Photo: AlertNet.org
Our instinct to reach out and help in times of crisis, like in the aftermath of today’s 8.9 magnitude earthquake and subsequent tsunami that struck Japan, is laudable, but can result in misdirected and wasted money. Charity Navigator, the non-partisan survey of charitable organizations that rates them on effectiveness and transparency, has a list of ways to target your donations.
Some of the tips include:
*Avoid Newly-Formed Charities and give to an established organization that has worked in Japan.
*Designate Your Investment–specifically for earthquake relief in Japan.
*Do Not Send Supplies–systems will not yet be in place to appropriately receive and distribute them.
*Beware E-mail Solicitations.
*Think Before you Text–texting seems easy, but funds don’t always go where you wish they would…do your homework.
Some of the highest rated charities who are ready to respond and already moving into action in Japan are:
Change by Doing 