Have no idea about the validity of this offer. But, I do want to say that the fact a charity is registered with State authorities (generally a requirement, varies from state to state what exactly is required and what it means) does not imply that the charity will use funds wisely! In fact, there are some legally registered charities that are known to spend almost all the money that comes in on fundraising and overhead costs. Do your own due diligence if you care where your money goes! I help charities raise money, so I am certainly a strong supporter of this type of cause related marketing . But the fact that the group is registered doesn't mean that any oversight is being provided by any authorities (althoug some may be). In fact, claiming that you are registered would be like me saying "Of course I am a good consultant, you see I am registered--I have a social security number!"

Nonetheless, all the best wishes to this foundation which I hope is doing good work! To begin checking out a charity, you may want to start at http://www.guidestar.org Guidestar has xeroxed and put up on the web the 1998 and 1997 tax returns of virtually all charities required to file them. I believe they are working on 1999. Almost all charities must file the 990 tax return if they have more than $25,000/year income. However, churches are exempt from this requirement.

In this case, I looked the foundation up at: http://www.guidestar.org/search/repo...ll&revenue_cd=

If this doesn't work, go to Guidestar, hit advanced search, enter the zip code for this group, 07028, and a list will pop up. Name is spelled Erin Go Branch in that listing.

This charity has not been required to file a complete 990 yet because they have not had more than $25K in income in any fiscal year since they started operating in 1998.

They list one employee, Mr. Fisher, and only 3 board members, generally the legal minmum to found a non-profit corporation. Other than a web site with various shopping programs and such, they do not seem to have any programs, although their stated intention is to build a museum of Irish-American Heritage, certainly a worthy goal, but it is unclear to me that they have a program capable of achieving the goal. Please be aware that in a case like this, providing the board members go along with it, the director could be getting paid in salary and benefits all the money that comes in to the group, net of costs for maintaining the site, etc. I am NOT saying this is what's happening--I have no idea. But do be aware it's possible.

I am all for giving small start up charities a buck and a chance. In this case, I would have to do more due diligence before I could consider a gift, unless I were just flat out interested in purchasing miles (which strikes me as a better deal anyway!) Buy the miles if you can't earn them, and give generously to a charity that you really care about.