Empowering communities, driving positive change, and fulfilling personal values — there are numerous reasons to donate to a charity. Charitable giving allows you to support those in need and inspire collective action.
That said, finding a charitable organization to donate to can be overwhelming. With so many different causes and non-profit organizations out there, it’s hard to find the one where your contributions will make the most impact.
This guide will offer some clarity. Here’s how you can choose a charity to leave a lasting impact:
Define Your Giving Goals
Before you donate charity, identify what matters most to you. Some people want to empower the younger generation through education, while others want to make healthcare accessible for the underprivileged. Other examples include environment and poverty alleviation.
Understand that there is a difference between donating wisely and giving money to organizations that you hear about the most. So choose a cause that resonates with you on a personal level.
Next, consider whether you want to give locally, nationally, or globally. This will help you narrow down the list of potential charities.
Vet Charities
Once you’ve shortlisted some charities that are working for your specific goal, it’s time to vet each one of them as your life depends on it. Go to the organization’s website or visit their office.
Look for mission statements, goals, and past achievements. Have they ever been featured for an initiative? What do the numbers say?
Moreover, look for board member information. Read and understand the individual works and mission statements of these members. Do they resonate with your own?
Look for annual reports and IRS Form 990s on their websites or watchdog sites to see how funds are spent. Ideally, a charitable organization should be spending at least 75% of its funds on programs.
For instance, if a non-profit organization is focused on bridging educational gaps, it should be spending most of its funds on workshops, after-school programs, and mentorship initiatives.
Remember that an authentic charitable organization won’t hesitate to show you financial reports, annual reports, and impact metrics.
Think About Impact
As hinted earlier, it’s important to donate to a charity where your donations and efforts would make the most impact. Check if the charity clearly shows how donations are used.
Moreover, look for measurable outcomes, not just promises. Depending on your preferences, you can choose to donate to long-term effects as well as short-term projects.
Decide on the Type of Support
Next, decide on the type of support you wish to offer. You’ve got a couple of options. You can either make a one-time donation or recurring donations.
In addition to monetary donations, many charities welcome volunteering and other skills. Get in touch with your desired organization to get complete details.
Beware of Scams
Lastly, keep an eye out for scams. Here are some tips you should follow:
- Don’t donate to charities with names like well-known ones without checking them first.
- Beware of urgent, heartbreaking stories, especially if an organization is trying to pressure you into quick, unthinking donations.
- Beware of fake crowdfunding pages or events.
