We all want to make a difference in the world, and giving to charity seems like the natural way to make it happen. Whether it’s supporting educational initiatives, clean water programs, or environmental causes, there is a charitable organisation for everything you can imagine. Once you find a cause that speaks to you on a deeper level, it’s up to you to decide how much you want to give each month.
To make sure that your input has the impact you expect, we’re going to take a closer look at how to make sure your donation reaches its destination.
What can go wrong with your donation?
The last thing we want to imply here is that the charitable sector is rife with scams and frauds, because all that will do is denigrate the work of thousands of passionate people. However, it’s important to know that there are several issues that may arise:
- Incorrect payment details may mean that your donations go somewhere else entirely
- Defunct charities may still receive donations that sit there and do nothing of use
- A small number of cyber scammers will masquerade as charities for their own gain
Making sure that your donation arrives in the right place is not about being cynical of the charitable sector; it’s about making sure you can make a difference. Here’s how your donation from can result in real impact.
Key checks before you donate
The most successful charities run themselves like businesses because that’s how they can make the biggest impact with the resources they have. If you think of your donation as an investment, you will be able to do the same. Here’s a simple process to make it happen:
- Perform your own due diligence by asking for case studies that cover the charity’s previous achievements
- Make sure you feel comfortable with the level of engagement you receive so that you’re not blindly handing over money
- Ask for the success metrics that the charity uses: number of trees planted, number of children put through school, etc.
- Check if they are a registered charity in their country via official channels
As you start to work through these key steps, you’ll find that you can then focus on the specifics of the charity you’re considering donating to.
Important differences between charities
Much like businesses, charities come in all shapes and sizes, from very small local charities that focus on one area, to international charities that cross dozens of borders to make a far-reaching impact. As you look more closely, you will typically find that the administrative spend of larger charities is greater, and that they also have much bigger overheads. Smaller charities will typically spend a lower percentage of their donations on such matters, but they will generally be helping far fewer people.
It’s also important to note that a portion of your donation will need to be spent on other operational costs: wages, marketing, and fundraising initiatives. While we all hope that 100% of what we donate will end up in the hands of the people who need it, we also need to be realistic. The key is to look for transparent spending breakdowns using resources. so that you can find a level you feel comfortable with. You can also ask to receive a copy of the charity’s annual report so that you can take a closer look at the numbers and see how they stack up.
The mechanics of secure donations
Many of us are familiar with the fundraisers we see on the high street on a Saturday afternoon. They generally ask for a direct debit so that the charity can receive a regular monthly donation, as opposed to a one-off cash donation. You may also have found charitable initiatives that are based abroad that don’t have any UK-based representatives. In such cases, it’s important to have a secure international payment method.
Banks talk to one another using things called SWIFT codes that allow them to find one another around the world. There are also unique numbers (IBAN) for each individual bank account. While your local bank may be able to help, they are often slow and expensive compared to specialist international transfer services. For donors seeking the best international money transfer options, these specialist services provide faster, more cost-effective solutions with transparent fees. Using such a service will allow you to donate directly to the charity using your debit card or credit card in dozens of different currencies. You will also be able to trace the transfer to ensure that it has arrived where it needs to go
Choosing your next good cause
Charitable giving is something that people tend to do when they feel a connection with the cause that is being championed. They then look for a charity with a track record of making a difference and donate using a secure facility that is fully traceable. You can use our guide to make your own difference in the world and improve the lives of people who will truly appreciate it.
