Is there a good website to determine if a charity is worthy?

[baby_bear]

I have recently received please for donations from two very different organizations, both of which tug at my heartstrings, but I know nothing about either. One is Paralyzed Veterans of America; the other is Alley Cat Allies (an organization to suport feral cats).

If anyone knows about these organizations, I'd appreciate your opinions, but I'm really looking for a web site that might provide some objective information about charitable organizations in general. My giving budget is limited, and I want to make sure it doesn't go to some crackpot organization.

Thanks!
b_b

[InternalDialogue]

1. I've used this one in the past:

http://www.charitynavigator.org/

[Suich]

2. I just checked out PVA earlier tonight.

Go to their site: http://www.pva.org/site/PageServer?pagename=support_main

Click on "About PVA" at the top; scroll down a bit and click on "Frequently Asked Questions." Their administrative costs are very low, and I like the labels they sent me!

:hi:

[baby_bear]

3. Thanks, Suich

The info about admin costs are good. I'm going to also check out the charity site. If I find out anything useful/informative, I'll post here again right away.

b_b

[Suich]

8. Uh-oh...check this site out.

http://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm/bay/search.summary/orgid/3715.htm

They're not rated very high.

I give to Food Lifeline....4 stars

[sce56]

4. How about the Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability

Better Business Bureau's Standards for Charity Accountability.
http://charityreports.give.org/Public/Report.aspx?CharityID=1094
That direct link is to the site my sister is using in her fund raising for the
The Leukemia and Lymphoma Society see her appeal for donations here
http://www.active.com/donate/tntnca04/tntncaEMcClel

[sce56]

7. Also see the site about kids with Leukemia

http://mysite.verizon.net/bearaway/BoyAndGirl.html

[greeneyedboy]

5. guidestar.org is the big one i'm familiar with.

[baby_bear]

10. Thanks, greeneyedboy

I had not heard of this one. I'll check it out. One has to be careful, especially when one's heartstrings
are being tugged at....

b_b

[dubykc]

6. dupe

[baby_bear]

9. whaddya mean, dupe?

This is an original question (on my part) and I am getting very good feedback here.

No dupe!

b_b

[Kiouni]

11. if your worried about cats

donate to www.bonsaikitten.com

[applegrove]

12. See if you can donate to Bill & Melinda GAtes. They do great stuff.

Research for African agricultural revolution and diseases. That is what I would do. Or find something local...

[InternalDialogue]

13. baby_bear, in addition to the Charity Navigator

that I threw at you last night, I thought maybe IAVA might have more information. I donate to their cause and have bought some merchandise from them in the past, so I wrote their general contact this morning and asked your question to them. If they respond to me with any info about Paralyzed Veterans of America, I will post their response here (or PM you, if you prefer).