Where to donate money so it actually helps
There’s no single best place to donate. It depends on what you want your money to do. Here’s a simple way to decide.
Start with what you want to change
- Help someone right now: give directly to a person or family who needs it.
- Help your area: a local food bank, shelter or community fund.
- Help the most people per dollar: a charity with strong evidence behind it.
- Help after a disaster: established relief groups already working there.
Local places to donate money
Food banks can often turn a dollar into several meals because they buy in bulk. Shelters, school family funds and community foundations also tend to know exactly where help is needed. Call 211 or visit 211.org to find groups near you.
How to check a charity
Look the charity up on Charity Navigator to see how it uses its money. If you want the most impact per dollar, GiveWell publishes its research on which charities do the most good.
When to give to a person instead
Charities are great for big, ongoing problems. When one person needs a specific thing now, like a car repair or a month of rent, giving to them directly is often faster. See how to donate directly to people in need.