Charity Clarity

A practical giving checklist

Before donating to disaster relief

Confirm who receives the gift, what they are doing in the affected area, and how the appeal allows funds to be used. Historical financial statements provide background. A current response update is needed to understand today’s work.

Sources checked October 23, 2026. This guide does not verify a particular live disaster appeal.

Check the recipient and the payment page

  1. Verify the exact organization. Check its legal name, official website and contact details. Search for independent information and complaints. Lookalike names can mislead.
  2. Reach the site independently. Check the destination before entering payment information. HTTPS encrypts a connection but does not prove the recipient is legitimate.
  3. Review the payment terms. Confirm the amount and whether it repeats. Be wary if the only accepted method is a gift card, wire, cryptocurrency or payment app.
  4. Keep a record. Save the receipt and check that the charge matches what you authorized.

FTC guidance on researching charities and donating safely (opens a new tab).

If deductibility matters, check the recipient in IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search (opens a new tab) and review the giving and taxes guide. A fundraiser’s name may differ from the organization receiving the money.

Ask what this appeal will fund

These are questions to ask the charity, not claims that any organization in our directory has already answered them:

  • Which locations and people does the response cover, and how recent is the update?
  • Is the work immediate food or shelter, medical support, recovery, rebuilding, or a combination?
  • Who delivers the work locally, and what capacity or unmet need is documented?
  • Is the gift restricted to this disaster? What happens if the appeal raises more than needed or the response changes?
  • What follow-up reporting will explain spending and results?

For donated goods, contact the recipient first about current needs and its ability to receive them. Unrequested items can create handling costs. FTC guidance on donating things instead of money (opens a new tab).

Use financial records as context

A prior-year program ratio cannot verify that an organization is currently working in a disaster zone. Medical supplies, food, volunteers and grants also produce different accounting pictures. Compare the reporting entity, fiscal dates and noncash treatment before drawing conclusions from percentages.

Fundraising and administration can support preparation and delivery. A disproportionate allocation deserves questions about the work, growth strategy and results. We do not recommend an ideal split or select a charity for you.

Our disaster-relief hub separates medical support, broad emergency response and recovery approaches. Explore hunger programs when food access is your focus. A directory listing is a research starting point, not confirmation of a current deployment.

A note to save with your decision

Record the recipient’s name and EIN, the appeal URL and date, the stated use of funds, any restrictions, the source period you reviewed, and the question you still need answered. This makes it easier to revisit the decision as recovery needs change.