Frequently asked questions

The Giving Directory is a curated database of highly-rated charities across multiple cause areas. We aggregate ratings and information from trusted charity evaluators like GiveWell, Charity Navigator, and Animal Charity Evaluators to help donors make informed giving decisions.

Unlike charity evaluators, we don't conduct our own research. Instead, we compile and present information from established sources in an easy-to-navigate format, saving you time in your charity research.

We include charities that have received positive ratings from reputable charity evaluators. Our inclusion criteria include:

• Recommendation or high rating from at least one established evaluator
• Active operations and current programs
• Available financial and impact information
• Track record of at least 2-3 years of operation

We prioritize charities with evidence of effectiveness and transparency, though the specific standards vary by evaluator and cause area.

No, we are completely independent. We don't receive payment from charities to be listed in our directory, nor do we receive commissions on donations. Our mission is to provide unbiased information to help donors make informed decisions.

We're also not affiliated with the charity evaluators whose ratings we feature. We simply aggregate publicly available information from their websites and research.

We strive to update our directory regularly to reflect the latest ratings and charity information. However, ratings from evaluators themselves are typically updated annually or semi-annually, depending on the organization.

We recommend checking the original evaluator's website for the most current information before making a donation, especially for time-sensitive ratings or recommendations.

Different evaluators use different rating systems:

• GiveWell Top Charities: Organizations offering exceptional impact per dollar in global health and poverty alleviation, backed by rigorous evidence
• Charity Navigator Scores (0-100): Data-driven ratings based on financial health, accountability, transparency, and impact. Scores of 90+ indicate 4-star charities
• ACE Top/Recommended Charities: Animal welfare organizations demonstrating exceptional effectiveness in reducing animal suffering
• Other Evaluators: Various organizations use qualitative assessments and specialized methodologies

Check our footer legend for quick reference, or visit the original evaluator websites for detailed methodology information.

Not necessarily. While "Top Charity" designations indicate exceptional effectiveness, other highly-rated charities also do excellent work. Consider these factors:

• Cause preference: You might care deeply about a cause that doesn't have a "top" charity designation
• Geographic focus: Local impact may be important to you even if global charities are more cost-effective
• Funding gaps: Sometimes lesser-known charities need funding more urgently
• Personal connection: Your engagement and understanding of a charity's work matters

The goal is finding the right balance between effectiveness, your values, and your giving priorities.

While the often-cited "rule" is that 70-80% should go to programs, this isn't always the best measure of charity quality. Context matters:

• Newer charities often need higher overhead to build infrastructure
• Some effective programs require significant research and evaluation costs
• Advocacy organizations may have lower "program" percentages but achieve high-impact policy changes
• Very low overhead (below 15%) might indicate underinvestment in crucial operations

Focus on overall effectiveness and impact rather than overhead alone. A charity spending 75% on programs with moderate impact isn't necessarily better than one spending 65% with exceptional results.

To verify a charity's legitimacy:

1. Check IRS status: Search the IRS Tax Exempt Organization database to confirm 501(c)(3) status
2. Review Form 990: Access their tax return on GuideStar, ProPublica's Nonprofit Explorer, or the charity's website
3. Visit their website: Legitimate charities have professional websites with clear mission statements, program details, and contact information
4. Check evaluator sites: Look them up on Charity Navigator, GuideStar, or BBB Wise Giving Alliance
5. Search for news: Google the charity name plus "scandal" or "controversy" to check for red flags

Be wary of charities that pressure you to donate immediately, refuse to provide detailed information, or request unusual payment methods like cash or wire transfers.

Yes, in many cases. Some of the most effective charities are less well-known because they focus on their work rather than marketing and brand building. High ratings from credible evaluators indicate:

• The charity has undergone rigorous evaluation
• Their programs demonstrate measurable impact
• Financial practices meet high standards
• They operate transparently and accountably

That said, it's always wise to do your own research. Read the evaluator's full review, check the charity's website, and review their Form 990 before donating.

GiveWell and Charity Navigator use very different approaches:

GiveWell:

• Focuses exclusively on global health and poverty
• Intensive research on cost-effectiveness (lives saved per dollar)
• Recommends only a handful of top charities (typically 8-12)
• Emphasizes evidence from randomized controlled trials

Charity Navigator:

• Evaluates charities across all cause areas
• Rates thousands of charities using standardized metrics
• Focuses on financial health, transparency, and accountability
• Provides numerical scores (0-100) for easy comparison

Both are valuable but serve different purposes. GiveWell is ideal if you want to maximize impact in global health/poverty. Charity Navigator helps if you're researching a specific charity or comparing organizations in other cause areas.

No. The Giving Directory is purely an informational resource. We don't process donations, handle payments, or store any financial information. When you click through to donate, you'll be taken directly to the charity's official website or a trusted donation platform they use.

Always verify you're on the correct website before entering payment information. Look for "https://" in the URL and check that the domain matches the official charity website.

"Room for more funding" refers to whether a charity can effectively use additional donations. Some indicators include:

• Stated funding gaps: Many charities publish their funding needs in annual reports
• Expansion plans: Growing programs or new locations indicate capacity for more funding
• Evaluator notes: GiveWell specifically assesses room for more funding in their reviews
• Current funding status: Charities operating near capacity may have limited room for growth

If you're making a large donation, consider contacting the charity directly to discuss how they would use additional funds and whether they have capacity to expand effectively.

There are good arguments for both approaches:

Concentrating your donation:

• Larger gifts may have more impact if a charity needs significant funding for a specific project
• Simpler tax recordkeeping
• Potentially stronger relationship with one organization

Diversifying your donation:

• Supports multiple causes you care about
• Spreads risk if one charity has unexpected problems
• Allows you to support different types of intervention

For effectiveness, focus your giving on the most impactful charities in your chosen cause area rather than splitting donations too thinly across many organizations.

Yes! We welcome suggestions for highly-rated charities that aren't yet in our directory. To suggest a charity:

1. Visit our Contact page
2. Include the charity name and website
3. Specify any ratings or recommendations they've received from established evaluators
4. Explain why you think they should be included

We review all suggestions but can only add charities that meet our inclusion criteria and have ratings from recognized evaluators. We'll prioritize charities that fill gaps in our current coverage.

We strive to keep our information current, but with 113 charities and multiple data points, some information may occasionally be outdated. If you notice an error or outdated information:

1. Please contact us through our Contact page
2. Specify which charity and what information needs updating
3. Include a source for the correct information if possible

We appreciate your help in maintaining accuracy and will update the information as quickly as possible.