Checking a charity before you donate

Written for UpdateSee: the essentials, without the noise.

Most charities do valuable work, but a little research makes sure a donation reaches a cause effectively. Confirm that the organisation is officially registered, look at its published accounts and read what it says about its programmes and results. Independent charity evaluators summarise this information and make comparisons between similar organisations easier.

Most charities do valuable work, but a little research makes sure a donation reaches a cause effectively.

Be cautious with unexpected calls or messages that pressure you to give immediately, especially after disasters, when fraudulent appeals often appear. Donate directly through the charity’s official website rather than through links in messages. Choosing a few causes and supporting them regularly usually does more good than many small one-off gifts spread widely.