Tag: featured

Each February, World Cancer Day reminds us of the ongoing fight against cancer—and how we can make a difference by supporting the right organizations.

Why World Cancer Day Matters

February 4th is World Cancer Day, established 26 years ago in Paris at the World Cancer Summit Against Cancer for the New Millennium. The day is dedicated to raising awareness and promoting cancer prevention, early detection, and treatment.

With nearly 20 million new cancer diagnoses in 2025 alone, it’s fair to say that many of us have had a friend, family member, or colleague who has been affected by cancer.

We encourage you to consider supporting trustworthy cancer charities today or throughout the year.

How to Choose the Right Cancer Charity

Choosing a cancer charity can be daunting given the thousands of options available.

Donors often decide where to give based on personal experiences or those of loved ones. For example, you may be particularly interested in charities that focus on supporting children, prioritizing research, or addressing specific types of cancer.

What Your Donations Help Fund

Supporting cancer charities helps fund vital initiatives, such as cutting-edge AI technologies that improve early diagnosis and detection, immunotherapy treatments that strengthen the body’s immune system, and the provision of screenings and treatment for individuals.

Tips for Giving to Cancer Charities

Whichever cancer charity you choose to support, we’d like to share a few tips to help ensure your donation goes to an organization you can trust.

• Double-check charity names. With so many cancer charities out there, it’s no surprise that many include the word “cancer” in their name and may sound familiar. Take the time to look carefully to ensure you’re donating to the intended organization. It’s also a good idea to check that the address listed in any fundraising appeal matches the one on the charity’s official website.
• Look for clear mission statements and descriptions of program activities. Look closely at charity appeals and websites to understand the specific activities each organization is involved in. Don’t make assumptions about what a charity does, and instead look for clear, detailed information. Whether you want to support treatment, prevention, education, or research, look for charities that align with your interests.
• Be wary of exaggerated appeals. If statistics in charity appeals seem too good to be true, think twice and double-check. Be especially cautious of organizations claiming that “100% of your donation goes to supporting cancer research,” for example. If such a statement is made, the organization should also explain how they cover fundraising and administrative expenses.
• Seek clarity in cause-related marketing. Many cancer charities are involved in cause-related marketing campaigns, in which purchases of consumer goods or services will benefit a specific charitable organization. If you are considering purchasing a product that will also benefit a cancer charity, look for clear disclosures that identify the actual or anticipated amount of the purchase price that will benefit the stated group before you give. For more details about Standard 19, on cause marketing disclosures, please see our BBB Charity Standards.

We hope these tips provide you with peace of mind as you explore supporting cancer charities.

Support Cancer Charities You Can Trust

For even more confidence when giving, please review our list of nationally soliciting cancer charities that meet the 20 Standards for Charity Accountability.

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Consumer Reports
• Wildlife Conservation Network
• MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

As new rules affecting charitable deductions take effect in 2026, here are some key changes donors should keep in mind.

Start Planning Now: Tax Prep Meets Giving Strategy

As much of the East recovers from snow and ice storm Fern, we hope you are staying safe and warm.

While life returns to normal, it’s also a good time for donors to start preparing 2025 tax filings and to begin planning charitable giving for 2026.

With many already receiving W-2s and other tax documents, this is a good moment to consider the tax implications of your charitable giving.

Itemizing vs. Standard Deduction: What It Means for Charitable Gifts

Whether you prepare your own taxes using online services or work with an accountant, charitable giving can have important tax implications.

Filers must first decide between taking the standard deduction, which varies by filing status, or itemizing their deductions.

Itemizing allows you to subtract certain expenses from your adjusted gross income (AGI), which can reduce the amount of tax you owe.

Common itemized deductions include:

• State and local taxes
• Mortgage interest
• Medical expenses
• Charitable contributions

New Tax Rules for Non-Itemizers in 2026

Last year’s One Big Beautiful Bill, signed on July 4, 2025, permanently reinstated a tax rule that applies beginning with the 2026 tax year.

Under this rule, non-itemizers (those taking the standard deduction) may deduct up to $1,000 in qualified charitable contributions ($2,000 if filing jointly).

While this deduction does not apply to the 2025 tax year (returns filed in 2026), it is something to keep in mind when planning your charitable giving in 2026, which will be reported on your 2027 tax return.

What charitable donations qualify?

• Only cash contributions made by credit card, check, online donations or payroll deductions
• Donations to qualified 501(c)(3) public charities
• Gifts that have followed IRS charity deduction rules, such as a written acknowledgement of gifts of $250 or more

While we always encourage generous giving to trusted charities, contributions above the limits for non-itemized deductions cannot be carried forward from year to year and these deductions cannot be used in conjunction with a private foundation or donor-advised funds (DAF).

New Rules for Itemizers in 2026

There are also new rules for itemizers stemming from the 2025 legislation.

Under these rules, itemizers will be able to deduct only cash contributions exceeding 0.5% of AGI, but no more than 60% of AGI in a single year. For example, if your AGI is $100,000, only gifts above $500 are eligible for deductions.

Some individuals may choose to lump several years of charitable contributions into a single year or take advantage of the flexibility offered by donor-advised funds (DAFs). 

Other effective strategies include qualified charitable IRA distributions and gifts of appreciated stock. Stocks, and other non-cash assets, can be deducted at full market value before taxes, allowing donors to avoid capital gains taxes.

Charitable IRA distributions can lower AGI (and taxable income) and even reduce Medicare premium in the long run.

Corporate Giving: What’s Changing in 2026

Corporate giving will now be subject to a new 1% AGI floor.

Contributions below this threshold may prompt organizations to either increase giving in a single year to qualify for the deduction or bundle multiple years’ contributions into one year to maximize tax benefits.

What This Means for Charities

It’s still unclear how much charities will benefit from the new tax regulations, but many hope that the standard-deduction advantage could generate much needed revenue.

Some projections anticipate a short-term boost, with the potential for long-term donor re-engagement that could help reverse the trend of a shrinking donor base.

Ultimately, the impact depends on everyday donors, so we encourage everyone to make 2026 giving plans that benefit you, support charities, and make a meaningful difference.

More Info: IRS Guidelines on Charitable Deductions

If you’re looking for official guidance on what kinds of charitable contributions qualify for deductions—and how to document them—refer to the IRS booklet on charitable deductions IRS Publication 526.

This resource outlines the rules for cash and non-cash donations, recordkeeping requirements, and limits based on income. The “about” page will be updated as IRS Pub 526 updates.

Whether you’re itemizing or claiming the standard deduction, reviewing this IRS guide can help ensure your giving meets the criteria for tax benefits.

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Save the Children Federation
• Team Telomere
• Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Tarrant County

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

Our brains are wired to save time—but when it comes to generosity, taking mental shortcuts can lead us to making mistakes in giving.

What Are Mental Shortcuts and Why Do They Matter in Giving?

Have you ever judged a book by its cover? If so, you are not alone. Our brains love a mental shortcut, saving energy by avoiding conscious thought in favor of quick solutions. It’s a natural human tendency.

These shortcuts help us run away from a bright spider, follow a crowd toward an exit, or choose food that looks familiar. They can be useful, and even lifesaving! But they can also lead us astray. Mental shortcuts play a role in why attractive people tend to earn more, why we’re willing to pay extra for certain brands, and in far more nefarious biases.

How Cognitive Biases Can Lead to Mistakes in Giving

When it comes to giving wisely, mental shortcuts can also help or lead to unwanted outcomes.

• On the positive side, when you see the BBB Accredited Charity seal, you can be confident that our team has carefully verified the charity meets all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
• Other brain biases can be trickier, and push us to feel confident when we shouldn’t, or make rushed decisions to give.

Taking some mental shortcuts can result in our charitable gifts going to untrustworthy actors.  So try to keep your mind in check when it comes to giving. 

Spot These Common Mental Shortcuts Before You Give

Here are four common brain biases that can influence your giving—plus how to overcome them:

1. Familiarity Bias – “That Name Sounds Familiar”

Familiar names feel safer. If your mom’s name is Jane, you may instinctively feel more comfortable with a new coworker named Jane. In the same way, knowing that many cancer charities do excellent work can make a new cancer-related solicitation seem automatically trustworthy.

Be cautious of appeals that use names very similar to well-known charities. Bad actors can rely on donors’ familiarity and goodwill, counting on people who do not pause and verify before giving.

2. Urgency Effect – “There Is No Time to Pause”

We can be overly influenced by an exaggerated sense of urgency. Appeals that strongly tug at your heartstrings, without offering clear, specific, or verifiable details, could be a sign of a scam.

Even during times of humanitarian crises or natural disasters, when needs are genuinely urgent, be cautious of pressure to click links or scan QR codes on the spot. Trustworthy charities welcome verification and follow-up questions; and they are willing to take the time to build a relationship with you.

3. Bandwagon Effect – “Everyone Is Doing It”

In this day and age, viral moments can bring us together. Joining the “Holy Airball” trend on TikTok can be fun; coming together to support a trustworthy charity in response to a disaster can be powerful. But just because everyone is doing something doesn’t make it a reliable signal of trust.

If you’re joining the masses for a good cause or responding to a celebrity appeal, take a moment to do so thoughtfully and responsibly. When using crowdfunding platforms, the safest approach is to donate to campaigns for people you personally know or to support established charities you trust.

4. Size Bias – “Bigger is Better”

Unconsciously, we tend to assume that high-priced items are better, attractive people are smarter, and bananas in a museum are art. (Art critics may disagree.) Some donors may similarly assume that charities claiming 100% of donations go to programs are better stewards of their money.

There is a lot to unpack in such claims, but, in short, bigger is not always better. When you see statements like “100% of your donations will be spent on programs,” this should raise a red flag. All legitimate charities have administrative and fundraising expenses… these costs do not simply disappear. In the worst-case scenario, you are being misled. In the best-case scenario, those costs are covered by other funding sources, such as wealthy donors, board members, or corporate sponsors, but they still exist.

Well-run charities need reasonable administrative and fundraising expenses to operate effectively. Pressuring organizations to maintain unrealistically high program-spending ratios can actually be harmful. When you see such claims, ask follow-up questions. Don’t let 100% claims be the deciding factor in your giving decisions. Instead, focus on the charity’s overall effectiveness, transparency, and accountability.

Give.org Helps You Cut Through the Noise

A short pause can go a long way. Before you donate, always take a moment to visit Give.org to verify the charity’s trustworthiness. Your brain (and your generosity) will thank you.

Search for a charity now →  

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• CURE Epilepsy
• United Methodist Family Services
• Foundation for the Poor

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

Strong governance is one of the clearest indicators that a charity is prepared to use donations responsibly, stay mission-focused, and earn long-term public trust.

Why Governance Matters for Mission-Driven Charities

In our first post of the new year, Wise Giving Wednesday explored how charities can refocus on mission in 2026.

This week, the focus turns to governance, a critical element enabling charities to achieve their mission.

When charities approach governance with integrity and efficiency, they are better positioned to focus on mission and earn public trust.

What Does Good Governance Look Like in Practice?

The beginning of the year is when many charities begin putting new budgets and strategic plans into action. Ultimate responsibility for setting and approving an organization’s direction rests with the board of directors.

A strong board offers clear oversight and sets a thoughtful, ethical direction for the organization.

The Three Duties Every Charity Board Should Know

Guidebooks from state regulatory authorities commonly identify three essential responsibilities of a charity’s board:

• Duty of loyalty – placing the charity’s mission first;
• Duty of care – wise use of the charity’s resources; and
• Duty of obedience – following bylaws and appropriate government regulations.

Governance and Oversight Standards from BBB Wise Giving Alliance

The first five BBB Standards for Charity Accountability help ensure an active, independent board of directors, free of self-dealing.

Here are some highlights of what’s expected to meet each standard:

• Standard 1 calls for adequate board oversight of the charity, including CEO performance reviews, board approval of budgets and fundraising practices, adoption of a conflict-of-interest policy, and establishment of adequate accounting procedures to safeguard charity practices.
• Standard 2 looks for a minimum board size of five voting members.
• Standard 3 verifies a minimum of three board meetings, with majority attendance, within a calendar or fiscal year.
• Standard 4, on board compensation, calls for no more than one or 10% (whichever is greater) of board members to be compensated, and that no compensated members serve as board chair or treasurer.
• Standard 5 seeks to ensure organizations are free from conflicts of interest arising from business affiliations. We verify that charities have appropriate arms-length procedures in place.

What Charity Governance Practices Matter Most to Donors?

In our 2024 Donor Trust Survey, we presented participants with a list of practices that help strengthen board oversight of a charity’s operations and staff, and asked them to pick the three they considered most important.

The most important charity governance practices chosen by donors were:

• Establishing procedures to prevent financial mismanagement (57%);
• Avoiding transactions with board- or staff-affiliated businesses that could create conflicts of interest (42%); and
• Limiting compensation to no more than 10% of board members (42%).

Good governance helps charities use resources wisely and stay true to their mission, while building donor trust.

Check Charity Governance Practices Before You Give

To explore how your favorite charities measure up against the 20 BBB Charity Standards, search our full database at Give.org.

Each evaluative report includes information about governance and oversight, financial management, organizational effectiveness and fundraising practices to help you give with confidence.

Search for a charity now →  

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Soccer Without Borders
• World Vision
• Tree Research and Education Endowment Fund

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

As the new year unfolds, it’s a natural moment for donors and the mission-driven charitable sector to reconnect with what truly matters: advancing meaningful causes with clarity, compassion, and commitment.

A Fresh Start: Refocusing on Mission in the New Year

Now that we’ve popped the champagne cork to start 2026 and, with any luck, packed away the holiday décor, it’s a great time to turn the page and refocus on the value of mission-driven work. While our smartphones and social media are constantly abuzz with the latest political upheaval or culture war meme, nonprofits and their staff are quietly going about their work to help, provide for, advocate for, and serve.

Behind the Scenes: The People Powering Mission-Driven Work

People who choose charity work are often driven by mission. Some charity professionals do the headline-grabbing, “boots on the ground” work after a natural disaster. But, for every one of those, there are many more nonprofit professionals working behind the scenes: managing and developing programs, ensuring strong financial and governance practices, maintaining websites, and safeguarding data.

Beyond charity professionals, many of whom forgo more lucrative private-sector careers, countless volunteers work every day to support a cause. Volunteers come from all walks of life and charities do their best to match individual skills with organizational needs.

Causes That Inspire: A Look at the Diverse Missions of 2026

The start of the new year offers an opportunity to reenergize around mission and purpose. Together – volunteers, charity professionals, and volunteers, pursue a wide variety of missions, including:

• Advancing arts and culture
• Advocating for seniors, minorities, or other populations
• Aiding wounded military and their families
• Bringing clean water or other needs to remote communities
• Feeding people in need
• Educating children and youth
• Offering mental health services
• Protecting natural environments
• Providing medical goods or services
• Responding to natural disasters
• Supporting health-related research

How You Can Support Mission-Driven Charities with Confidence

Charities work across these areas and many others. In 2026, the BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s charge to donors is to help verify the trustworthiness of publicly soliciting charities and to highlight organizations you can support with confidence.

We invite you to look beyond the fundraising appeal in your inbox and gain deeper understanding of what it takes to make mission-driven work possible. Visit our Alphabetical List of Charities to learn more about hundreds of mission-based organizations. These organizations need your support. Their work matters and transforms lives every day.

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Coalition for Children, Youth and Families
• Helping Hand for Relief and Development
• Humanity & Inclusion

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

As 2025 draws to a close, we invite you to start the new year with purpose—by exploring how giving your time can be one of the most powerful commitments you make in 2026.

Volunteering in 2026: A Resolution Worth Keeping

On New Year’s Eve, many of us think about resolutions. According to the Pew Charitable Center, most of us set goals to improve our health, exercise, or diet. But one of the most rewarding commitments we can make in 2026 is to volunteer our time. Beyond supporting meaningful causes, volunteering offers personal fulfillment and strengthens the community we live in. It is great way to grow, give, and live with intention in the year ahead.

The Real Value of Your Time: $34.79 and Rising

Moreover, according to a report by Independent Sector and the Do Good Institute at the University of Maryland’s School of Public Policy, the estimated value of a volunteer hour in 2024 was $34.79, a 3.9% increase from 2023. This average, which includes all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico, highlights the growing economic significance of volunteer contributions.

Thinking About Volunteering in 2026? Here’s How to Begin

As we look forward to a new year, it’s a great time to set meaningful intentions and get involved. Here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Reflect on What Matters to You. If you’re a nature lover, ask around about environmental organizations in your area. If you’d love to help animals, most communities will have shelters in need of volunteers.
• Ask What is Needed. Find out what charities need most and let them know your professional skills for the best fit. Avoiding duplication of efforts is another factor charities must consider when accepting new volunteers.
• Set Specific and Realistic Goals. Instead of “volunteer more,” think about a specific amount of time that fits with your life and schedule. Starting small can be a big step and will let you see if the volunteer opportunity you’ve chosen is a good fit. You don’t want to commit to more hours than you can handle or waste the precious time of charity staff members trying to train, coordinate and meet program demands.
• Keep an Open Mind. Remember that a charity might not ask you to do exactly what you want to do. Don’t hesitate to share your preferences, but remain adaptable and considerate, as your responsibilities may shift with increased experience.
• Match with a Trustworthy Charity. Visit give.org and verify if the charity you’re considering meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Healing Paws for Warriors
• Minnesota Ovarian Cancer Alliance
• Mangrove Action Project

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

As families around the world celebrate their holiday traditions, BBB Wise Giving Alliance is reflecting on the spirit of giving and we encourage donors to celebrate with intention and trust.

A Modern North Pole: Holiday Cheer and Giving in 2025

It’s that time of year again, folks. Santa will soon be warming up his sleigh for his high-speed trip around the world, with Rudolph leading the way through the night sky.

Buddy the Elf and his colleagues are filling orders for Squishmallows, Labubu Dolls, Nintendo Switches, and a seemingly endless variety of toys.

A Red Ryder BB gun under the tree and a Slinky and a yo-yo in the stocking just don’t cut it anymore; modern elves have ultra-fast Amazon truck drivers filling next-day deliveries at Chuck Yeager speed.

Santa’s List and Ours: Celebrating BBB Accredited Charities

The beloved “Santa Claus is Comin’ to Town” has been recorded by the likes of Sinatra, the Jackson 5, Springsteen, The Supremes, Lady Gaga, and many others, warning children to behave during the holidays. Santa is famously “making a list” and “checking it twice.”

In the spirit of the season and Santa’s naughty or nice list, we’d like to celebrate the many organizations that demonstrated transparency and good governance by meeting all 20 of our Standards for Charity Accountability in 2025. We encourage you to visit our list of BBB Accredited Charities here.

How BBB WGA Checks Twice: Our Charity Evaluation Process

At BBB WGA, we make it a point, like Santa, to always check twice in our charity monitoring activities.

Here are a few of the ways we double-check to provide the most accurate information on charities, so your charitable gifts go to organizations you can trust:

• Check the accuracy of fundraising appeals, including pictures and stories. If anything seems unclear, inaccurate, or misleading, we review it again and often ask charities for additional information.
• Examine charity IRS Form 990s and audited financial statements for accuracy. Our analysts review these financial statements closely for potential questions or inaccuracies. Once an Analyst completes their review, another Analyst double-checks it to ensure organizations meet all financial Standards before publication.
• Review charity websites and annual reports to confirm they include all information required to meet our standards, such as financial summaries, a list of board members, and descriptions of program accomplishments from the previous year.
• Evaluate website privacy policies to ensure charities have appropriate measures in place to safeguard your personal information.

Wishing You a Season of Joy, Light, and Wise Giving

Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or observe other traditions, we at BBB WGA wish you a wonderful and joyful holiday season! We hope you’re enjoying time with your family, friends, and loved ones in whatever way feels meaningful to you.

If you are putting out milk and cookies for Santa tonight (and a couple of carrots for the reindeer), take it easy on the eggnog, and remember that, according to Charlie Brown, “It’s not what’s under the Christmas tree that matters; it’s who’s around it.”

There’s Still Time to Give Wisely This Holiday Season

Finally, we encourage you to visit give.org before making any last-minute charity donations in 2025.

There’s still time to give, and the holidays and winter months can be especially hard on those in need of food, shelter, and other necessities.

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Denver Rescue Mission
• Ronald McDonald House Charities of Eastern Wisconsin
• Population Media Center

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

This holiday season, make a tax-deductible gift to help power free charity reports and donor tools that let millions of people give with confidence.

Your Gift Supports Free Charity Reports Donors Rely On

When considering your giving options this holiday season, consider supporting the BBB WGA.

Gifts to our organization help us continue to provide our free charity reports on both national and local organizations. These in-depth evaluative reports help donors like you ensure your contributions are well spent and go to trusted organizations.

To support our work, make a year-end gift to BBB Wise Giving Alliance.

Make Your Gift to Support Trusted Giving →  

Is BBB Wise Giving Alliance a Charity? Yes! And Your Gift Is Tax-Deductible

While our mission is unique among nonprofits, people may ask if BBB WGA is a charity and whether donations to the organization are tax-deductible.

Yes, BBB WGA is a 501(c)(3) charitable organization and all donations to us are tax-deductible.

Your Donation Powers Donor Tools, Research, and Giving Guidance

Beyond our charity reports, your gifts support a wide range of programs that inform, empower, and strengthen the nonprofit sector, while deepening the public’s understanding of trends and topics in charitable giving.

Our work includes:

• AskGive, our AI tool that helps donors quickly access accurate information, facts, and data about charities. (AskGive will launch enhanced features in 2026.)
• Donor Trust Report, exploring how the public perceives and engages with the charitable sector, with topics including donor privacy, AI, and awareness of challenges faced by charities.
• Wise Giving Guide, covering the big topics donors care about, such as how to avoid misleading appeals or clickbait fundraising. The Wise Giving Guide is now available in a digital version for your convenience.
• Standards Revision. In 2026, BBB WGA will continue our revision of the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, to help keep our reports on the cutting edge by addressing issues such as social media and technology in the ever-changing digital age.

We Never Charge Charities for Evaluations—And Our Reports Are Always Free to the Public

BBB Wise Giving Alliance does not charge charities for the accreditation evaluations it completes. Our reports are free on our website (Give.org) and indicate if the charity meets or does not meet BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Ways to Give: Credit Card, Stock, Crypto, or Donor-Advised Fund

In addition to monetary contributions using a credit card or PayPal, our donations page enables you to donate stock, cryptocurrency, or directly from your donor advised fund.

Thank you for standing with us this holiday season. Together, we can continue to build a more trusted, transparent, and giving experience for all.

Help Donors Like You Give With Confidence →  

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• Make-A-Wish Mississippi
• Prevent Blindness Wisconsin
• Redeemer City to City

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.

As we begin to think about year-end-giving we’re reminded that 2025 brought more than wild headlines—it reminded us that, even in chaos, generosity connects us.

A Year That Brought Us Together in Surprising Ways

2025 was not always easy, but it brought us together in delightfully unexpected ways. It was the year we brought the dire wolf back from extinction, learned that the super-secret password to the Louvre’s video surveillance system was “Louvre,” uncomfortably discovered that Coldplay date, and were collectively suspicious of Oumuamua’s return trajectory and the arrival of its interstellar cousin, 3I/ATLAS. 2025 also gave us the shared joys and judgments of Labubu dolls and of “six-seven.”

Through all the rapid change and noise, it’s comforting to know that people can still unite in our shared humanity around things both trivial and important. The holidays have a way of bringing us back to our core values of love and generosity.

Charities That Earned Trust—and Your Support

BBB Wise Giving Alliance is proud of its Accredited Charities. These organizations voluntarily undergo rigorous evaluations of their governance, finances, impact reporting, and fundraising practices, and meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, demonstrating their commitment to transparency and trustworthiness.

Accredited Charities work year-round to advance some of humanity’s highest goals – relieving hunger, responding to disasters, protecting our natural world, supporting our youth, curing disease… all while earning public trust.

• A-Z List of National BBB Accredited Charities
• 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability
• Learn about How We Accredit Charities
• Search for a BBB Charity Report 

Tips for Thoughtful Year-End Donations

We are also proud of you – Wise Givers – who generously and thoughtfully share your resources to power this important work. Below are a few tips to help you plan your end-of-year, or 2026, giving:

Proactive vs. Reactive Giving: Make the Most of Year-End Donations

Many donors wait until they are asked to give, or base their decisions on recommendations from family, friends, or employers. We also respond to disasters and tragedies as they arise. In moments of heightened need, reactive giving is both necessary and awesome.

This time of year, however, offers a special opportunity to reflect on which causes matter most to us, how we want to make a difference, and which organizations we trust with our donation. When thinking about your year-end-giving, take time to identify the causes and charities that you care about the most and consider reaching out proactively.

Is it Better to Give One Large Donation or Many Small Gifts?

We are often asked whether it’s better to give one large contribution or a series of smaller donations. Either is great, depending on your preference and capacity.

A large gift is always welcomed and provides charities with immediate, flexible resources. At the same time, many charities favor monthly donations because such giving can help donors spread out their generosity and make a larger cumulative gift. Monthly gifts also allow you and the charity to plan and budget accordingly.

More Than Money: Alternative Ways to Give

If money is tight, remember there are meaningful alternatives to cash contributions. You can give nonperishable food to local food banks, donate warm coats in good condition, or provide toys for kids in need. Many charities also rely on volunteers and would value your time.

• Get tips on making Used Good Donations
• Review our Guide to Car Donations for Charities
• Learn Why Volunteer Time Is More Valuable Than Ever and get tips for getting started

Understanding 2026 Tax Changes That Impact Your Year-End-Giving Donations

New tax code changes will take effect in 2026 that may affect your charitable giving deductions.

Starting in 2026, individuals who don’t itemize their deductions will become eligible for a charitable deduction of up to $1,000 for individuals or $2,000 for couples filing jointly. Keep in mind that this deduction is limited to cash gifts to organizations tax exempt as charities. It does not apply to in-kind gifts, donations to crowdfunding campaigns posted by individuals, or gifts to donor-advised funds.

If you itemize your charitable contributions, you will now need to exceed a floor of 0.5% of your adjusted gross income (AGI) before contributions become deductible. Also for high-income itemizers, the tax benefit on deductions is capped at 35% of each dollar donated.

• Read more on What 2026 Tax Code Changes Mean for Charitable Giving

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Recent Reports

We are always working with charities to publish or update reports for donors. Visit Give.org or local BBBs to check out any charity before giving. Our recently evaluated charities include:

• National Credit Union Foundation
• Western Environmental Law Center
• The Pink Fund

Finally, remember to let us know by going to give.org/charity-inquiry if you are interested in seeing a report on a charity not on the list and we will do our best to produce one.