Being a do-gooder can be very rewarding — and we’re talking more than just warm-fuzzies here. Acting as a Good Samaritan can also help attract positive attention and new opportunities to your company. But before you hand over the cash, it’s crucial that you choose an organization that’s going to use your money for good, not to line someone's pocket. Charity Navigator is a nonprofit evaluator that has been assessing charitable organizations since 2001. Claiming to be the nation’s most expansive evaluator, it has rated more than 5,000 charities nationwide. Charity Navigator evaluates each group's financial well-being based on the efficiency of its day-to-day operations as well as its sustainability. Each charity is rated on a one to four star scale.
From animal rescue organizations to landmark preservation, Charity Navigator offers an ample amount of nonprofits to choose from. You can browse by category or search for specific charities by name, rating, location and more. Click on a charity and see its complete profile, including a mission statement and history as well as a breakdown of the organizations revenue and expenses. Each profile includes charts and figures that illustrate the charity’s financial status for the past five years. If you register with the site, you’ll also be able to view historical data and ratings for the past three years. To help simplify the decision process, Charity Navigator allows you to select up to five charities at once and compare them side-by-side. Once you’ve decided on the charity you want to give to, you can click the "donate now" button to submit a donation online.
As a registered Charity Navigator member, you can build a portfolio, share your charities with others and post comments about any of the charities on the site. Registration is completely free, so give it a try. You might be surprised at what you get in return.