Know Before You Donate: A Giving Guide to National Patient Organizations

WASHINGTON, Oct. 29, 2014 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it's also the season of highest charitable giving. But how does someone know whether to support a particular charity?  

For people interested in giving to a patient advocacy organization, their best resource is the Giving Guide web page – www.nationalhealthcouncil.org/giving. The Giving Guide lists only those patient organizations that meet the most stringent national standards of transparency, accountability, and ethical practice set by the National Health Council (NHC) Standards of Excellence^® Certification Program.

These Standards are aligned with, but are more comprehensive than, the Standards for Charitable Accountability adopted by the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance. The NHC Standards are also unique to patient advocacy organizations that serve the needs of people with long-term diseases and disabilities.

Compliance with the Standards is determined through an analysis of an organization's documents, such as bylaws, audited financial statements, and annual reports, and the completion of an in-depth survey. This thorough review covers organization governance, human resources, programs, fundraising, finance, accounting and reporting, and evaluation practices.

To ensure their donation dollars go to patient advocacy organizations that will use the funds efficiently and effectively, people can easily use the NHC Giving Guide to identify organizations they can trust.

About the National Health Council – www.nationalhealthcouncil.org

Founded in 1920, the National Health Council (NHC) is the only organization that brings together all segments of the health community to provide a united voice for people with chronic diseases and disabilities and their family caregivers. Made up of more than 100 national health-related organizations and businesses, its core membership includes the nation's leading patient advocacy organizations, which control its governance.

SOURCE National Health Council