Giving feels good, but it hurts when you realize your money went nowhere helpful.
Donating to a cause you care about is one of the most rewarding things you can do. But in the world of flashy fundraising campaigns and feel-good slogans, not every charity is what it claims to be. Some use donations irresponsibly, spending more on executive salaries or slick marketing than actual solutions. Others aren’t scams exactly—but they’re not making the impact you think they are either.
Before you give again, it’s worth taking a few minutes to make sure your money is going where it should. This isn’t about becoming cynical. It’s about making smarter choices so the causes you care about actually benefit. These 10 checks can help you feel confident that your generosity isn’t just padding someone’s expense account or disappearing into the void. Trust, but verify—because good intentions deserve real results.
1. Look up the charity’s rating on watchdog sites.
As stated by Malaysia Fogle of Thomson Reuters, sites like Charity Navigator, GuideStar, and the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance are built to help you spot the good from the shady. They break down how much money goes to programs versus overhead, how transparent the charity is, and how financially healthy it is overall.
If the charity you’re considering doesn’t show up—or has low ratings—pause before giving. These watchdogs do the homework for you, and checking them first can save you from supporting an organization that talks a good game but barely delivers.
2. Review the charity’s annual financial reports.
According to Nancy L. Anderson at Forbes, most legit charities post their IRS Form 990 or annual reports right on their website. These forms show how much they spend on fundraising, admin costs, and actual programs. You don’t need to be a CPA—just look at the big picture.
If the bulk of their spending isn’t going to the mission, that’s a red flag. A good rule of thumb: at least 70% of expenses should be going directly to services and programs. If it’s way lower, your money might not be doing much good.
3. Pay attention to vague language and emotional marketing.
As reported by the authors of the State of Tennessee’s Office of the Attorney General, some charities lean heavy on emotional buzzwords—“help us change lives,” “be a hero,” or “fight injustice”—without ever telling you exactly what they do. If you can’t quickly explain how the organization works or what they specifically fund, that’s a warning sign.
Legit charities are proud of their programs and results. They’ll tell you the who, what, and how. If everything’s vague and polished but light on substance, they’re probably more focused on getting your money than doing something meaningful with it.
4. Check how often they’re asking for donations.
If an organization emails, texts, or calls you constantly asking for money, they might be using aggressive fundraising tactics instead of focusing on impact. Nonprofits should respect their donors—not pressure them into guilt-giving on repeat.
Too many donation requests often point to an expensive marketing machine. That’s money they could be spending on the actual cause. If your inbox feels more like a subscription service than a charitable connection, it might be time to unsubscribe for good.
5. Ask where the money is going—specifically.
Don’t be shy about emailing or calling a charity to ask where donations go. A trustworthy organization will gladly walk you through how your money is used, what percentage supports programs, and what measurable impact they’re seeing.
If they dodge the question or give generic answers like “it supports our mission,” take that as a warning. Transparency should be part of their DNA. If they can’t explain what they do with your money, they probably shouldn’t have it.
6. Be cautious with trendy or viral fundraisers.
Some viral campaigns or social media fundraisers blow up fast, but lack structure or accountability. Emotional videos and celebrity endorsements can make an organization seem legit—even when it’s brand new, disorganized, or flat-out fake.
Just because something’s trending doesn’t mean it’s trustworthy. Before giving to a cause you saw online, check who’s running it, how long they’ve been active, and what third-party sources say about them. Hype fades fast, but financial damage sticks around.
7. Watch out for high executive salaries.
Leaders of large nonprofits do deserve to be paid—but if the CEO is raking in a seven-figure salary while the actual programs are struggling, that’s a problem. A huge salary might not be illegal, but it shows where the priorities are.
Compare their leadership pay to similar-sized charities. If they’re way out of line and their results aren’t equally impressive, that’s a clue your donation might be feeding luxury lifestyles instead of solutions.
8. Look for measurable outcomes, not just good intentions.
It’s easy to talk about “raising awareness,” but harder to show actual results. The best nonprofits post real data—number of people helped, services delivered, and long-term improvements made.
If all you see are feel-good stories and vague promises, be cautious. Good charities love showing their receipts. They want you to know your money made a real difference. And if they can’t prove it? You might be funding good intentions with no follow-through.
9. Be skeptical of high-pressure or guilt-based pitches.
If a charity makes you feel bad for hesitating—or uses phrases like “just $5 could save a life,” they might be playing more on emotion than ethics. That kind of messaging is designed to override logic with urgency.
Real impact takes time and strategy, not emotional manipulation. The best organizations respect your decision-making process and offer clear, calm reasons to give. If you feel emotionally cornered, walk away and research on your terms.
10. Avoid charities with lots of rebranding or name changes.
When a charity keeps changing its name or logo, it could be hiding past scandals, bad press, or shady leadership. Rebranding can be legit—but frequent changes or multiple aliases should make you dig deeper.
Check their past history and leadership team. Search for news articles or old watchdog reports. If they’re trying to scrub their reputation clean every year, chances are there’s something they don’t want you to know before you hit “donate.”