(MONEY Magazine) – The best places on the Web to check out a charity before you write a check. --Rhett Butler

WEBSITE/WHO RUNS IT www.give.org Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance

CHARITY RATINGS The BBB notes whether 518 charities meet its 23 standards, from program spending to fund-raising tactics.

SEARCH CAPABILITIES Alphabetical listing only (under Charity Reports)

WHAT'S MOST USEFUL Free charity reports, with information on programs, finances and fund raising. You can submit a complaint about any charity in the country.

[WEBSITE/WHO RUNS IT] www.charitynavigator.org Charity Navigator

[CHARITY RATINGS] Zero- to four-star ratings of 1,748 charities are based on short-term spending and long-term sustainability.

[SEARCH CAPABILITIES] You can search for a charity by program, zip code, region, city or state.

[WHAT'S MOST USEFUL] A detailed financial analysis of each reviewed charity. If you register at the site, you can create a charity portfolio and keep track of your donations.

[WEBSITE/WHO RUNS IT] www.charitywatch.org American Institute of Philanthropy

[CHARITY RATINGS] AIP assigns A+ to F grades to 437 charities based on their finances.

[SEARCH CAPABILITIES] Alphabetical listing and general search engine

[WHAT'S MOST USEFUL] A list of top-rated charities. Other grades not available online; you can order one free copy of the Charity Rating Guide (after that, $35 a year). Site also has giving tips.

[WEBSITE/WHO RUNS IT] www.guidestar.org Philanthropic Research

[CHARITY RATINGS] None

[SEARCH CAPABILITIES] Search by zip code, city, state, category, keyword and more.

[WHAT'S MOST USEFUL] Information on virtually every charity in the country. You can view the tax returns of more than 250,000.

Sources: The organizations.