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    Charity Vetting Tool

    Make sure your donation goes where you think it goes.

    Two things to check

    1. Is the charity real and IRS-registered? (Or is it a fake using a similar name?)
    2. How much of your dollar actually reaches people in need? (Some charities spend 80% on overhead.)

    Free lookup tools

    Charity Navigator (charitynavigator.org)

    The biggest free rating site. Stars (1-4) based on financial efficiency, accountability, and impact.

    Look up a charity

    CharityWatch (charitywatch.org)

    Tougher grades (A through F). Focuses on what % goes to programs vs. fundraising.

    Look up a charity

    GuideStar / Candid (candid.org)

    Free profile of every IRS-registered nonprofit. Shows tax filings.

    Look up a charity

    IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search

    Confirms a charity is real and donations are tax-deductible.

    IRS lookup

    Red flags

    • Name sounds almost like a famous one. "American Red Cross Foundation Inc." (the real one is just "American Red Cross"). Scammers copy famous names.
    • High-pressure phone calls. "Send your donation TONIGHT to help fire victims." Real charities give you time.
    • Vague mission. "To help children" — but who, where, how?
    • Asks for cash, gift cards, or wire transfers. Real charities accept checks and credit cards.
    • No website, or a brand-new website. Look for the year founded and an annual report.
    • Won't send a receipt. Real charities email a tax-deductible receipt automatically.
    • Disasters in the news. Hurricanes and wildfires bring out scams. Stick to known names — Red Cross, Salvation Army, Direct Relief, World Central Kitchen.

    How to give safely

    1. Type the charity's full website yourself — don't click a link in an email.
    2. Donate through their site, not a third-party "donation aggregator".
    3. Use a credit card — chargeback protection if it's a scam.
    4. Save the receipt for your taxes.
    5. Sign up for ONE-TIME donations only. Many sites quietly enroll you in monthly giving.

    A note on overhead

    Don't penalize a charity for "high overhead" alone. A small charity may spend more on administration just because of fixed costs. The questions to ask: Is the work effective? Are programs reaching real people? Charity Navigator's "Impact" score gets at this better than overhead alone.

    Charity Vetting Tool — Is This Charity Real and Legit? | TekSure