How can I verify a charity?

Question

Before I send money to a charity, I'd like to be able to check-up on them. Is there a website where I can go that will tell me if the charity is a worthwhile place to donate to?

Answer 1

you can always find any charity and even look at their tax returns called 990 s at

www.guidestar.org

Answer 2

What a fantastic question.

I'll be following the answers as closely as you.

We all seem to throw spare money into any old collection tin without ever really knowing where it's going.

It would be great to have somewhere to look to get rid of the scammers, who make a living from someone else's problem.

Sorry I've joined in your question, but it's a good un

Answer 3

Well there are two places to start, 1) with your State Attorney Generals Office - ask them how best to verify a charity. 2) The US governments website on charities at, http://www.irs.gov/app/pub-78/

I also seem to recall there is a non-profit out there somewhere that ranks all the charities based on the use of the money donated relative to the percentage of the overhead. Of course, the less money used for overhead means the more of your donated money goes to do what you are donating it for! So, pick a good charity with very low or no overhead and you will never go wrong!

You should be able to get what you need from them directly. Thanks from the world for participating in making this a better place for all of us to live and doing it the right way!