CHOOSE THE BEST CHARITIES FOR YOUR DONATIONS

While you set your giving strategy, think about your values, and select organizations that will put your contributions to good use.

- BY EMMA PATCH

As 2025 winds down, you may soon be finalizing your charitable-giving plans for the year. Many causes need funding, from relief efforts following natural disasters to humanitarian aid initiatives in countries ravaged by conflict and political instability. By donating to reputable organizations, you can support them as they provide vital resources, research and programs.

But deciding which charities most deserve your dollars can be overwhelming. With so many worthy causes to consider, it pays to put some thought into which ones best align with your values and to research which organizations are likely to make the best use of your donations. Along with taking advantage of tax-savvy ways to give, such as contributing to a donor-advised fund or making qualified charitable distributions from an IRA (turn to page 46 for more on QCDs), creating a budget and a schedule for giving throughout the year can help maximize your impact.

Below, we have guidance on setting up a solid giving strategy. And if you're looking for ideas for organizations where you can direct your donations, check out our list of some top-rated charities in a variety of categories.

DO SOME SOUL-SEARCHING

Start by narrowing down the types of causes you'd like to support, reflecting on the issues that matter to you most. “I always suggest that people do a value exercise,” says Colby Bircher, vice president of philanthropic strategies for donor-advised fund Fidelity Charitable. Consider bringing your children into the conversation, too. “If you want to engage the next generation in your philanthropy, you can all come up with collective shared values among the family to really help drive forth what’s important to you and how you want to support that giving.” A few questions to consider: Which causes inspire you? Which populations or groups might you want to focus on, and where are they? What are you looking to accomplish with your support?