Before You Donate: How To Investigate Charities Online

Have you ever considered mailing a donation to a charity, but had second thoughts because you weren't really sure where the money was going to end up? Maybe you've even thought about making an online donation, but harbored similar doubts. How can you tell who's a legitimate charity and who's not? Did you know that you can investigate them online?

There are some great sites that list important information about charities to help you decide whether you should give or not. Here are a few worth visiting before you make your next donation:

• Give.org - The web site for the Better Business Bureau Giving Alliance, Give.org provides reports on national charities.
• Charity Navigator - Includes information on over five thousand charities and rates them on a scale of one to four stars based on specific financial criteria.
• GuideStar - Offers information on 1.5 million non-profits. Free for the basic service but you'll have to pay to upgrade to Select or Premium.
• American Institute of Philanthropy - An industry watchdog that not only rates charities but also features related articles and tips on making donations-even advice on how to donate online!

Giving has the power to nurture your soul-just make sure you're giving to those you really want to!