GIVE

How do you evaluate a charity or social welfare group? Start with GuideStar's Tips for Choosing a Charity. Then use GuideStar's searchable database of not-for-profit organizations to locate a financial snapshot and recent IRS filings, if any are available. Free registration is required for access to the Form 990's.

Another good site for tracking not-for-profit organizations (but fewer than at GuideStar) is Charity Navigator, with its comparison charts with similar organizations.

The American Institute of Philanthropy also provides advice on giving through its Charity Rating Guide which must be ordered by mail. Top-Rated Charities are listed online but details are only in the printed Guide.

Of course, you should be aware of fraudulent charities; consult the U.S. Federal Trade Commission's "Operation Phoney Philanthropy" page, which lists some organizations currently under investigation in various states.

To see if charity or not-for-profit organization is tax-exempt (and your donations therefore tax-deductible), consult the Internal Revenue Service's online Search for Charities. The New Jersey Attorney General's Office maintains a Directory of Registered Charities in this state; agencies in other states may be located through the National Association of State Charity Officials.

Finally, you can consult the Council of New Jersey Grantmakers, which evaluates local charities and funnels grants to them. The Council's members are listed here by Type of Grantmaking Organization.