Charities Question

[guiseppewv]

How do you gals and guys know which charities are legit? I mean it is easy to say that the big charaties (e.g. United Way, Salvation Army, Habitat for Humanity, etc..) are legit but figuring out if some of the smaller ones are legit is a little difficult.

Any insight here would be appreciated. :)

[ialsohaveadream]

The most basic thing to do is verify that they are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. If they aren't, that's an immediate sign your dollars should be going elsewhere. Also, a lot of times the bigger charities might know of smaller places that are begging for your dollars.

[ShawnLee]

Google them, contact them, and there are places that rate charities based on a number of measures. If I knew which place that was, I'd help but I don't know.

[blueindian]

volunteer for them for a bit to see what's what and who's who.

[cheapie]

be careful about people asking for money for the make-a-wish foundation. can't trust them at all. :shifty:

[guiseppewv]

The most basic thing to do is verify that they are a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. If they aren't, that's an immediate sign your dollars should be going elsewhere. Also, a lot of times the bigger charities might know of smaller places that are begging for your dollars.

Great tip, this is always one of my first steps when looking at a prospective charity to donate to. Do charities also have to provide to you how much of their budget/donations or what percentage of their budget/donations actual went to their cause as compared to what was not. :)


Google them, contact them, and there are places that rate charities based on a number of measures. If I knew which place that was, I'd help but I don't know.

Now that is a site that I need to find. :)


volunteer for them for a bit to see what's what and who's who.

This is a possibility if the charity is local or if you have the time/resources to travel to where the charity is doing work. In the case of the charity that I am researching now, they are located in Tampa and I doubt I would be able to volunteer with them. Besides they don't actual do much work they just provide funds to those in need.


Thanks for the input, everyone!!!! :)




be careful about people asking for money for the make-a-wish foundation. can't trust them at all. :shifty:

I never trust anyone who is taking donations for charity when their name is cheapie. :P

[Grimm]

A charity is a business. Intead of selling a product or directly providing a service, it provides services and products to those in need.
So, where do you check out any business??? The BBB!

They have a site just for charities.
www.give.org

[guiseppewv]

A charity is a business. Intead of selling a product or directly providing a service, it provides services and products to those in need.
So, where do you check out any business??? The BBB!

They have a site just for charities.
www.give.org

That's what I'm talking about!!!!! You da man!!! :thumb:

Now to go look up the charity that I am trying to find some info on.

Thanks Grimm!!!!!! :)