Charity Checker
Is this charity legitimate? Check any nonprofit's trust score, financial health, and red flags before you donate.
How to Check if a Charity is Legitimate
Before donating to any charity, it's important to verify that it's a real, registered organization that uses donations effectively. Here's what to look for:
1. Check Registration Status
Legitimate charities are registered with a government authority. In the US, that's the IRS. In the UK, it's the Charity Commission. GiveRadar shows registration numbers and status for charities in 60+ countries.
2. Look at Financial Transparency
Does the charity file financial reports? What's their overhead ratio? How much goes to programs versus administration? Charities that don't disclose financials are a red flag. On GiveRadar, you can see revenue, expenses, assets, and program spending breakdowns.
3. Check Executive Compensation
How much does the CEO earn? Is it reasonable for the organization's size? GiveRadar shows executive compensation data from tax filings so you can judge for yourself.
4. Look for Red Flags
GiveRadar automatically detects warning signs: unusually high overhead, missing financial filings, negative news coverage, and sanctions list matches. User-reported concerns are also displayed.
5. Read Reviews
What do donors, volunteers, and beneficiaries say? GiveRadar shows verified reviews from people who've interacted with the charity directly.
Common Charity Scam Warning Signs
- Pressure to donate immediately — Legitimate charities don't rush you.
- Cash-only requests — Real charities accept checks, cards, and online payments.
- Vague about their mission — They can't explain what they do with donations.
- Name sounds like a famous charity — Scammers use similar names to confuse you.
- No registration number — They can't provide proof of registration.
- No financial disclosures — They won't show you their spending.
Alternatives to GiveRadar
While GiveRadar is the most comprehensive global charity database (8 million+ charities in 60+ countries), other resources exist for specific regions:
- Charity Navigator — Rates ~200K US charities. Good for US-only research.
- GuideStar (Candid) — US nonprofit database with 990 filings.
- Give.org (BBB Wise Giving Alliance) — Evaluates US charities against standards.
- Charity Commission (UK) — Official UK charity register.
- ACNC (Australia) — Australian charities register.
GiveRadar combines data from all of these and dozens more sources into one searchable platform.