Donating Check here 1st

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Donating? Check here 1st !

Americans are a giving people and the combination of holidays and year end mean December is always a big month for donations. Prior to the internet, and if you were like me, you probably thought that nearly 100% of donations, in fact, reach their final destination. The internet played a big part in exposing those non-profits that were perhaps not as ‘non’ as one would expect.

Enter “Charity Navigator”. Now in its 10th year, CN not only ranks charities, but contains lists of charities, like: Celebrity-founded, Top-ranked, Most viewed, least known, Highest Percentage Donated and, well you get it. There’s lot’s of information.

I was surprised to find that 10 charities were over $2.5 million in the red or that some charity fundraisers cost as much as the revenue raised. They are all listed here.

The web site is www.charitynavigator.org and it’s worth a visit. Receiving a tax write-off is a benefit, of course. But for those that are looking for comfort by knowing the money is getting to those that need it, CN provides an admirable service.

Mark Schuster

December 11, 2012

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