Donors

More than 200 charities put cancer in their title, but there is only one American Cancer Society. Others may be legit, but the others need to be carefully scrutinized. Fortunately, there is help. Give.org rates charities according to their standards and provides vital help to big and little donors. Give.org is the new site of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance formed by the merger of the National Charities Information Bureau and the Council of Better Business Bureaus' Foundation and it's Philanthropic Advisory Service.

Aside from the trustworthiness of the organization, there is also the question of its mission and whether it will make good use of your money. The larger the amount you give, the more you can designate its use. Take the Everetts' for example, click here to learn more about their giving.

But even if you are not giving huge sums, you can designate use. United Way giving for example allows you to designate donors. Giving to your college or school also does the same.

See more about this in Chapter 5 of How You Can Help.