How to Choose a Charity that

One of the greatest privileges in life is finding yourself in a position to give. Contributing our time or financial resources is a cornerstone of fostering not only our own well-being but also the well-being of our communities. According to the National Philanthropic Trust, there are over 1.8 million recognized nonprofit organizations across the United States alone. Choosing the right nonprofit from the sea of charities is a daunting task, but with these tips, you can be sure the charity you are giving to keep your values alive.

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Establish Your Values

Before you can choose a charity that aligns with your values, a vital first step is establishing what your values are. Psychology Today cites a value as “an enduring belief upon which a person acts.” Values, essentially, are the driving forces that motivate how we go through life. Are you motivated by money? Family? Equality? The team at MindTools.com says to figure out what your values are, think about the times when you were the proudest, most fulfilled, most satisfied, and happiest. Then, identify what aspects of those experiences elicited those feelings.

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Another way to help establish what your values are is to take an online quiz. There are tons of options available to help you figure out your values, including Psychology Today’s Values Profile. The questionnaire includes 184 most-to-least style questions about situations such as how you’d react to negative gossip about yourself, or how you would react to the news of your impeding death. The assessment suggests setting aside approximately 45 minutes to complete. Basic results are available for free, with the option to add on an in-depth analysis of your answers for an additional cost.

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While assessments can be helpful, they can also be time consuming. Just looking at a list of values can help you identify what motivates you day-in and day-out. There are numerous lists out there, from short lists with the seven core values according to the U.S. Army, or the more comprehensive showing from Science of People’s “300+ Core Values You’ll Ever Need For Work & Relationships.”

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Create a Charity Roster

After establishing your values, it’s time to start finding charities that align with them. Following George Floyd's murder by a police officer in May 2020, widespread support for the Black Lives Matter movement emerged, with many seeking to donate to charities addressing police brutality against the Black community. The Black Lives Matter Foundation received millions of dollars in donations, but as it turns out, was not associated with the Black Lives Matter movement at all. According to Black Lives Matter Foundation founder Robert Ray Barnes, his foundation aimed to strengthen the bond between the Black community and police departments across the nation. The Foundation’s pro-police stances were in direct competition with the aim of the Black Lives Matter Global Network’s belief in defunding the police, who aligned more with the BLM movement’s values.

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Bennett Weiner, the Chief Operating Officer of charity watchdog organization BBB Wise Giving Alliance, gives the following advice for when an individual decides to pick a charity to donate to: “You don’t want to choose a charity by the name alone, since your donation may go to a questionable group.” A name is a potential donor’s introduction to a charity, and many use words that intentionally pull at your heartstrings, and hopefully your purse strings. Utilizing a charity evaluator such as BBB Wise Giving Alliance or Charity Navigator can help you find reputable charities and see how they are using their funds. These watchdog organizations, which are usually nonprofits themselves, will vet other charities for the public to ensure they are donating wisely.

Many watchdogs have lists of the top charities to donate to, taking even more guesswork out of your selection. Some sites, like Charity Watch, go as far as dividing charities into categories such as cancer research or assistance for teens in foster care. Forbes curates a list every year of the best charities to donate to, based on factors such as donation efficiency. Cross-checking these lists for charities that appear more than once and making a list of strong nonprofits is a great way to make sure your money is going to be used in line with your values. Each watchdog organization uses their own metrics for rating or grading charities, so make sure you also learn how each one rates nonprofits, and that their mission aligns with your values.​

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Research Your Charity Roster

Now that you’ve got a roster of charities, it’s time to start determining which one, or ones, deserve your time or money. The Federal Trade Commission, or FTC, suggests using charity watchdogs as well as investigating a charity’s website for their mission statement and how they allocate their donations to realize their mission. Reputable charities will have a clear mission statement, which is a great way to find keywords associated with your beliefs and values. Future donors should also analyze a nonprofit’s website to see if they are transparent about how donations are spent. Less reputable charities use vague statements with emotional messages but don’t explain where exactly money is spent. A charity that states it helps animals find suitable forever homes sounds great for those looking to help vulnerable animal populations, but how is your time or money going to accomplish this mission? If you can’t find this information easily, it may be time to pick another nonprofit to give to.

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Choosing the right charity is more than just a financial decision, it’s a reflection of your values and a commitment to making a meaningful impact. By taking the time to establish the values that matter most to you, researching reputable organizations, and verifying their transparency, you can ensure that your contributions are making a difference in the ways that align with your beliefs. Giving back is a powerful act, and with the right approach, you can be confident that your generosity is truly helping to create positive change.