According to the IRS, an organization qualifies as a charity if 35% or less of its income goes to administrative expenses such as salary and operating costs. With literally thousands of groups qualifying, it can be confusing to decide which organization to give to. Every day, the images of those who need help reach us, along with mailings, charity walks, food drives, and even guys dressed as Santa ringing a bell.
With literally billions of dollars at stake, how does the average person navigate this maze of giving? A quick and easy way to do so is to check out the below 25 websites to learn a charity’s effectiveness and efficiency. Use them to separate the generous from the stingy, the ones whose actions define them from the mouthpieces, and even by the areas that interest you.
Websites to Learn a Charity’s Effectiveness & Efficiency
Visit these websites first to get a sort of watchdogs for charities.
1. American Institute of Philanthropy
Stop here for a nationally prominent charity watchdog service whose purpose is to help donors make informed giving decisions. They rate, grade, focus on top salaries, and other hot issues in the charity sector. You can also read tips for giving wisely and hear what others have to say. Best of all, the AIP does not take any money from the charities it rates.
2. Charity Navigator
This site works to advance a more efficient and responsive philanthropic marketplace by evaluating the financial health of over 5,500 of America’s largest charities. You can browse by every category from animals to religion. There are also loads of top ten lists to keep you busy such as “Top 10 Most Requested Charities” and “10 Super-Sized Charities.” There are also tips, methodology information, and more. Be sure not to miss the blog with more in charity evaluation.
3. Good Intentions Are Not Enough
This site believes if “aid is done poorly it can hurt the very people it is supposed to help.” They provide readers with the knowledge, tools, and resources they need to ensure that their donations match their good intentions. This is accomplished through an internet show that has loads of episodes. There are tips, questions, and other resources that are a must view for anyone looking to be charitable.
4. Guide Star
The tagline of this site is “trusted data, customizable analysis, targeted results.” Recently reviewed organizations often make the list and are done by volunteers, clients, and donors. They even offer an Exchange Seal to outstanding charities.
5. BBB
The Better Business Bureau keeps tabs on member businesses and does the same for charities. Use their site to find a list of approved charities in your area or area of interest. They also feature reports and standards that you can read online, as well as a wise giving alliance.
6. IRS
Just because a charity says it is a non-profit doesn’t necessarily mean it is. To be considered a non-profit and be eligible for deductible giving, it must fill out and have a form 990 approved by the Internal Revenue Service. Visit there to search for charities and get loads of other help. They also include useful items for charities themselves.
7. Charities Aid Foundation
A charity to help charities? That was the aim of this foundation is. Donors are given tools to help make the most of their gifts. Based in the United Kingdom, they also put out reports such as a World Giving Index and Disaster Monitor.
8. The Chronicle of Philanthropy
Get the latest in charity news by checking out this website of this publication. Daily news, tips for fund raising, giving, and even managing are regularly reported. You can also check out facts and figures, as well as view the most popular stories from the homepage.
Websites to Learn About Charity Scams
Unfortunately, just as there are always people ready to lend a hand, there are those looking to scam them. Check out the below to get the latest in charity and other scam news.
9. FBI
Learn how to protect yourself against a variety of scams, including charity, with a visit to the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Items include how to protect yourself and your family, items on criminals, common fraud scams, and even scams on the internet or at work. There is even a section to report crime and fraud online.
10. Blotter
This blog is part of ABC News. With a special section for scams, visitors can read the latest in fraud, many of which commonly involve charities. Recent items involve phone scams, the BBB, and even a Make-a-Wish scam.
11. FTC
The Federal Trade Commission actually keeps a special section for charities and any frauds or scams relating to them. Alerts can be downloaded as a PDF, and there are even facts for consumers such as the “10 Things You Can do to Avoid Fraud.”
12. Bust a Thief
Visit here for a blog that can help you protect your home and your finances. Categories include advance fee fraud, mail fraud, and even a special post on charity frauds.
13. Ripoff Report
The tagline of this site is “don’t let them get away with it. Let the truth be known!” Daily scam reports from across the country are gathered in the news feeds. In addition to featured reports involving millions of dollars in ripped off money, you can also file your own report at no charge.
14. Spam Laws
With email and internet scams growing, what is being done to prevent this? You can visit this site to get the answer to many spam law related questions. There are also sections for scams, fraud, phishing, and more.
15. Scam Boards
Finally, if you need to know and discuss more about charity scams, click here. These message boards are especially for victims of scams and those who are weary of a particular charity. There are over 2,000 posts on charity scams, as well as items for other kinds including internet, mailing, lottery, and more.
Websites to Learn a Specific Charity’s Effectiveness & Efficiency
These websites focus on a particular arena of the charitable world.
16. Give Well
This blog believes in “real change for your dollar.” Sections include issues, charities, and even a Giving 101 section. Want to know why charity ratings don’t work? This blog is full of behind the scenes looks at many charities and mistakes that donors can make.
17. National Center for Charitable Statistics
Get information for various non-profits in the United States on this site. Choose quick facts and figures to get simple aggregate statistics on nonprofit organizations, public charity finances, volunteerism, charitable giving, and foundation giving. There are also other resources on non-profits.
18. Philanthropedia
Click here for a sort of Wikipedia of charities. You can browse for charities by type such as homeless or education and even by area. They also have a special section on how they rank.
19. The NonProfit Times
Click here to get the blog of a site of the same name. You can check out their yearly reports for the best in specific non-profits and charities. However, if you wish to read their material without the price tag, the blog is your best bet.
20. Ministry Watch
The goal of this site is to educate and empower donors to support Christian ministries. Each year, they produce a list of over 30 ministries are doing the most through their charities. Visit to see which made the list and get other giving resources.
21. Philanthrocapitalism
Learn more about this philosophy in charities by checking out this website. Two authors believe a new approach to solving social problems is needed and that entrepreneurs can lead the way to innovative solutions. Also a book of the same name, you can read articles, watch videos, and even get bonus chapters.
22. Veterans Charity Ratings
Military Money Matters is a site that has loads of resources for veterans. In this entry, they show the best and worst in ratings for veteran’s charities. You can even send in your questions about veteran’s charity ratings.
23. TBWE
The Best Website Ever ranks entities across the web to bring you the best in websites. You can visit to see which charity has the best website with a visit. You can also vote and even nominate a charity of your own.
24. Great Nonprofits
Find, review, and talk about your favorite charities on this site. Options include both reading or writing reviews of good or bad non-profits. You can even share your experience with working for a non-profit here.
25. How Much of Your Donation Goes to Charity?
A local news station answers just that question in this video. It gets interviews with those who worked hard to collect money for charities and their reactions to how it was spent. A good view for both sides of the argument.
Because charities can spend money on anything from raising awareness to healthcare for those who can’t afford it, it is important to know what is important to you before donating time, money, or giving to any organization featured in the above 25 websites to learn a charity’s effectiveness and efficiency.
A good idea is to try contacting the charity yourself to see how much money they are making and how much is going to what matters to you such as research, services offered, what charge – if any – is asked of those who receive the charity, and more. This can help you be assured that your time, money, goods, etc. are going where you want them to.
By: Joseph Morris, originally published on Mastersinpublicadministration.com
