Charity Check: 12 Questions to Ask Before You Give

Work through these twelve questions for any charity you're considering. Your answers save on this device, so you can come back after a phone call or two.

Charity name

It appears in the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, under its exact legal name.Search at apps.irs.gov/app/eos. Note the EIN and the city.
Its tax-exempt status has not been revoked.The same IRS search lists organizations that lost exemption, often for not filing returns three years running.
I found its latest Form 990 (or 990-EZ / 990-N) and it's recent.Check the IRS search, Candid (GuideStar) or ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer.
Program spending makes sense for the kind of work it does.Look at Part IX of the 990. There's no magic percentage; compare with similar groups.
Leadership pay looks reasonable for its size.Part VII of the 990 lists officers, directors and top-paid staff.
It's registered to solicit donations in my state, if my state requires it.Find your state's charity office through NASCO (nasconet.org).
An independent evaluator has reviewed it, with no serious concerns.For example BBB Wise Giving Alliance (give.org) or Charity Navigator.
Its website clearly explains what it does, where, and what it accomplished.Look for specific results, not just stories and photos.
It names its board of directors, and the board is independent.A board made up mostly of family members is a warning sign.
No pressure: nobody pushed me to give immediately.Real charities welcome gifts next week too.
It accepts safe payment methods (card or check to the charity's own name).Never cash, gift cards, wire transfers or cryptocurrency to an individual.
It provides receipts and written acknowledgments.You need one for any single gift of $250 or more to claim a deduction.

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Need help with a step? How to Check a Charity walks through each lookup, and How to Read a Form 990 shows which lines matter.