Donate to Hurricane Katrina Victims

How to Find a Reputable Charity

Finding a Reputable Charity

Americans are always quick to help others in need, whether it's in their own country or abroad, but sometimes it's difficult to decide where to send our donations. We want as much of our funds as possible to be used for aid, not to pay for fund administration. And some of us want our donations to be used for a specific disaster, rather than going into a general fund that can be drawn on as needed.

So how do you start researching different funds? A good place to start is The American Institute of Philanthropy, a nonprofit group that acts as a watchdog, monitoring charitable organizations and the way they spend their funds. The organization has announced its Top 12 Charities for Katrina Relief.

There are thousands of charities that accept disaster aid donations, and even more small groups and organizations that work to raise funds. If you cannot afford to donate, there might be a way to volunteer for fund raising on a local level. Read your local newspaper for planned events, or organize something yourself with a church or school group.

If You Can't Help Now

The relief effort will go on for a very long time, so don't assume that if you can't help now, you can't help at all. Keep this event in mind, even after the press slows down its coverage of it. The people affected will need long-term help to get their lives back on track.

Starvation, health issues, disasters, wars--they'll never go away. So find a charity you trust and do what you can to help--anytime, not just when disaster strikes. No amount is too small, and I can guarantee that your donation will help you, too, when you realize the difference you've made in the lives of people who need our help the most.