There questionable actions put financial pressure on smaller breast cancer charities, detracting from what should have been their mutual goal of finding a cure for breast cancer. Add to that the revelation that their CEO, Susan’s sister Nancy, took home nearly $700,000 in salary in 2013 – an abnormal amount for a charity CEO. Nancy eventually stepped down, and the foundation has been working to repair its reputation ever since, yet they still have a relatively low rating on
While donations to The Susan G. Komen foundation are tax deductible, they are a good example of why you should research charities before you donate to them. The good news is, the number of highly acclaimed, trustworthy charities out there vastly outnumbers the controversial ones.
Is Susan G. Komen the best breast cancer charity for you to donate to? Possibly, but it’s best to do some research before donating to any charity or non-profit. if you’re looking for highly-rated and reputable breast cancer charities, here’s a list of five of the best tax-deductible alternatives to Susan G. Komen:
Charity Navigator rating: 97.8 | Charity Watch grade: A
Best breast cancer support charities
Mission: To provide information and support to individuals diagnosed with breast cancer and their caregivers
LBBC has an impressive score on sites like Charity Navigator, where they have held their 4-star rating for a full decade. They are rated exceptionally high in the financial area, with over 83 cents of each dollar donated going to their breast cancer efforts. Their CEO’s salary is around $180k a year; a fraction of the salary paid to Susan G. Komen’s CEO.
LBBC is mainly education oriented, offering several free programs for women in all stages of breast cancer. Additionally, they offer help for men, African-Americans, and LGBT people.
Their goal is to provide people with information, education, and a support system. LBBC offers its communications in various printed and digital formats, as well as in person and through their free Breast Cancer Helpline.
Donations to Living Beyond Breast Cancer are tax deductible.
Mission: To prevent and cure breast cancer by advancing the world’s most promising research
The BCRF is one of the highest rated breast cancer charities. Their priority is research, which they believe will lead to a better understanding, and eventually eradication. They fund over 200 researchers who are dedicated to reaching that goal. Charity Navigator rates them as 100% transparent, so you can trust that your money is going where you want it to.
As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, your donation to BCRF is tax-deductible
One of the top breast cancer support non-profit organizations
Mission: To help women now by providing help and inspiring hope to those affected by breast cancer through early detection, education and support services
National Breast Cancer Foundation partners with hospitals to provide free mammograms for women all across the US, and have created a community of support through Beyond The Shock.
They offer an Early Detection program on their website, which includes education on symptoms of breast cancer and how to perform a self-exam. They also give explanations of clinical breast exams and mammograms.
As a 501c3 nonprofit, donations to NBCF are tax-deductible
Charity Navigator rating: 85.2 | Charity Watch grade: A
One of the best breast cancer awareness charities
Mission: Has set a deadline to know how to end breast cancer by January 1, 2020
The NBCC means business. So much so, that in 2010, they set a deadline for finding the cure for breast cancer. On their website, you will find a large ticking banner, counting down to January 1, 2020. By this time, they’re determined to know how to end breast cancer. What’s more, they have a blueprint to find that cure. NBCCF is singularly focused on eradicating breast cancer, and all donations go towards the science and knowledge to get them there.
As a 501c3 non-profit, your donation to Breast Cancer Coalition Fund is tax-deductible
Mission: The Breast Cancer Fund works to prevent breast cancer by eliminating our exposure to toxic chemicals and radiation linked to the disease
The BCF takes a different approach to helping in the fight against breast cancer. Their focus is on environmental causes – chemicals in plastic, food, cleaners, and cosmetics, as well as radiation.
They also work to change the perception of chemicals in society. nd are working to educate people and provide practical alternatives.
As a 501c3 non-profit, your donation to Breast Cancer Fund is tax-deductible
Most Breast Cancer Charities are great to donate to, but always do your homework
There are many wonderful and worthwhile charities to donate to. But there are also some organizations who will try to dazzle you with color, and campaigns that skim over full truths. That way you won’t notice when money goes somewhere else.
So, before you give to a cause that means a lot to you, do some research. Do your homework on sites like Charity Watch and Charity Navigator to see their ratings. Read reviews. And then donate in good conscience, knowing that your money is truly going to a good cause.
More top breast cancer charities that are also 501c3 tax-exempt:
Make sure you claim a tax deduction for any donation you make to these worthy charities
The added benefit of donating to charity is the added tax benefit. First of all, know whether your donation to a charity or non-profit is tax deductible before contributing. Your tax deductible donations can go significantly farther by reducing your taxable income.
Also, make sure you claim these deductions properly on your taxes. All reputable tax professionals as well as top tax-preparation software will ask you about any contributions that you made during the year. The premium or Deluxe editions from brands like TurboTax and H&R Block will prompt you with specific questions about donations to make sure you get every deduction you deserve. In fact, TurboTax even has an app called, “ItsDeductible” to track your donations or donated items year-round.
*Think twice about using any “free” tax software, as even the best tax prep software might miss deductions including your gifts to charity. Instead, use one of our exclusive coupons for TurboTax here, and H&R Block here to save money and get your biggest tax refund!
