CHARLOTTE & HOBART ANDERSON

Charlotte and Hobart Anderson make their home in New Ulm, Minn., a small city just 90 miles southwest of the Twin Cities. The retired couple continues to be very active in the community. But, when they need information on non-profits, they contact the Charities Review Council.  A brief interview with Charlotte Anderson explains why.

1) Why do you give to charities?

We’ve been blessed and we believe that what we have is meant to be shared with others.

2) What are your favorite charities and why?

This answer somewhat depends on your definition of what a charity is. We volunteer at and give money to the Wanda Gag House in New Ulm. Built in 1895, the house has been open to the public since 1988, and we have been involved in the restoration as volunteers and providing financial support the entire time. Hobart has been on the board for years. The Queen Anne style home is named for its owner Wanda Gag, an artist and children’s author whose work is displayed all over the world. We worked closely with the Minnesota Historical Society during every step of the restoration; so that we could be sure that everything was accurate to the period.”

The Andersons are active in their church, support the Brown County Historical Society, AFS, the American Cancer Society, American Heart Association, Courage Center, the local Humane Society, the Girl Scouts, Morningside College and St. Cloud State University, the New Ulm Medical Center, the Oak Hills Center for assisted living and care, Mayo Clinic research, Public Radio and Television, German Park, the Hermann National Monument and a host of other organizations.

4) Why do you think giving is important?

We believe that giving is twice blessed. The person or organization that benefits from the donation is blessed, but so is the person who is the donor. I love to see what our contributions do for others.

5) What about your experience working with charity organizations?

We’re often volunteers first and donors later, but we are always busy with some kind of volunteer work. My daughter keeps telling me that I have to learn how to say ‘no,’ but I find that very difficult.

We’ve done a lot of fund raising for a variety of causes. It’s a pleasure to see organizations succeed because of our actions. It’s really rewarding to us to see something grow at least partly because of some funding we supplied. We’d much rather see this now, than have this happen after we are gone.

6) What has been your best giving experience? 

Watching the Wanda Gag House develop has been very exciting.  We’ve put so much of ourselves into it.

7) Any bad giving experiences?

I know there are some organizations that send us letters of solicitation almost every other week. I wish they would send them only once a year. I either give or I don’t, based on the first request, after I’ve checked with the Charities Review Council if necessary, but I don’t need all these letters.”

8) Has the Charities Review Council been useful for you?

They are always there when I need them. I get a real person and she doesn’t make decisions, she just gives me objective, unbiased information and answers my questions. I have particular trouble keeping the various cancer organizations straight.  I know some of them are not effective, and the Council helps me determine which ones are.  

Some time ago, I got a call from a veterans’ organization asking for money. They told me that they had met the standards of the Charities Review Council.  I told them to send me material, but that they could count on me for $100. When I checked with the Council, I found out, they hadn’t gone through the process at all, so when their material arrived, I wrote and told hem that until they went through the process and met the standards, they couldn’t expect any money from us.

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