Charitable Giving Online

Find Your Favorite Cause

The Internet can help you evaluate charities you're interested in, to find out where your time and money will be best spent. Surf these sites to read up on the mission and money/volunteer needs of different nonprofits, the first step on your way to riding the wave of philanthropy.

Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance The site for the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance is a good launchpad to begin your charitable surfing. Get the scoop on hundreds of nonprofits, including how long they've been around and how their budget is allocated. (As a rule of thumb, look for groups that spend at least 50 percent of their annual funds on their hands-on programs and activities and less than 35 percent on fund-raising costs.)

Charitywave.com This site offers a safe way to donate online, whether once in a while or regularly. Whether your giving taste runs to art or health, the environment or social issues, the list of charities on this site includes both large and small groups and ranges from the Alaska Native Health Board to a public broadcasting station in Washington, D.C.