The families of Sydney siege victims Katrina Dawson and Tori Johnson have requested funds raised in honour of the slain hostages be directed to specific charities.
Donors were also upset that, in some cases, 62percentt of contributions that had not been earmarked for specific charities were used to cover administrative expenses.
Mr. Larsen said 45percentt of gifts in the year just ended were designated for specific charities, up from the high 30percentt range in earlier years.
Some of the specific charities benefiting during the testing phase are the American Red Cross, the microlender Kiva and Conservation Northwest.
"[But] it's not just the figures but the awareness of these specific charities," Olsen continues.
"The government is not in the business of singling out specific charities for cash donations, as was the result of the conveyance of the White Holly and White Sage," Senator Snowe said.
I settled on a Christmas Day TV advert to highlight the work of a specific charity, as well as advertising on product packs.
For instance, supporters of a specific charity — say, a local food bank, or even a Little League baseball team — could all agree to open accounts and direct the donations to that recipient.
In the last five years, the Internal Revenue Service has revoked the tax exemption of 72 groups, known as supporting organizations, that obscure philanthropies created to support specific charities.
Last month, a team of officials led by the Treasury Department visited Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Bahrain and other Arab states to discuss specific charities with their Middle Eastern counterparts.
