Here are some tips for donating to charity, now or at any time (adapted from Consumer Reports):
- If you plan on claiming your donation on your tax return, make sure the charity you’re interested in is tax-exempt.
- Watch out for sound-alikes. It’s not uncommon for low-rated charities to select names similar to high-rated charities.
- When possible, give directly to the charity itself rather than a professional fundraiser or other go-between.