Philanthropy, from the Greek, simply means "love of human kind". We think of philanthropy as people giving of their money and time to make the world a better place to live for all of us.

What is a Charitable Non-Profit?

To define a non-profit is a difficult task. Many people refer to charities as opposed to non-profits, because a non-profit can mean many things (by definition of the IRS code). Click on the following link for a more descriptive definition from The Center for Non-Profits.

“The Center for Non-Profits” should also be a link to: http://www.njnonprofits.org/Whats-a-np.html

What is Charlie’s Buddies?

Established in September of 2001, Charlie’s Buddies is a not-for-profit charitable organization dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for families of critically ill children. Our purpose is to build a lasting legacy of generosity by creating a community of donors who, through their wealth, wisdom, work, and volunteering, can support and help those children and their families in need. Charlie’s Buddies is a fully tax exempt public charity under Section (501)(c)(3) and 170 (b)(1)(A)(vi) of the Internal Revenue Code.

What does 501(c)(3) mean?

In practical terms, it means that donors can enjoy the greatest possible tax advantages, in recognition of the agency's public charitable purpose.

Why should I give to Charlie’s Buddies?

Today's tax laws give you the unique opportunity to save more for yourself and your children, while at the same time giving money to the community causes you believe in.

You can:

• Reduce your taxable income each year through cash donations, thus saving money for your family.
• Avoid income and estate taxes on your IRA or employee benefit account without giving up the income flow.
• Reduce capital gains taxes on asset sales without having to determine the final disposition of the proceeds.

Who oversees Charlie’s Buddies?

Charlie’s Buddies is governed by a Board of Directors, with added support from an Advisory Board. These volunteers are community members from throughout the local community and nationwide.

Does Charlie’s Buddies both give gifts and receive gifts?

Yes. In addition to receiving gifts, Charlie’s Buddies in turn donates those funds received to parents and their children in the form of child development toys, baby furniture, mobiles, rockers. Charlie’s Buddies also has established several programs that are now run within the NICUs to further enhance a families’ experience with their infant. Other programs are in development and ideas of any kind are always welcome.

In what ways can donations be made to the foundation?

The list is extensive, but they can include:

• Cash
• Checks
• Securities
• Charitable bequests
• Other assets such as S-corporation stock as of 1998, closely-held stock, real estate (including land), interests in limited partnerships, literature partnerships, motion picture and television rights, boats and other kinds of property, art, or any combination of these.

Does my family or child have to be located in the Los Angeles area and neighboring communities to benefit from Charlie’s Buddies contributions?

Yes and No. Currently, Charlie’s Buddies is working with local hospitals in the Los Angeles and Orange Counties to fill the need these children have, but expanding to other communities is not a restriction of the organization. With enough community support in your area, Charlie’s Buddies can extend its help to the families and children in your community as well.

May we call Charlie’s Buddies staff to discuss ideas?

Yes, we encourage all to actively participate in Charlie’s Buddies. Simply send an email ([email protected]), and a member of the board will contact you to discuss your idea(s). We encourage sending an email prior to calling (but this is definitely not a requirement), simply because we are currently a small organization and don’t have the resources to man a phone daily. We prefer to cut costs and use all donations for children’s benefits.

How can I learn more about Charlie’s Buddies?

Charlie’s Buddies has various printed materials that provide information to both prospective donors and interested volunteers. Write, call, email or scan the web site for these materials or to meet with a staff member. To submit an email, visit the "Contact Us" section.