Do you know that there are more than 1.5 million tax-exempt organizations in the country?
As the holidays come and go, many Americans keep thinking about how they might make a difference in the lives of those less fortunate than themselves. Picking a charity can be somewhat overwhelming. No worries if you’re having trouble giving charity donations to the proper organization or even supporting a cause. You’ve come to the right place.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown on picking the right charity to help the world become a better place truly.
Picking a Charity 101: Prioritize Causes With Solid Solutions
The most solvable issues have the best potential for improvement. It’s preferable to work on a topic with some possible answers, or at least some room for progress if all else is equal.
You’re more likely to make a difference supporting pandemic preparation than trying to avert the heat death of the universe. Of course, this is applicable if your objective is to lessen the danger of human extinction.
Preparing for future pandemics is far more manageable than preventing the heat death of the cosmos. It is more probable that the donations you receive will affect you if you choose an effortless cause.
A great example would be working with the International Indian Treaty Council on granting working rights and recognition to Indigenous People.
Prioritize “Emergency” Issues: The Causes That Are Most in Need of Your Time and Attention
Giving to organizations in dire need of funds is a great way to make a difference. There may already be a lot of resources dedicated to more well-known issues.
Other issues, such as the continuing battle against malaria, continue to go unaddressed. If everything else is equal, locating and supporting charities with a more considerable need for financing will do more good.
Values That Are Important to You
What are your most ardent political and social ideals?
We’ll always urge you to pick a cause based on its potential effect. Yet, you have the option of weighing your own beliefs against the potential consequences of numerous causes. It’s also possible to set aside a percentage of your contribution funds for specific causes that you care about.
Consider Expertise and Experience
Organization evaluations may be an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate your competence in one specific area if you do so.
By analyzing medical research and giving to the most promising programs, you may be able to maximize your effectiveness as a donor.
When in Doubt: Check Your Local Charities
Significant, solvable, and urgent issues may be too much of a burden for certain people.
You can always invest in research to aid in the discovery of workable solutions. Or, you can work on pursuing Charity Entrepreneurship may be preferable if no successful charities are already working on a topic.
After all, nothing is better than helping create new effective charities.
Consistency Is Key: Avoid Donating “In the Moment”
This may seem like semantic hair-splitting, but it’s a vital point to make. It’s human nature to want to lend a hand after a natural catastrophe or humanitarian crisis. Organizations in relevant professions frequently link their fundraising efforts to such newsworthy occurrences.
However, before you go for your checkbook or credit card, take a deep breath and stand back.
Don’t succumb to the pressure of the moment if it means making a hasty judgment. This is essential when you get an unsolicited request for money from an unknown charity. Still, if their pitch touches you, investigate if any organizations you’re currently given are taking up the cause.
Determine If You Want to Have a Local or Global Influence
It’s a difficult one. Increasingly, people are giving both locally and worldwide. After all, they want to make a difference in the communities in which they live.
However, you’ll notice that donations to local charities are popular. This is due to many individuals believing that their money can significantly influence smaller organizations.
Supporting groups that don’t have the marketing budget to reach a wider audience may be a rewarding experience. It’s a good thing if you want to make a difference in the world, wherever you are.
A third alternative is not to treat the “global vs. local” debate as a binary choice. Even a modest donation may go a long way in helping a needy community get the services they need.
Research Your “Finalist” Charities
To ensure that the charity you want to donate is worthy of your money, do some research beforehand. You’ll find several organizations researching the financial health of charities. They also write reports on their dedication to openness and accountability.
If you’re attempting to decide on a charity to support, check out sites like charitywatch.org and givewell.org. These tend to provide quantifiable assessments of doing good. Because they perform all of the labor for you and offer their results in an easy-to-understand and impartial way, you don’t have to.
You may also seek advice from reputable organizations. According to philanthropy experts, it’s a good idea to check out which charities your school, religious institution, or place of business supports.
These organizations are more likely to support causes that align with your values because these institutions have thoroughly vetted their philanthropic efforts.
Donating to Charity: Unlocked
There’s no denying that we’re living at a time and age when we’re more connected to each other than ever before. We’re citizens of the world, and when one group is in need, this lack will affect all of us one way or another.
We hope that our guide on picking a charity has helped you navigate the (often) complex waters of getting your money to the right people and supporting the right causes.
And, if you enjoyed our breakdown, you’ll want to check out our other posts and explainers on getting involved. Those (and much more) will be available in our lifestyle and non-profit sections.