Web Resources
(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. |
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