Choosing a Nonprofit to Support 

Giving to a nonprofit organization can be a deeply rewarding experience. Whether you’re donating money, time, or resources, supporting a cause you're passionate about makes a positive impact in your life and in the community you choose to support. However, with millions (yes, millions) of nonprofits out there, it can be challenging to decide where your contribution will do the most good. To ensure your confidence in the organization you choose to support, it's important to choose a nonprofit that aligns with your values and has a proven track record of making a difference. 

Here are some essential steps to help you choose a good nonprofit to support.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                        
Define Your Values and Priorities 
Before you start your search for the perfect nonprofit, take a moment to reflect on your own values and priorities. What issues are most important to you? Do you want to support environmental causes, veterans, healthcare, social justice, animal welfare, or something else? Defining your focus areas will help narrow your search and guide you toward organizations that are aligned with what you’re most passionate about. 

Ask yourself: 
What issues are most important to me? Do I want my donation to have a local, national, or global impact? What outcomes do I hope to see because of my contribution? 

Understanding your own priorities will help you choose a nonprofit whose mission resonates with you. Once you’ve defined your priorities, a simple Google search like “nonprofits that help stray dogs” or “charities that help veterans” should produce search results for charities that focus on what's most important to you.  

Research the Nonprofit’s Mission and Impact 
Once you’ve identified a few nonprofits that align with your interests, take the time to research their mission and the work they’re doing. A good nonprofit will clearly define its goals and have a transparent plan for achieving them. Look for organizations that are results-oriented and can demonstrate the impact of their work. 

Key things to look for: 
Mission statement: Does it clearly outline the organization’s purpose and objectives? 

Programs and services: Are their initiatives impactful and well-structured? Is there evidence on their site of current work being done such as website or social media updates?  

Outcomes: Can they show measurable results or success stories? 

Nonprofits should be able to explain how your donation will help them achieve their goals, whether it’s funding a specific program, providing specific support in underserved communities, or advancing research. 

Check Financial Transparency and Accountability 
Donors want to know that their contributions are being used wisely. One of the most important factors in choosing a nonprofit is its financial health. Look for organizations that are transparent about how they allocate funds, especially regarding administrative costs and program spending. 

A good rule of thumb is that at least 75% of donations should go directly toward programs and services, with a smaller portion covering administrative and fundraising costs. Many reputable nonprofits will provide access to their financials in annual reports or on websites like Guidestar, Charity Navigator, or BBB Wise Giving Alliance. 

Another layer of accountability is evidence of staff and board accountability. If one person is responsible for all decision-making, it can be a red flag. Consider that, most often, a group of people brainstorming, discussing, and making decisions is usually more productive and efficient than one person doing it alone. Board participation also makes it more likely there is financial transparency and accountability.   

When reviewing a nonprofit’s financials, check for: 

Program expense ratio: How much of the budget goes to direct services versus overhead? 

Annual reports: Do they provide clear, comprehensive reports detailing income and expenses? 

Accreditations and certifications: Is the organization accredited by trustworthy charity watchdogs? 

You can also view and verify tax filing information for organizations by using the IRS tax-exempt organization search tool.  

Evaluate the Nonprofit’s Reputation and Reviews 
Word of mouth and online reviews can also help you assess a nonprofit's credibility. Look for feedback from other donors, volunteers, or community members who have interacted with the organization. These testimonials can provide insight into the nonprofit’s trustworthiness and effectiveness. 

Here are some ways to evaluate an organization's reputation: 
Third-party reviews: Websites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and Charity Watch offer ratings, reviews, and detailed financial data for nonprofits.  
Social media presence: Does the nonprofit engage with supporters on social media, and do they have a positive reputation online? 
Donor testimonials: What do past/current donors and volunteers have to say about their experience with the organization? 

While online reviews aren’t always perfect, they can help you get a sense of the nonprofit’s impact and overall trustworthiness. You can also contact an organization through their website and present questions you may not have found answers to online.  

Look for Opportunities to Get Involved 
A well-functioning nonprofit often invites its supporters to become more than just donors—they encourage involvement and engagement. If you want to ensure your donation is being put to good use, consider getting more involved by volunteering, attending events, or joining their advocacy efforts. This level of engagement can give you a firsthand look at how the nonprofit operates and whether it aligns with your values. 

Here’s how to get involved: 
#1 Volunteering: Many nonprofits welcome volunteers to help with programs or fundraising. Often, smaller organizations have a need for people with technical skills like web design, so you may be able to use your professional skills and talents to help.  
#2 Attending events: Fundraisers, galas, or community events are great opportunities to meet staff and learn more about the organization. 
#3 Advocacy: Some nonprofits may invite you to participate in advocacy campaigns or awareness efforts. 

Engaging with the nonprofit gives you a deeper understanding of its operations, connects you with other like-minded volunteers and members of staff, and reinforces your confidence in supporting their work. 

Consider Recurring vs. One-Time Donations 
When deciding how much and how often to donate, consider whether you'd like to give a one-time donation or set up recurring contributions. Some nonprofits offer monthly giving programs that provide them with a reliable source of funding, which is often more valuable than one-time donations. If you're unsure about making a long-term commitment, many organizations allow you to donate for specific campaigns or projects, which can be a good way to test how the nonprofit manages funds. You should also be able to stop donations anytime with any organization should you change your mind at any point about your financial support.  

Questions to ask yourself: 
Would I prefer to make a one-time contribution or set up an automatic monthly donation? Does the nonprofit offer a way to designate my donation for a specific cause or project? 

Recurring donations can help organizations plan and sustain their programs, while one-time gifts are still valuable for funding urgent needs or specific projects. 

Trust Your Instincts 
Finally, trust your instincts when choosing a nonprofit. After doing your research, if something doesn’t feel right or if the organization is reluctant to provide information about its finances, activities, or impact, that could be a red flag. Don’t hesitate to ask questions or look for another nonprofit that is more transparent and trustworthy. Luckily, there are nearly 2 million registered U.S. nonprofits to choose from! 

When you donate to any organization, you should feel confident that your gift will have a meaningful and lasting impact. If a nonprofit is truly dedicated to its mission and operates with integrity, they will welcome your questions and provide the information you need to make an informed decision. 

Remember, the most high-functioning nonprofits are those that are transparent, accountable, and focused on creating meaningful change. Take the time to do your research, and you’ll feel confident knowing your donation is making a positive difference in the lives of those who need it most. 

Consider America's VetDogs!
America’s VetDogs mission is to provide enhanced mobility and renewed independence to veterans, active-duty service members, and first responders with disabilities, allowing them to once again live with pride and self-reliance. We specialize placing highly-skilled service and guide dogs to individuals with physical injuries, PTSD, hearing and vision loss, and seizures. Our organization operates with multiple decision-makers on staff, active board members, and has received accolades from several charity regulators like Charity Navigator, Charity Watch, BBB, and others. 

Volunteers are the lifeblood of our organization. There are a variety of ways to get involved in helping us accomplish our mission. Learn more about ways to get involved here.  

It costs $50,000 to breed, raise, train, and place one service dog. Thanks to people like you, we are able to provide our services at no cost to the individuals we are so honored to serve. Your donation empowers a veteran, active duty military, or first responder with a disability to Live Without Boundaries. Learn about our commitment to transparency and responsibility with donations by visiting our donation page.   

Donating to a nonprofit is an empowering way to make a difference in the world, but it's important to make sure your contributions are going to a responsible and effective organization. We wish you the best of luck in your search for the best nonprofit organization to support!