A list of charitable organizations is necessary to help a tax preparer find out if the tax payer qualifies for tax credits on his tax return. The tax preparer can find this information in two ways. He can call the number for the IRS, or he can simply look for the list of charities on the IRS website. Once he has determined which organization sounds like one he would like to help, the giver should research the financial dealings of that organization. The reason for this is that while many organizations are legitimate nonprofits, there are many that do not handle their finances in a disciplined manner. With the onslaught of hurricanes in the South, many supposed good groups have turned out to be scammers who set up websites that link into their personal bank accounts or into the coffers of politicians. The donor needs to make sure that the group he picks is a well-known, legitimate organization that supports the ideals of giving. The Internet is an excellent place to start the research. A list of charitable organizations can be filtered by belief system. For example, a person could search for nonprofits that have a Christian base; or decide on a group that has a humanitarian, but secular, base. In addition, people can find a list of charities that operate only within the United States, and a different set of names that fund programs internationally. Before choosing a name from a random list, decide what is important, then invest by choosing an organization that puts its resources in the area of your passion. Is the concern over care for the aids-ravaged villages in Africa, or is it for the homeless in a person's hometown? Is the passion in the area of missions, both foreign and domestic?
Another good way to donate correctly is by calling the church office. They should have a list of charitable organizations or missionaries that they currently support. Since the church's resources are going to support a particular list of charities. A person can find groups that have the same doctrine and vision. When a Christian makes a donation, he is following the godly standard of giving to the poor. "The righteous considereth the cause of the poor: but the wicked regardeth it not" (Proverbs 29:7). He also may be helping to fulfill the Great Commission to take the gospel to the whole world (Acts 1:8) by giving to mission organizations.
