This time of year I get 3-5 calls each week requesting donations for this or that charity.  Most of them are well know, but others have names that sound similar to well known organizations.  With all the requests we receive to donate to various charities, how can we know that the money we send is put to good use. 

There are several good sites that can help you steer your way through the maze of different yet similar organizations.  One such site was recently posted on Monica Ricci’s blog, http://www.charitynavigator.org.  Two other useful sites are: http://www.charitywatch.org  and http://www.give.org information provided by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance). 

If you want to find out if a charity is registered in your state go to: http://www.nasconet.org .

It is said that it is better to give than receive.  I believe this whole heartedly.. just make sure that the group to which you choose to donate does the good work they claim.