Don't Give Blindly
February 13, 2007 by Chris | permalink
These days, donating is like watching cable television: There are thousands of specialized possibilities. Even after you narrow your field - to one disease, one social problem, one continent - you'll still confront too many choices. Fortunately, charities have watchdogs and reviewers to measure them against various yardsticks. Want to know how much of your money will end up with folks who reallly need it rather than spent on administation? Or do you simply want a list of non-profits that are best at, say, fighting disease in Africa? These wesbites deliver:
Charity Navigator
www.charitynavigator.org
Boasts a seachable sortable database plus top 10 lists in myriad categories
American Institute of Philantrophy
www.charitywatch.org
Issues letter grades for charities nationwide
Guidestar
www.guidestar.org.
Has a massive database of nonprofit financials.
Better Buiness Bureau Wise Giving Alliance
www.give.org
Identifies charities that spend at least 65% of their money on programmes.
