Donating

Focus on need! Look to it that the NGO targets on excluded groups, neglected issues or actually pressing problems such as ecological and social disasters.

Help for self-help. Organizations or projects to recommend are conscious of giving help for self-help, i.e. to built sustainable structures the people can develop further by themselves.

Ask about results. Donors should ask about results. Poitive results are, when the NGO uses its results to improve its services, that it is lead well, that it has a strategic focus, that it it is commited to increasing the number of lives it touches, and that it is efficient and stable.

Be an informed giver. Don't be afraid to ask questions when you're asked to give, including the specific name of the solicitor and his or her relationship to the organization, how much of your gift will be used for overhead, the specific project the money will go toward, and other important information. Give only when you feel comfortable that your money or goods will be going to support an organization you know and believe in.

Don’t respond to emails asking for donations — go directly to the organizations you trust.

Consider alternative forms of giving. There are many other creative forms of giving such as donation in kind or endowments. Many organizations and projects need certain things they inform you about on their homepages or when asking.
10 tips for donating a computer

Volunteer! In addition to financial support, consider giving your time and skills. Not only will you help the organization, but you'll also make contacts, pass your skills, and learn more about the project. Tips on volunteering wisely

Don't forget you have the right to say no! If you feel uncomfortable with an organization don't be afraid to say no. Or, ask for more information and take more time to think before making your decision.


Be a proactive giver! Don't wait to be asked. Look for projects and organizations you want to support and plan a giving strategy in advance.


Most nonprofits are legitimate community assets. However, counterfeits do exist. If possible, limit donations of cash to nonprofits that have an established reputation in your local community or are recommended by a trustful person or institution. Should you feel compelled to donate to an unfamiliar nonprofit, request documentation including copies of the organization's annual report, newsletter, and approval before dropping a check in the mail.

More Tips for safe online donation

A number of in-country initiatives in India are being established to promote good governance, transparency and honesty:

The Credibility Alliance (CA) - credall.org.in - is a national consortium of Indian voluntary organisations concerned to establish better self-regulation. It has established a set of norms to which NGOs can subscribe. Minimum norms include: that an NGO is registered; that it has some defined indicators; that is has a board that meets at least twice a year; that it practices full disclosure an board membership and remuneration, and that signed audited accounts and annual reports are available.

GiveIndia - giveindia.org - The site is designed as a "Philanthropy Exchange" that allows donors to donate directly to any of the "listed" non-profit organizations. It´s essentially a fund raising organization committed to make online donations effective. The online NGOs have been validated against CA minimum and desirable norms with an additional requirement that they commit to report back annually on any donation they receive. They work on causes ranging from child welfare and education to disability, poverty, and women's empowerment, just to name a few.


Charities Aid Foundation India (CAF India) - cafindia.org - provides services to donors and charities and includes an its websites a directory of organisations on which it states it has carried out 'due diligence'.

All of these initiatives are positive steps towards improving the flow of information about NGOs in India. What none of them do is put much visible emphasis on impact or results.


RESET - For a better World: After careful research and assessment, RESET recommends projects aiding the reduction of climate change and improving living conditions in underdeveloped areas. With RESET you can support sustainable projects in a way that suits you best: by donating money, goods or services. Each project is carefully selected based on our criteria of transparency, trust and cooperation. RESET mainly supports projects by protagonists and NGOs who focus on specific tasks. At the same time, we make sure that your investment is being used for the project’s current requirements. RESET as a non-profit organization does not charge any fees for said intermediation, thus offering numerous means to sensibly put more than € 3 billion of donated funds to good use. The selected projects are self-supporting and can be transferred to public institutions for continued operation.