Throughout the holiday season, many charitable organizations make a concentrated effort to finish the year strong. Giving Tuesday is coming up. This is the time of year when many people donate their time, money, and resources. With many different organizations vying for your donations, how can you determine the best beneficiaries?

After all, you want to know that your donations are impactful. You want to know that you’re directly helping those who need it most through these charities.

There are so many groups out there – not just in the pediatric cancer space but spanning almost every need and cause imaginable. Whether you’re looking to support kids with cancer or benefit another cause, here’s how to vet worthwhile charities!

10 Steps to Vetting & Verifying Charities BEFORE You Give

Step #1 – Know Their Mission Statement

Before you do anything, go to their website. You want to find a charity that has values aligned with your own. What’s their mission statement? What are their goals? Do they reflect what you value and believe in? Are they going about things in a way you can sign off on? 

Step #2 – Evaluate Their Model & Methods

After establishing the charity’s goals, look at their methods. What programs are they running? Do you find that these tactics are effective and aligned with their goals? Sometimes charities aren’t the most effective at what they do – support people who have a clear vision and a sensible, realistic plan. This is true whether a charity is big or small.

Step #3 – Check for Legitimacy

Is the charity registered with the proper government authorities? If the organization is based in the United States, you can use the Tax Exempt Organization Search by the IRS. Additionally, look at reviews, including evaluations from current and former employees. Glassdoor, for example, may offer insight you wouldn’t get elsewhere. Use Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to investigate further.

Step #4 – Review Financial Accountability

Reputable charities don’t obscure their finances. You should be able to request information directly or for reports on their website. If financial data isn’t freely offered, beware! Additionally, when reviewing these reports, you want to see that most donations go towards programs and people in need – not administrative costs.

Step #5 – Look for Transparency

Unfortunately, a lot of copy we see these days – for both businesses and charities – is opaque. There’s a surplus of buzzwords and not a lot of substance. You want to support charities that freely share information. Look for specifics about what they do, their activities, achievements, and challenges. Are they detailed? Or are you left wondering what do these guys actually do?

Step #6 – Make Contact

Reach out directly. This makes the experience a little more human and meaningful and gives you a chance to express questions and concerns. Legitimate organizations are happy to answer questions and clarify things about their work, impact, and fiscal responsibility.

Step #7 – Beware Red Flags

Beware high-pressure tactics, specific requests for cash-only or gift cards, and groups that refuse to share clear information and direct answers. You also want to look out for charity names that sound or look very similar to big-name organizations. Scammers are counting on the confusion!

Step #8 – Look for Real Impact

What evidence supports the effectiveness of the charity work in question? Look for statistics, real-world stories, and other evidence of a positive impact.

Step #9 – Consider Sustainability

A charity might have the right mission and ideas with genuinely good people behind it. That doesn’t make the charity effective. Do they have a strategic plan for the future? Are they prepared to adapt? Will they steward donations well to scale and sustain their work? 

Step #10 – Evaluate the Leadership Board

Lastly, look to leadership and governance. The board should be highly qualified and transparent. See how they live and what they stand for. 

Now, remember: no charity is perfect. They all fall short in one way or another. Don’t let scrutiny keep you from choosing a worthy cause. These steps are designed to help you determine how you can ensure your money is used to further a mission you believe in and in responsible and effective ways.