What are some REPUTABLE charities for both people and animals that I can donate money to?

Question

I've decided I want to start donating money to charity for both animals and people, but there are so many charities out there, that I don't even know where to begin. I am also scared that some places might not be as authentic as the claim to be, and the money might not go where it's actually supposed to. Can any of you name some reputable charities that you know of, or that you have actually donated to? Any information would be extremely helpful, thanks!

Answer 1

Best idea is to find people/animals that need help.

To date (in my old age) I have not known of a single charity that is worth donating to.

Answer 2

i don't know if  you have one in your town but i bet you do, i would donate to a " NO KILL ANIMAL SHELTER"

this animal shelter takes in strays but they do not put them to sleep like the local shelter does.

Answer 3

Kevin Bacon ( the actor) has a website called Six Degrees of Separation  with several charities that could use donations. It will also let you make a blog and get money for a local Charity or your own. Check it out.

Answer 4

Guidestar has a list of every nonprofit organization registered in the USA:

http://www.guidestar.org

Some people like CharityNavigator, which rates charities, but I'm not a big fan of their criteria:

http://www.charitynavigator.org

For animals, I think the best place to donate is locally, where your donation can have real impact. See if the Humane Society or the ASPCA runs your local animal shelter, or if they run an alternative no-kill shelter to your city shelter, and consider giving your money to either. A web search or your phone book will give you more details. And feel free to ask to visit to see their work for yourself.

For people -- any organization that receives United Way funding is going to be highly credible, but you do NOT have to give you money through the United Way. Check out your nearest United Way web site to see what organizations are a part of their annual campaign.

A good way to get to know an organization for yourself is to volunteer there. Here are web sites that can help you find volunteering opportunities in your area:

VolunteerMatch, http://www.volunteermatch.org

Idealist, http://www.idealist.org

Change.org, http://www.change.org

CraigsList, http://www.craigslist.com

Network for Good, http://www.networkforgood.org

http://www.1-800-volunteer.org/

ServeNet, http://servenet.org/

Also, contact your local volunteer center; you can find this via the Points of Light Foundation web site,

http://www.pointsoflight.org/centers/

For myself: I give money to CARE International and MADRE, because I'm very concerned with women and girls in the developing world and want to donate to organizations having real impact. I also have started giving to projects via www.kiva.org, and I do love picking where my "investment" is going to go.

Answer 5

American Red Cross is #1 charity, they have the highest percentage of the donated dollar going directly to the client.

Pet helpers is another wonderful organization and your local ASPCA is great too.