It can be tough to try and pick one charity among the countless offerings when you want to make a donation. With Wander Project, folks running a charity bib can select to run and fundraise for “Your Choice” – meaning the runner can select any charity they want to support. See we see hundreds of nominated charities we often get asked, “How will I know if my charity…is actually a charity? a good charity?” and other similar questions around the verification process.
The “Your Choice” charities come in via a form from each runner. Using the information provided Wander Project checks that each organization is a registered 501c3 organization and headquartered in the United States. If headquartered elsewhere the participant must provide information showing that the organization is the international equivalent of a 501c3, which varies country by country, ensure that we have a contact person and mailing address so that we can reach out if we have questions and most importantly, have a place to mail their check to.
While the Wander Project system attempts to stay simple, there are a few additional things to keep in mind when choosing your own charity to support – whether it’s for a charity bib, to donate to, to volunteer with, or even work for!
Finding Your Charity
Before you can verify your charity, you’ve got to pick one. Consider your interest. Sometimes a need presents itself such as a natural disaster and that helps identify your cause (we’ve got an article specifically on hurricane relief here) but other times you might need to start with things you care about. What’s something you’re passionate about? Some common categories include: environment, arts & culture, social services, animals, education, and health.
Within those categories are thousands of amazing international, national, and local organizations to pick from with broad to very specific missions. If you’re running a charity bib you might choose an organization close to your home or an organization close to the race you’re running to give back to the community you’re visiting. Charity Navigator has a handy search tool that will let you search by state and cause to help narrow down options. If you’re hoping for a more local cause you could do a quick Google search of charities in your area or check with your local community foundation. Don’t be afraid to ask a friend or colleague about the charities they support in your region, it might help you find the right fit for your gift.
Do Your Homework
Verify their status —First things first, check to ensure that the organization is a registered charity – they should list their 501c3 status on their website. You can also check for free on websites like Guidestar or Charity Navigator. Political, religious, and educational entities that might also be considered a nonprofit may have a different designation number with the IRS.
Review their website – Is it up to date? Do they provide their most recent 990 (annual nonprofit tax filing)? Can you review their last annual report to see how donations were utilized? Do they have any current campaigns or special projects? Does the work they’ve done so far align with what you’re hoping to support?
Evaluate the donation method – If making an electronic donation is the payment going through a reputable platform like PayPal, Square, or an encrypted webpage? If mailing a check it should go directly to the organization, question it further if you’re being asked to send it to a particular person.
Check Reviews – You’d read reviews for a hotel or a restaurant, so why not do the same for a charity? Seeing other folks’ experience with the organization can be very insightful. Just remember, folks are quick to complain so rather than disregard a charity because someone was disappointed that it “rained on the day they visited and they had a miserable time” look for patterns of things that might be a red flag like issues with donations/payments, questionable usage of funds, lack of transparency, or legal issues.
Special Considerations
- If you’re planning to make a large gift or are considering including a charity in your estate planning, ask for a meeting with the Executive Director of the organization. Go to the place and visit if you can. Learn about specific programs or projects you could support with your contribution.
- Consider recurring gifts in a monthly or annual frequency rather than a one time gift. Longevity and sustainability are essential for nonprofits to make an impact in the big picture. By confirming a set gift, you’re ensuring their important work is supported not just today but in the future.
- If you have something to give other than money – whether it’s high value goods like vehicles & boats, stocks, a box of office supplies, or even a bag of dog food – always make sure the organization wants and can accept the items. Never leave items at an organization without ensuring your gift is acceptable first.
There are an abundance of wonderful causes out there, each in need of donations and support. With so many opportunities it can be overwhelming to try and pick one or two that will best use your funds. Using the tips above can help you narrow down your decision and ensure your dollars are actually being used as intended and reaching the causes you care about.