I think that many of us would be glad to aid someone less fortunate than ourselves, or contribute to a cause that we care about, given the right circumstances. If we are financially able to help at the time, if we find something to contribute to that we believe in and that moves us to become involved, and if we are confident that our donation will actually reach who or what we are trying to better, then the choice to help is ours to make. If and when each of us gives is a personal matter, but it is possible to easily learn a great deal about which charity to choose, in order to make the best informed decision, and ensure that the greatest percentage of your donation reaches its intended recipient.

There are several independent national charity evaluation sites available to make this decision easier, Charity Navigator being the largest, best known and most comprehensive. Over 5400 of America’s largest charities are reviewed there, and the site is very easy to navigate (no pun intended). It only evaluates tax-exempt organizations, and does not review lobbying groups, religious organizations, private foundations, charities based outside the U.S., hospitals, universities, community foundations, PBS stations, charities newer than 4 years old, or those that receive less than $500,000 in public support. If you are looking to give within these parameters, then you can find a wealth of information to help make your decision.

Charities are rated based upon their organizational efficiency and capacity. Information from income statements, donor privacy policies, mission statements, and CEO compensation reporting is also included, as is a link to the charity’s own site. Charts featuring the percentage of donations that reach the charity’s beneficiaries figure prominently. Links to the rating pages of other charities doing similar types of work are also given. Charities can be browsed through by category, and the data resulting from the reviews is used to create many interesting top ten lists, highlighting such subjects as highly rated charities with low CEO pay, and those of the reverse, those in financial trouble, those stockpiling donation revenue, those most commented upon, and more. If you become a free registered user, you can also view historical data, comment on a charity, and save search results.

At the end of your research, you can actually contribute to the charity of your choice through Network for Good’s secure giving service, if you wish. Charity Navigator is a valuable resource that can help make the decision of which charity to give to an easy, informed and secure one.