Prospective donors can find a suitable charity just about anywhere they look. However by doing some homework, you can better distinguish among the many giving opportunities available to you.
With so many charities competing for your philanthropic dollars, the better armed you are with information, the better able you will be to make a wise charitable choice.
“God has given us two hands, one to receive with and the other to give with.” -Billy Graham
What Makes a Charity a Charity?
Generally, a charity is a tax-exempt organization that can receive tax-deductible contributions. To be recognized as a charity, most organizations must file an application with the IRS. Once approved, the IRS generally issues a determination letter confirming that the organization is tax exempt and that contributions to it are tax deductible for federal income tax purposes.
Mission Critical
While the IRS designation recognizes an organization's intent to operate in the best interest of a cause, it does not evaluate the effectiveness with which the organization pursues its mission. To be successful, a charity needs:
