The team from Charity Navigator, the nation's largest independent charity evaluator and leading donor advocate, shares their thoughts on emerging nonprofit-sector issues and offers tips to better inform your intelligent giving decisions.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
What in philanthropy in 2014 was a stand out moment for you? As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
This year's New Year’s Eve party in New York will be featuring a charity for the
first time. The International Rescue Committee has been designated a partner for the celebration and
representatives of the organization will assist with the start of the famous Times Square ball drop.
The organizers of the event thought it was an appropriate time to
showcase an organization like this as many refugees have been displaced this
year due to wars and conflicts abroad.
It is expected to be an opportunity for some great exposure for an
organization that was founded in 1933. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Your gifts to charity are an expression of your generosity and commitment to solving the problems that threaten our society. Even if your intentions are 100% altruistic, Uncle Sam still rewards your charitable endeavors by making these gifts tax-deductible. But remember you must make your donation by December 31 to claim the tax deduction on your 2014 taxes.
Go To Holiday Giving Guide Go To Tax Benefits of Giving As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
We continued to speak out as an advocate for donors.
Join the thousands donors who have already given to Charity Navigator in 2014 and Donate Now to ensure our accomplishments are just as plentiful in the new year. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Given the altruistic spirit of the year-end holidays, we know that many Americans are making important decisions about which charities to support right now. In fact, many charities report that they get as much as 1/2 of their annual gifts from individuals between Thanksgiving and New Years. All this giving makes it critical that donors have access to the most current data available. That's why, our team, which is fully dedicated to helping you, America's generous donors, make informed giving decisions, has been so busy these last few weeks. The result of all that effort is our holiday gift to you - the release of hundreds of updated ratings today.
We wish you nothing but the best in all of your charitable endeavors this holiday season.
Happy Holidays from Charity Navigator!
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Just this week, the Senate signed off on legislation that reinstates retroactively many expired tax provisions. One of those provisions is the IRA charitable rollover. If you aren't familiar with the IRA Charitable Rollover, it allows individuals 70 1/2 or older to distribute up to $100,000 from an IRA to a qualifying charity. While taxpayers can't claim a charitable deduction for such gifts, they don't have to count the gift as taxable income. Sadly, this tax provision will expire again on January 1. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
In the following segment, personal finance reporter, Ric Romero, reminds viewers to check out charities before they donate their hard-earned money. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Stop stressing over what to get everyone on that long list and spread some joy by donating to a highly-rated charity in honor of someone you love. Go to our site now and pick out a charity to support that will make you and the person you are giving in honor of, feel good this holiday season.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Don't let scammers get their hands on your charitable donations. Use our free app to check out charities before you give!
Download Charity Navigator's Android or Apple app now. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Vetting charities is our full-time job. We do this because we know most donors are
simply too busy with their work, family and other responsibilities to take on
the daunting task of digging through and analyzing nonprofit data. So, our
staff works hard, year-round to ensure you have access to the most current data
available on thousands of charities. And that’s why we’ve posted five easy to follow steps to ensure you can quickly and easily donate to worthy charities
that match your philanthropic passion. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
"Money can buy you happiness -- all you need to figure out is how to give it away intelligently."
We couldn't agree more! And Charity Navigator is here to help you be smart about how you donate your hard-earned money. Our site is full of tipsand thousands of charity ratings. So, what are you waiting for? Go give your money to a worthy charity now! As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
In the spring of 2002, we launched with data-driven ratings of 1,115 of America's largest charities. At the time, no one had ever attempted to evaluate, in any fashion, more than 500 organizations. This month, Charity Navigator is proud to announce thatwe now rate more than 8,000 charities!
See if your favorite charity was updated this month or rated for the first time. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Every year, we hear from donors who want to know which charities are dedicated to making the holiday season merry and bright for families in need. There are many charities that provide clothing, meals, toys and other goods to disadvantaged families so that they might experience the joy of the year-end giving season. Below is a list of just some of the 3 and 4-star charities that offer such programs, along with a brief explanation of the services they offer.* Click on the charity's name to access its contact information and review its Charity Navigator rating.
Collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to less fortunate children in the community in which the campaign is conducted.
Purchases brand new items in sufficient quantities to offer a variety of age- and gender-appropriate choices. In December, the charity invites parents and guardians of children that are qualified to receive certain benefits through the Division of Family and Children Services to visit Santa's Village and select gifts for their children.
Provides gifts to the needy during the holidays and throughout the year.
*This isn't an all-inclusive list of charities offering such services. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Support Our Troops If you are passionate about helping veterans, injured military personnel and their families, then consult our list of military-related charities before you write a check.
Black Friday. Cyber Monday. #GivingTuesday! #GivingTuesday is a simple idea. All you need to do is find a way for your family, your community, your company or your organization to join in acts of giving. Then tell everyone you can about what you are doing and why it matters. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Happy Thanksgiving from all of us at Charity Navigator!
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Thanksgiving to New Year's is the biggest time of year for charitable giving. If you are among the millions of Americans who plan to give this holiday season, then be sure to follow our 5 steps to ensure you make the most of your year-end giving.
Top 5 Tips For Maximizing Year-End Donations
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Did you know you have the power to double or even triple
your donation to Charity Navigator? We are partnering with Double the Donation to make it possible for you to garner matching gifts from your employer.
But, we cant do it without you.
Here's how to make your donation go further.
Make a donation to Charity Navigator.
Once you donation is complete, you will
be prompted to provide your employer's name which will give you instant access
to information about it's matching gifts program.
You can also go directly to
our donation page and enter your employer's name in the Double the Donation form or use the tool below to see if your
company matches gifts. If you find your employer's name there, you will
find information on how to apply for the matching gift.
A matching gift can be applied to almost any gift made with the current calendar year so inquire today!
To learn more about the magic of matching gifts, click here or contact our staff with any questions or for help in applying for the matching gift.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
For
many of us, the holiday season is the busiest time of the year. From decorating,
to shopping, to visiting friends and family, our “to-do” lists runneth over. It
is also the time of year we feel most altruistic and motivated to give back. So
how are you supposed to find the time to find a worthy cause to support?
Never
fear, Charity Navigator is here with a new, updated app designed to take the hassle
out of holiday donating.
Make the most of your time while on the road
to grandma’s house or while waiting on line at the store and use our app to quickly identify
highly-rated charities that match your philanthropic interest. Now you really
have no excuse not to do your research to ensure the charities you support this
year-end are on the ‘nice’ and not the ‘naughty’ list.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Of all the festivities associated with the winter holidays, the one thing many people look forward to most is the big holiday meal. Whether it’s turkey on Thanksgiving, a Christmas ham, or a pot roast at a Hanukah dinner, food is indelibly intertwined with our holiday celebrations. Before you donate to a charity promising to provide holiday meals, check out our three tips to ensure that most of your donation is covering the cost of a meal programs and not the expensive advertisements used to promote these programs. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Year-end giving will be in full swing in just a few weeks. And a recent article in The Des Moines Register did a good job explaining the benefits of donating appreciated assets. The article sums it up with the following example:
Let's say Scott is in the 25 percent federal tax bracket and has $5,000 in appreciated stock he wants to donate. If he sells the stock and donates the proceeds from the sale, he will only end up donating $4,250. The other $750 is used to pay long-term capital-gains taxes at the 15 percent rate. Plus, even though Scott sold $5,000 worth of stock, he can only deduct $4,250.
Instead, if Scott donates the shares directly to the charity, there are no capital-gains taxes, and he can deduct the full $5,000. Even better, the charity will not have to pay any capital-gains taxes when it sells the donated stock.
Visit our site for more information about the Tax Benefits of Giving. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Fox 4 in Kansas City recently ran this segment about a 'charity,' called Carshelpingvets.org, that spends the vast majority of what it takes in on running its operations... not on veterans in need. Sadly, just as the leader of this organization points out in the segment, it isn't unusual for a car donation charity to be woefully inefficient. So, before you donate your car, check out our tips to ensure your gift enriches a charity and not the middleman.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Some charities are so inefficient that they fail to
even apply one third of their budget toward their mission (when we find such groups, they automatically are assigned a 0-star rating).
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
The short answer, as WSOC TV investigates in the following video, is "No!" That's because often these fundraisers are run by outside, for-profit firms that keep a large percentage of what they raise. Even more troubling, is that many parents are reporting that it is nearly impossible to find out just what that percentage is.
So, parents out there, what do you do when these appeals come home, often promising the kids big prizes if they sell, sell, sell? I can tell you that in my house, my kids have learned not to even bring those packages home. They know that I don't support the messaging that comes with the prize packs- that fundraising isn't about giving, but rather about what you can get out of it. And they've learned that we're not going to pester our neighbors and loved ones into buying chocolate that their waistlines don't need or into buying wrapping paper that's ten time the cost of that found at the dollar store. Instead, we cut out the middleman and make a direct contribution to the PTA / sports team and get on with our day.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
We get a lot of questions about donating. For example, one we often hear, "the CEO's salary of my favorite charity seems high, should I make a contribution?" Check out our FAQs for the answer to this question and others. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
TV station WFMY recently ran a story providing a nice overview of how Charity Navigator can help you make informed year-end (and really all year long) donations. Good timing on their part as we know that charities receive as much as 1/2 of their annual gifts between Thanksgiving and New Years. However, I'd like to clarify one thing in their segment. That is, if we don't yet rate a nonprofit that's of interest to you, then you can still find basic information about it (see the unrated organization tab in the search results) on our site. We also include a set of tips to help you conduct your own review.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Charity Navigator is collaborating with Two Parrot Productions (a video production company that specializes in creating compelling mini-documentaries for non-profit organizations) to help them select THREE charities to receive 100% pro-bono video production grants for 2015.
Watch this short video to learn more. And if you think your charity exhibits innovation, creativity, and future-thinking, then visit Two Parrot Productions' website to apply for a video grant
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Today, with Guidestar and the BBB Wise Giving Alliance, Charity Navigator published a letter inviting the nonprofits of America to do their part to focus donors’ attention on what really matters: a charity's efforts to make the world a better place (which we are beginning to track via our Results Reporting methodology).
Read the full letter that asks nonprofits and the social sector at large to join us as we move toward an Overhead Solution.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
For those of you who are looking for some assistance in evaluating CEO compensation, we've recently published our 2014 CEO Compensation Study. It shows the median compensation and raise for the leaders of mid to large sized charities and includes details on how pay varies by location, charitable mission and organizational size. The end of the report, like this video, offers tips for evaluating your favorite charity’s compensation practices.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Although Charity Navigator is a small charity, we have technology-related expenses similar to that of a large, commercial website. While we may not need the thousands of programmers that Google and Facebook employ, we do need more than the two programmers we currently have on staff. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
There are 1,000s of charities competing for donations to continue their efforts to promote awareness and to cure breast cancer. How is a donor supposed to distinguish between them all?
Check out our list of breast cancer related charities - from those rated 4-stars to those on our Donor Advisory list. As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
Just how much does the typical mid to large-sized charity's CEO earn? Did he/she see an increase in pay from 2011 to 2012? How does CEO pay vary by location, mission and budget?
Our latest CEO Compensation Study answers these questions and offers some tips for evaluating your favorite charity's compensation practices.
Read the Study Now As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
I always get a kick out of the creative photos posted by some of our 4-star charities as they celebrate their achievement.
As a 501 (c) (3) organization itself, Charity Navigator depends on public support to help donors make informed choices. Please consider investing in the future of Charity Navigator by making a donation today. Donate now >>
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