Finding the right place to donate your time, money, or other goods and items is no easy task. According to Charity Navigator President and CEO Michael Thatcher, a good place to start is finding a charity that aligns with what you care about. “It’s always important to start with the mission statement and ask yourself ‘Is this aspiration my aspiration?’” he says. Here are our picks for charities that help children to support during the holidays. “We all want to change the world. And the reality is we’re going to do it in discrete bits,” Thatcher shares. So make sure those discrete bits are accessible and important to you.
Impact
Before donating, do some research into where your donation or donated item will go and what impact you will have. This is easier done with smaller charities who can provide feedback on donations or gift-giving charities where your item goes to one specific child or family. While it may be harder to track your donation in a large foundation, take the time to research what donations go towards and ensure you feel good about spending your money in this way. “Impact is a result of a clear mission followed by good execution,” says Thatcher. “Is there a logical tie between what they say they do and the outcomes they produce?”
Need
Many charities at different times the of year will disclose what kind of help they need at this time. During Christmas time, gifts, blankets, or canned food may be a priority for charities (while monetary donations are always important). Consider a charity’s need as well as your own accessibility to presents or other donated items when narrowing down your choices.
Transparency
When choosing a charity to support, consider the transparency of the organization. “If you call a charity and you ask them how they’re going to spend your money, they ought to be able to answer,” says Thatcher. Online tools like Charity Navigator offer some insight into the leadership, culture, and finances of charities to ensure their mission statement and their impact align. Consider how transparent charities are about their donations, their impact, and even how they treat your personal information, says Thatcher, to ensure you are making the right charitable choice.
Why Trust the Spruce?
This article was written by Julia Fields, a lifestyle writer for The Spruce covering all things surrounding toys, gifts, and the holidays since October 2021. Before that, she covered similar topics including toy reviews, product roundups, expert-focused articles, and more. Expert advice was provided by Michael Thatcher, president and CEO of Charity Navigator.
