Giving Circles: Assess Grantees
How do you determine which organizations are the best for your giving circle to fund?
One way to get to know nonprofit organizations is to make site visits. You can meet with key staff and/or board members at the nonprofit’s office or field location, ask questions, and possibly have the chance to observe programming. Another is to research the organization on the Internet.
It is important to balance the work you create for a potential grantee with the amount of money the organization will potentially receive. Remember that site visits and the preparation that goes into them can be very time intensive for a resource-strapped nonprofit.
Links
- Donating to Charity: A Guide
The information in this guide, published by the Urban Institute and Indiana University in 2004, will help you make informed decisions about donating to charity.
- American Institute of Philanthropy
Profiles top-rated charities and offers tips for giving wisely.
- Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance
In-depth reports on natioanl nonprofits, using their Standards for Charity Accountability.
- JustGive
Searchable database of screened, nationally-recognized nonprofits.
- Network for Good
Guide to award-winning charities and links to donor education sites. Helps you give to and get involved in the issues you care about.