TL;DR: In the US, use resources like Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to check a charity's legitimacy and how it spends its funds before donating.
How to Verify a Charity Before You Donate — a clear, step-by-step guide to what to do and how long it takes.
Step 1: Check an independent charity evaluator
In the US, use resources like Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to check a charity's legitimacy and how it spends its funds before donating.
Step 2: Confirm its tax-exempt status
Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool to confirm a US charity is a registered 501(c)(3), which also lets you check its filings.
Step 3: Search the charity's exact name, not just what a caller tells you
Scammers often use names very similar to real, well-known charities — search the exact name plus 'scam' or 'complaints,' and go directly to the charity's own official website rather than a link sent to you.
Step 4: Be wary of high-pressure solicitations
Legitimate charities don't typically pressure you to donate immediately over the phone or demand payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Step 5: Donate directly through the charity's official website
Rather than clicking a link in an email, text, or social media post, navigate directly to the charity's known official website to make your donation.
If this looks similar to something else you've seen, it's worth reading How to Recover After Your SSN Is Used for Unemployment Fraud.
This pattern shows up elsewhere too — see How to Set Up a Credit Lock vs a Credit Freeze.
Frequently Asked Questions
Step 1: Check an independent charity evaluator
In the US, use resources like Charity Navigator, CharityWatch, or the BBB Wise Giving Alliance to check a charity's legitimacy and how it spends its funds before donating.
Step 2: Confirm its tax-exempt status
Use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search tool to confirm a US charity is a registered 501(c)(3), which also lets you check its filings.
Step 3: Search the charity's exact name, not just what a caller tells you
Scammers often use names very similar to real, well-known charities — search the exact name plus 'scam' or 'complaints,' and go directly to the charity's own official website rather than a link sent to you.
Step 4: Be wary of high-pressure solicitations
Legitimate charities don't typically pressure you to donate immediately over the phone or demand payment via gift card, wire transfer, or cryptocurrency.
Step 5: Donate directly through the charity's official website
Rather than clicking a link in an email, text, or social media post, navigate directly to the charity's known official website to make your donation.