What should you do before donating to a charity?

The best course of action before making a donation to a charity is to research the charity, verify its legitimacy, and request written information. This approach ensures that you are contributing to an organization that is credible and effective in its mission.

Researching a charity allows you to examine its track record, understand how donations are used, and evaluate its impact on the community it serves. Verifying legitimacy helps you avoid scams or organizations that may not allocate resources effectively or transparently. Requesting written information, such as financial statements or annual reports, provides further insight into how the charity operates and how it manages funds.

Acting with due diligence in this manner protects your financial contributions and ensures that they are directed towards causes that genuinely align with your values and intentions. This practice promotes informed giving and contributes to the overall health of the charitable sector.