Before giving money to a charity, find its legal name and confirm its contact details through an independent source. Then choose a payment method that suits you, check the amount and frequency, and keep a record of the gift.
A careful choice begins with the work you want to support. An organization may assist survivors, prevent abuse, or fund research. Look for a clear explanation of its programs and whom they serve before you decide where your contribution should go. If you prefer to give goods to a nonprofit, ask what items it accepts before arranging delivery.
Check the organization behind the appeal
An appealing story or a familiar-sounding name is a reason to investigate. Search for the organization yourself rather than following a link in an unexpected message. Compare its name, location, website and phone number across sources you find independently. Ask for its legal name and employer identification number (EIN), particularly if several groups have similar names.
The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you search by name or EIN, review filings and check eligibility to receive tax-deductible contributions. Match the EIN and location to the organization you intend to support. Its public name may differ from its legal name, so ask the group to explain a mismatch before proceeding.
If you find a listing on the IRS automatic revocation list, check whether the organization was later reinstated. If you find no listing, ask for its determination letter or an explanation: the IRS notes that some eligible recipients, including certain churches and organizations covered by group exemptions, may not appear separately. You can also check with your state charity regulator, which may have registration and complaint information. Registration rules vary by state.
Donate Money to Charity: Compare Your Payment Options
A direct gift through the organization’s own website is convenient when you want an immediate confirmation. Type the address you independently verified into your browser, then follow its donation link. Check that the payment page uses HTTPS; the Federal Trade Commission explains that HTTPS encrypts information in transit, but does not establish that the recipient is legitimate. Review the recipient name on the payment screen before entering card details.
A credit card can provide a clear statement and a way to contact the issuer if a charge is wrong. A check gives you a paper trail and lets you mail your gift without entering payment details online. Confirm the mailing address independently, make the check payable to the organization, and keep a copy or bank record. The FTC identifies credit cards and checks as safer ways to give.
Fundraising platforms and workplace giving programs can be convenient, especially when they collect gifts for several causes. Before using one, identify the legal recipient, any intermediary that receives the payment, the fees, and when funds are expected to reach the intended organization. Check whether you can designate a program and what happens if that program cannot use the gift. A platform confirmation and an acknowledgment from the recipient may serve different purposes, so ask which records you will receive.
Some online charities use payment apps as one option, but the FTC warns that a demand to pay only by payment app, cryptocurrency, wire transfer or gift card is a likely sign of a scam. Pause if a caller presses you to act immediately or refuses to provide details. End the call and contact the organization using a number you found independently.
Look closely at the payment page
Legitimate charity sites should make it possible to understand the transaction before you submit it. Check the amount, currency, recipient and whether the gift is one-time or recurring. A monthly option may be useful if it fits your budget, but find the cancellation instructions and save them before agreeing. If a processing fee or optional platform tip appears, check whether it is added to your total or deducted from your gift.
When you donate money to charity through an appeal shared on social media, follow the trail from the post to the actual payment recipient. A personal fundraiser may support an individual rather than an organization. If your intention is to support a particular nonprofit, confirm that it will receive the funds and ask how the campaign is connected to it. If the answer is unclear, contact the nonprofit directly or use its verified giving page.
Ask what your gift will support
Before you donate to charity, consider whether you want the organization to use the money wherever it is needed or for a named program. An unrestricted gift gives the organization flexibility; a restricted gift should have a clear purpose and an explanation of what happens if that purpose is met or changes. Ask how the group reports progress, who oversees its finances, and whether it will acknowledge your gift.
For charity donations intended to support people affected by violence, you might ask how the organization protects clients’ privacy and whether its services are accessible to the people it describes. An answer should protect individuals’ personal details. Review the organization’s recent reports and filings alongside its own explanation of its work.
Keep your records and follow up
Save the confirmation, the recipient’s name, the date and amount, and any stated designation. Check your card or bank statement for the agreed charge and any unexpected repeat payment. If something is wrong, contact the payment provider promptly and use the organization’s verified contact details to resolve the issue.
If you plan to claim a federal deduction, the IRS explains the records to keep, including a bank record or written communication showing the recipient, date and amount for monetary gifts. Eligibility and deduction rules depend on the recipient and your circumstances; a receipt alone does not settle the tax treatment. For a single contribution of $250 or more, review the IRS requirements for a written acknowledgment.
Choose an amount you can sustain. If you prefer a one-time payment, make sure the recurring box is off. You can also plan future charitable gifts after you have seen how the organization reports on its work.
Now choose one organization, find its legal name and EIN, and check them in the IRS search before opening its verified donation page.