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HOW TO EVALUATE A CHARITY
Appeals for financial and material donations are solicited by countless charitable organizations. Donors who want to research a charity before donating have several options.
PUBLIC CHARITIES INFORMATION UNIT
All charities soliciting donations from Connecticut residents are required to register with the Public Charities Information Unit administered by the State of Connecticut Office of the Attorney General and the State of Connecticut Department of Consumer Protection (DCP). Connecticut residents can call the Public Charities Information Unit at (860) 808-5030. Further information can also be found at the Attorney General’s web site: http://www.cslib.org/attygenl/mainlinks/tabindex8.htm or the DCP web site: http://www.ct.gov/dcp/cwp/view.asp?a=1629&q=274418
AMERICAN INSTITUTE OF PHILANTHROPY
The American Institute of Philanthropy (AIP) researches and evaluates nonprofit organizations, analyzes audited financial statements of charities, and gives tips for wise giving. Further information can be found at the AIP web site: www.charitywatch.org
THE BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE
The BBB (Better Business Bureau) Wise Giving Alliance collects and distributes information on nonprofit organizations that solicit nationally or have national or international program services. Local chapters of the BBB also report on organizations who conduct local or regional fund raising efforts. Reports on local and national charities can be found at the BBB web site: www.give.org/
CENTER FOR INTERNATIONAL DISASTER INFORMATION
The Center for International Disaster Information (CIDI) provides information on international emergencies and disasters to government agencies, foreign embassies, corporations and the public. The CIDI web site offers guidelines for making financial and material donations to relief agencies working with international disaster victims: www.cidi.org/
CHARITY NAVIGATOR
Charity Navigator evaluates national charities granted 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status by the Internal Revenue Service that solicit donations from the public. Evaluations are based on the financial status of the charities and are available to the public. Further information can be found at the web site: www.charitynavigator.org/
GUIDESTAR
GuideStar offers donors information on nonprofit charities provided by charitable agencies and reports of IRS-registered 501(c)(3) organizations that are eligible to receive tax-deductible donations. GuideStar does not evaluate listed organizations. Further information can be found at the web site: www.guidestar.org
TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:
Search by agency names:
BBB Wise Giving Alliance
Center for International Disaster Information
Charity Navigator
Public Charities – State of Conn. Office of the Attorney General and the Dept. of Consumer Protection
Search by service name: Charity Information
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SOURCES: American Institute of Philanthropy web site; BBB Wise Giving Alliance web site; Center for International Disaster Information web site; Charity Navigator web site; Public Charities – State of Conn. Office of the Attorney General and the Dept. of Consumer Protection
PREPARED BY: 211/pt
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: March2008
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