It’s hard to know which charities are most deserving — and yet questioning the merits of a nonprofit (Where is my dollar really going? Is this a scam?) can make you feel like a curmudgeon. We asked the tough questions so you won’t have to.
By Kathryn Wallace
–
“By all means, give to as many organizations as you can with confidence,” says Bennett Weiner, chief operating officer of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. But be warned: If you diversify your giving, you’re going to be on numerous mailing lists for renewal gifts, and similar charities may contact you as well (unless you tell them not to). Plus, the more groups you consider, the more time you’ll need to spend on research.
6. How do I find the right local charity?
Homegrown organizations can require additional research because they may not be scrutinized as intensely as larger nonprofits. Miniutti’s advice for avoiding scams: Make sure the governing board has at least five independent members who make up the voting majority. “You don’t want to see a situation where the board includes the CEO’s husband, daughter, and son-in-law,” she says. Another option is to pick a national charity that works on the local level, like Donors Choose, which can direct your donation to a nearby classroom that needs it.
