Charity Articles

Turkey & Syria Earthquakes: See Our List of The Best Charities & Donate Now

February 07, 2023

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Turkey & Syria Earthquakes: See Our List of The Best Chariti...

Feb 07, 2023

See CharityWatch's list of Top-Rated charities providing emergency aid to victims of earthquakes in Turkey & Syria. ...

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This Charity May Not Use Your Donation for 19 Years!

Feb 03, 2023

This charity could continue to operate at its 2021 cash spending level for 19 years without raising another penny in donations or other revenue...

This charity could continue to operate at its 2021 cash spending level for 19 years without raising another penny in donations or ...

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Solar Cookers International Charity Rating

Feb 03, 2023

CharityWatch is pleased to announce that we have recently added Solar Cookers International to our charity ratings based on our analysis of its audited financial statements and IRS tax Form 990 for the fiscal year ended ...

CharityWatch is pleased to announce that we have recently added Solar Cookers International to our charity ratings based...

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Damar Hamlin's Chasing M's Foundation: What to Know About Yo...

Jan 16, 2023

245,000 donors propel a $2,500 charity into an $8.7 million one practically overnight. So what will happen to the donations? Here's what to know.

245,000 donors propel a $2,500 charity into an $8.7 million one practically overnight. So what will happen to the donations? Here'...

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In Honor of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Jan 13, 2023

On Monday, January 16, 2023, we celebrate the life and work of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of this holiday, those who wish to donate to a charity can view CharityWatch's list of Top-Rated ...

On Monday, January 16, 2023, we celebrate the life and work of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. In honor of...

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Happy Lohri! CharityWatch Adds Rating of Sikh Coalition

Jan 13, 2023

Lohri is a popular folk festival celebrated primarily in Northern India, particularly by the people of the Punjab region, and marks the passing of the winter solstice. This ancient tradition is celebrated with singing, dancing, li...

Lohri is a popular folk festival celebrated primarily in Northern India, particularly by the people of the Punjab region, and mark...

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Over $6.1 Million Payout to Nonprofit Executive Director

Jan 12, 2023

This nonprofit executive director, who left the organization in 2019, received $6,183,381 in reportable compensation in 2021.

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Journalists Consult CharityWatch for Independent Commentary ...

Jan 09, 2023

From advice on giving in a crisis to expert analysis of complex charity finances, CharityWatch is a valuable resource for the media and general public alike. Here is a sampling of our many contributions to TV, radio, podcast, and ...

From advice on giving in a crisis to expert analysis of complex charity finances, CharityWatch is a valuable resource for the medi...

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Charity Tax Deduction Tips 2022

Dec 27, 2022

Many generous people regularly donate to the causes they believe in irrespective of any potential tax benefits. Take advantage of tax deductions if you can and give generously if you are able....

Many generous people regularly donate to the causes they believe in irrespective of any potential tax benefits. Take advantage of ...

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Charity Checkout Donations 101

Dec 27, 2022

"If everything's above board, that store is really just acting like an agent...they're really just taking your money and then at some point in the future passing it on to the charity," CharityWatch executive director, Laurie Styro...

"If everything's above board, that store is really just acting like an agent...they're really just taking your money and then at s...

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College Football Bowl Game Executives Enjoy High Compensatio...

Dec 20, 2022

Compensation for many college football bowl game executives has either increased or decreased only slightly despite revenue declines coinciding with the COVID-19 pandemic, according to USA TODAY Sports. ...

Compensation for many college football bowl game executives has either increased or decreased only slightly despite revenue declin...

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Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation Receives $65 Million Ple...

Dec 14, 2022

Prior to being downgraded to a "C-" rating due to maintaining 4.2 years of available assets in reserve, Marine Corps Scholarship Foundation earned a "B-" financial efficiency rating from CharityWatch for fiscal 2020....

Prior to being downgraded to a "C-" rating due to maintaining 4.2 years of available assets in reserve, Marine Corps Scholarship F...

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Find The Best Charities This Hanukkah!

Dec 12, 2022

Happy Hanukkah! Find a Top-Rated charity to donate to this holiday season. For those donors interested in supporting a charity in CharityWatch's Jewish & Israel category, please visit our list of Top-Rated charities in th...

Happy Hanukkah! Find a Top-Rated charity to donate to this holiday season. For those donors interested in supporting a charit...

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Store Checkout Charity Donations

Dec 10, 2022

There are significant downsides to donating to charity in a store checkout line. Any time a donor puts a third party in between their donation and a charity, it increases the chances that their money could get diverted for some ot...

There are significant downsides to donating to charity in a store checkout line. Any time a donor puts a third party in between th...

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Joint Costs: Avoid This Popular Charity Accounting Trick!

Dec 09, 2022

In nonprofit financial reporting, the funds spent on telemarketing, direct mail, or other solicitation activities that also include an "action step" or "call to action" are referred to as "Joint Costs." Many charities report such ...

In nonprofit financial reporting, the funds spent on telemarketing, direct mail, or other solicitation activities that also includ...

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WTTW Chicago Tonight CharityWatch Interview

Dec 01, 2022

CharityWatch Executive Director, Laurie Styron, is interviewed by Brandis Friedman on WTTW's Chicago Tonight program alongside Patrick Rooney, a professor of economics and philanthropic studies at Indiana University's Lilly F...

CharityWatch Executive Director, Laurie Styron, is interviewed by Brandis Friedman on WTTW's Chicago Tonight program alongside Pat...

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Reactive Donors Make Mistakes

Nov 30, 2022

"Styron says the best advice she can give to avoid charity scams, especially during the holidays, is to be proactive. 'Be proactive because when we're reactive, we make mistakes. The number one reason people donate is because they...

"Styron says the best advice she can give to avoid charity scams, especially during the holidays, is to be proactive. 'Be proactiv...

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Avoiding Charity Scams During The Holiday Giving Season

Nov 30, 2022

"This is peak time for scammers, some of them being professionals who do scamming as a full-time job. This means that all of us have to be on extra alert this time of year."

"This is peak time for scammers, some of them being professionals who do scamming as a full-time job. This means that all of us ha...

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Is This Charity 'Legit'?

Nov 29, 2022

Is this charity "legit"? Or, more correctly, is this charity "legitimate"? This is one of the most common questions asked by donors. And yet, what a donor defines as a "legit charity" may be vastly different from what is required ...

Is this charity "legit"? Or, more correctly, is this charity "legitimate"? This is one of the most common questions asked by donor...

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Giving Tuesday TV Interview: Holiday Giving Tips With KOAA C...

Nov 29, 2022

Laurie Styron is interviewed by KOAA 5's Patrick Nelson about how to find the best charities while avoiding scams this Giving Tuesday and throughout the holiday giving season. Don't waste your donations!

Laurie Styron is interviewed by KOAA 5's Patrick Nelson about how to find the best charities while avoiding scams this Giving Tues...

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Happy Thanksgiving From CharityWatch

Nov 24, 2022

A very happy Thanksgiving 2022 from CharityWatch! As you prepare for Giving Tuesday, consider the best charities to donate to by viewing our Top-Rated list.

A very happy Thanksgiving 2022 from CharityWatch! As you prepare for Giving Tuesday, consider the best charities to donate to by v...

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Givers Give, Scammers Scam: How to Avoid Bad Charities

Nov 24, 2022

CharityWatch Executive Director, Laurie Styron, talks to Here & Now (National Public Radio) to prepare donors for Thanksgiving, Giving Tuesday, and the busy holiday giving season.

CharityWatch Executive Director, Laurie Styron, talks to Here & Now (National Public Radio) to prepare donors for Thanksgiving...

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Crowdfunding: The Wild West of Charitable Giving

Nov 24, 2022

"...[C]rowdfunding campaigns [are] the 'Wild West of charity fundraising... Good intentions mixed with hubris is a dangerous combination,' Styron said." Crowdfunding: Don't Rely on the Wisdom of the Crowd. ...

"...[C]rowdfunding campaigns [are] the 'Wild West of charity fundraising... Good intentions mixed with hubris is a dangerous combi...

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5 Steps For Informed Giving

Nov 22, 2022

Giving Tuesday is only a reminder. Every day is a good day to support the charitable causes that are important to you. Find a CharityWatch Top-Rated charity to support...

Giving Tuesday is only a reminder. Every day is a good day to support the charitable causes that are important to you. Find a Char...

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