How to Vet a Nonprofit Before Making a Donation

(DailyDig.com) – Customers today have strong social consciences. Social media have simplified the options available for donating to organizations.

When individuals rush to donate before the year ends, it’s critical to choose charities that share their values and investigate them to be sure they will manage their funds responsibly. As individuals research the organization, the choice will become clearer.

Look into their past, examining the financial sources and goals of the organization. Find out how long they’ve been in business and who helps them. Over time, if they get widespread support from well-known contributors, they ought to have established a track record of meeting their goals, per Operation New Hope’s Kevin Gay.

Verify that the charity is a genuine, legally recognized nonprofit institution. To confirm if they are tax-exempt in the US, utilize the IRS’s Tax Exempt Organization Search tool.

Examine their internet footprint. Read their articles to understand the opinions of various individuals regarding the work being done and the impact it made, per The Foundation for Chiropractic Progress’ Sherry McAllister.

Talk about the organization on social media with volunteers and other funders. Donors and volunteers who think highly of a charity will have positive things to say about it, according to Gloria Horsley of Open to Hope.

Find out how open and honest they are about their finances and practices. The websites of the charity or GuideStar may include financial statements, 990s, and organizational details. Transparent reporting enables organizations to achieve Platinum rating on GuideStar.

A company that displays an independent audit report shows that it is committed to accountability and openness, and it also reveals the board of directors’ appropriate supervision, per Freddy Williams from the Suncoast Boys & Girls Clubs.

Investigate the results and beneficial effects that they demonstrate. Examine the program’s results and the recipients’ comments on the organization, according to Hunger Relief International’s Rachel Zelon.

Become engaged and meet people in the community; check into volunteer initiatives that are suitable for beginners as well as social mixer events, per Operation Supply Drop’s Glenn D. Banton.