I was once a routine contributor to a now defunct charity. The cause, in support of handicapped Americans, certainly seemed just enough. They didn’t ask for much and they made it easy to give. So I willingly parted with money I probably needed as much as those to whom I was giving (times were tight back then). It was a year or two after I started giving that I just happened to catch a news story in which this specific charitable organization was mentioned, along with several others. The story was on charity fraud. It was damning, the evidence solid and, soon after airing, the scam-artists quietly crept away never to bother me for a handout again. I felt violated.
What differentiates my story from what many Americans experience is that I happened to learn the truth by chance. Most never do learn what happens with the money they so generously give (to the tune of about $100 Billion in the US) every year. But there’s a way to ensure that your money is going where it is most needed and all it takes is a little advance research on your part. Charity Navigator, marketing themselves as America’s largest charity evaluator, is our recommended source. They’ll help you decide which charity is the right one for you. My advice - pay particular attention to how much of your contribution goes to programs rather than overhead.
Don’t stop giving out of concern for how your contribution will be used. Just do a few minutes of research and give wisely.