Why is it essential for you to verify the background of a charity?

Do you want your hard earned money to be used for something else by charity organizations? There are several cases in which charity organizations use donors’ money for the purpose other than intended. The reason that donors are reluctant in giving to the non-profit sector is that they don’t trust the sector. Every coin has two sides, not all non-profit organizations are shams, some work day and night to help the people in need. An ethical charitable organization makes a difference in the lives of people by working towards the cause.

It is essential for the donor to verify the background of a charity so that they don’t become a victim of a scam.

Check For The Cause The Charity Is Working For

It is essential for a donor to always check for the cause the charity is working for. There are sham charities which mushroom up when there is any natural disaster like a tsunami or an earthquake. They even build their official websites and post fake pictures of the work they have done so far. Sham charity organizations employ all the method that an ethical charity employs.

Check For How Many Years The Charity Is On The Map

Always check for how many years the charity is working towards the cause. It will give you an insight into how they are keeping up with the changing years. Also, don’t forget to check the projects they have worked upon in the last years or so. Checking for a code of ethics or statement of values of an organization helps you to understand what their ethics are.

Honesty

Honesty is the best policy, right? An honest and ethical organization will share yearly reports; they will be transparent in telling how many donations they have received in the year and where they have spent it. A yearly report will show donors names, the amount of donation they have given, salaries of the board of the members of the charity, etc.

Tools

To help the donors choose the right charity, there are tools like Charity Navigator which rate the non-profits based on accountability, transparency and their financial health. Take help from tools to check the status of non-profits.

Conclusion

You can tell an ethical charitable organization apart from a sham charity by doing proper research. Don’t fall victim to fake charities whose mission is to mint money from the donors.