How To Donate Your Money Wisely This Year
Money|November 2017

Want to help disaster victims? Do your homework before opening your wallet.

Alicia Adamczyk And Kate Samuelson
How To Donate Your Money Wisely This Year

THE HOLIDAY SEASON brings charitable appeals, which this year may be heightened in the wake of devastating natural disasters. Here’s how to donate wisely:

RESEARCH YOUR RECIPIENT

It’s best to donate to a reputable organization; beware of those created in the immediate wake of disasters. For example, bogus charities created after Sept. 11, 2001, preyed on people’s emotions. Scope out a charity’s website for financial info to make sure it’s legit. If it doesn’t say how the funds will be used, that’s a deal breaker. Research organizations through the following websites: charitynavigator.org, givewell.org, and guidestar.org.

GO DIRECT

Try to donate directly through an organization’s website. Scammers use phishing emails to gain access to your personal information; never donate via Facebook or Twitter.

This story is from the November 2017 edition of Money.

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This story is from the November 2017 edition of Money.

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