How to Choose a Charitable Cause

You don’t have to be a lottery winner or independently wealthy to start supporting a good cause. Every year ordinary Americans donate their hard-earned dollars to various philanthropic areas. In 2022, they gave $499.33 billion to charitable causes, far exceeding corporate giving which amounted to $21.08 billion in the same year.

If you are considering donating money to a charitable cause but are unsure where to contribute, this article has outlined some tips to help you make a wise and informed decision.

Identify Your Values

There are countless good causes out there, each one deserving of your donation. Whether it’s contributing toward the betterment of the planet, its people, or its animals, finding a cause that aligns with your unique values, interests and goals can bring deeper meaning and connection to your charitable giving. 

Is there a topic you have always been interested in or cared about? Perhaps you once campaigned for greener initiatives in your community or marched for women’s rights in a foreign country. By reflecting on the areas that have moved you deeply or inspired you to take action over the years you can arrive at a cause that resonates with your passions and values.

Research Charities

Having determined the cause you wish to give to, researching the various charities in that area will allow you to narrow down the right ones to support. You can use resources like online charity databases, search engines, government directories and social media platforms to research potential charitable causes and non-profit organizations to donate to. To ensure your donation will have maximum impact, it’s important to evaluate prospective charities based on certain criteria such as:

• Programs and services: Review the various initiatives the charity provides and the needs it addresses. Assess the tangible impact it has and the ways your donation will make a difference through sites like Easy Donation Pickup, which can help ensure your contribution will be used effectively.
• Financial health and efficiency: Review the charity’s annual reports to gain an understanding of its financial health and efficiency. Are they transparent about their expenses and the percentage of donations that directly support their cause?
• Ratings and reviews: Alongside referrals from friends and family, charity rating organizations such as Charity Navigator, GuideStar and Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance will rate the performance of various charities in certain key areas, helping you decide whether your funds will be put to good use.

Consider Donating Options

Once you have chosen a cause to support and a particular charity to donate your money to, all that’s left is deciding how to donate. Review the donation process for the charity to discover payment methods and the ease with which donations can be made. Is it a manual process where you have to send a check in the post or can you set up an online payment schedule for recurring donations?  If there is a particular campaign or program you would like your funds to go towards rather than being generally allocated it is worth enquiring if this is possible.

By following these tips, you can find the right charity to donate to, allowing you to support and contribute to a cause that you truly care about.