Don't wait for them to come to you.
All charities need money. For something as important as which one you give to, however, it's smart to be proactive. Remember that many of the organizations that come to you--door-to-door or via mail/phone solicitations-- have to pay for those efforts, meaning that less of the money you give goes directly to help those they intend to serve.
Always check into the tax benefits.
You're generous, but you’re also pragmatic. One of the perks of giving to a non-profit or charity is the write-off--a nice side benefit of munificence. So, as you are doing your research, make sure you ask if your donation is tax-deductible.
Do your due diligence.
Even in the most noble of pursuits, there can be a few bad seeds—so ensure that the organization you're considering is legitimate. You can check out the IRS' Charities and Non-Profits page, which lists those organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. You can also visit Guide Star or the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance to check out particular group's benevolence bona fides.
Make sure they are efficient.
Just because a group works to do good doesn't mean they are very good at what they do. Make sure the organization you give to is well-managed and efficient. Check their financials online, especially their expenses. According to Charity Navigator, most charities (roughly 7 out of 10) spend about 75 percent of their budget on programs or services they exist to provide. If you're not sure about an organization, call and ask them questions--they should be more than happy to clarify anything for you.
You may hear a lot from Goliath.... but consider the David’s out there.
The groups that have the money to call you all the time--such as your assiduous alma mater--aren't usually struggling to make ends meet. While these places are certainly worthy of gifts, they may not be quite as needy as some of the other options out there. Keep in mind some of the shelters, food banks, art-based non-profits and the like--chances are, they'll appreciate the gift a little more than a land-grant university will.
 | ||||||
|
|
|
||||
|
|
|
|
| ||
|
|
|
||||
| ||||||
