Choose a cause with your heart, then “select an organization with your head,” says Harold, whose website aims to give donors clarity when it comes to picking the right charity: Are its goals and strategies precisely defined? Does it share specific results? If a group’s mission is vague (“to end poverty”), your money will probably be better spent elsewhere. If it provides details and stats about budget, approach, and outcomes, you can feel more confident about giving your dollars.
CharityNavigator.org and GiveWell.org can also help you dig deep into an organization before you commit.
