charity navigator

As you open your wallet for charity this holiday season (and throughout the year), do so carefully. It's estimated that charity fraud costs us up to $20 billion or more each year.

Despite a rough economy, Americans expect to spend 17% more than last year on holiday gifts. But with money tight for so many, it's more important than ever to be wary of scammers. Here are some of the most common scams you might encounter:

Human disasters like the Japan earthquake tend to bring out the worst in people. If there is any fraud as old as humanity, it may be a scam of compassion. The crippled, the wounded, the widow hunched over in her black cloak in the middle of Rome's ancient wonders: are they really who they seem to...

'Tis the season to give and receive, and retailers are getting into the holiday spirit by making donations and promoting volunteer work. While some retailers like Ann Taylor, Kohl's and Williams-Sonoma are donating a portion of customer's shopping proceeds to a charity; others like Walmart, Macy's...

An Indiana-based fund-raising company has agreed to stop asking for money from Iowa residents as part of a $10,000 settlement with the Iowa Attorney General's office. The Campaign Center and its president, Jonathan Wright, conduct telemarketing and fund-raising services for non-profit...

I don't know if anyone else has noticed, but amidst the usual doom and gloom in the news, there have been some uplifting tales of do-gooders making headlines for the way they've been giving money to the less-than-fortunate. It's been welcome news for the nonprofit industry. According to Sandra...

The online micro-finance charity Web site Kiva rose to be a shining non-profit success story in the recession years. It marries the trendiness of social entrepreneurship with an almost perfect combination of online applications. If you haven't used the site before (and, full disclosure, I've...

There's an abundance of charities in America working to fulfill a variety of missions. Because of the sheer number, several firms have stepped in to rate them. While their methods differ, these organizations are all trying to do one thing; help donors make informed decisions. Unfortunately it is...

There are plenty of excellent reasons to find a good charity to support. Charitable giving is beneficial for your country and your community. Some people even say that charity is good for you health. Being generous with a portion of our own financial blessings is also a great American tradition....