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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.

Across the world organizations are joining forces to help donors stay vigilant against charity fraud.

What Is Charity Fraud Awareness Week?

This week, we’d like to draw attention to the Fraud Advisory Panel and the Charity Commission for England and Wales’ Charity Fraud Awareness Week, taking place from December 8–12 this year.

The goal of this campaign is to bring together organizations across the charity and not-for-profit sectors worldwide to raise awareness and share best practices for preventing fraud and cybercrime.

According to the Fraud Advisory Panel’s Charity Fraud Report 2024, among 139 participating charities, 42% reported experiencing fraud or attempted fraud. Of the detected cases, 50% were committed by individuals within the organization, and 44% of charities did not have a fraud response plan in place.

Common Charity Scams Donors Should Watch For

To help you stay safe from fraud this giving season, we’d like to outline some of the ways bad actors may attempt to scam you and what to watch out for, along with a few tips to consider before making a donation.

Keep in mind that scams can take many forms, and fraudsters may try to target you through direct mail, telemarketing, online platforms, or anywhere you choose to give.

Bad actors may attempt to scam you by:

• Tugging at your heartstrings. Many scammers prey on good intentions by sharing emotional stories about people or animals in desperate need, often without providing specific or verifiable details. They may also exploit humanitarian crises or natural disasters to deceive donors and take advantage of your well-intended, hard-earned money.
• Using a slightly altered version of a real charity’s name. Fraudsters will sometimes use names that are very similar to those of trusted charities, counting on people not taking the time to verify that they’re giving to the legitimate organization.
• Taking advantage of individuals who can’t recall whether they’ve donated before. Unfortunately, they sometimes target people with cognitive challenges, pretending that the person has previously supported their organization.
• Using crowdfunding. Scammers will often use online resources such as social media platforms to trick individuals into giving to a made-up person or tragedy through use of fraudulent stories and photos. These criminals might also use AI technology to help create images or even stories.

Tips to Consider Before You Give

• Think before you click. Be careful not to click on links or scan QR codes before you’ve vetted an organization. Visit charity websites to confirm the organization’s identity.
• Match the name. Ensure you’re giving to the right charity, also by visiting charity websites and cross-checking to confirm the correct name.
• Be wary of false identity. If you get an appeal from a charity staff member through email or social media, you can contact the charity directly to ensure they are an employee of the organization to which you intend to give.
• Look for government registration. About 80% of states require charities to register with either their attorney general’s office or secretary of state. Check here to see if the charity in question is registered with the IRS to solicit funds, but keep in mind that registration is not an endorsement.

Use Give.org to Avoid Charity Fraud

Visit Give.org to see if the charity meets all 20 of our Standards for Charity Accountability.

Giving to a BBB Accredited Charity can help you give with confidence. As always, trust but verify.

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Building Trust Series: Beverly Francis-Gibson CEO of Together Women Rise

In this episode of our Building Trust Video series, we talk with Beverley Francis-Gibson, Chief Executive Officer of Together Women Rise. Read our full report on the organization here.

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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 Foundation for Advancement in the Arts
• Operation Homefront
• One ATTA Time

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 GivingTuesday approaches, a new BBB WGA Donor Trust Report reveals a concerning truth: most Americans are unaware that many charities are struggling with funding cuts and rising demand — a disconnect that could limit the season’s generosity.

What the Donor Trust Report Reveals About Public Awareness in 2025

Last week, BBB WGA released its newest Donor Trust Report on Public Awareness of Challenges Facing the Charitable Sector in 2025.

Many charities faced a challenging year in 2025, marked by significant reductions in federal funding, new federal interpretations of DEI policies and funding criteria, and rising demand for services, all compounded by political polarization and a declining donor base.

The report examines public awareness and reactions.

Generational Gaps in Perception: Who Believes Charities Are Well-Funded?

We found that only 32% of U.S. adults surveyed were aware that the federal government had reduced its support for charities in 2025.

Many Americans, particularly younger generations, believe charities are actually receiving more government funding — not less.

For example, 43% of Generation Alpha respondents (ages 18–20) believed government funding had increased, compared to just 17% of Baby Boomers.

Yet, among those who were aware, 65% viewed the cuts as either “somewhat” or “very” negative, citing concern for the most vulnerable communities.

Why These Misperceptions Matter — Especially Now

As we approach GivingTuesday, the global day for generosity to charities, these findings suggest that a fundamental misalignment between perception and reality may hinder public responsiveness.

5 Tips to Give Wisely in the Face of Charity Funding Cuts

For those hoping to support charities affected by funding cuts this giving season, we offer a few tips to consider:

1. Support Organizations Affected by Federal Funding Cuts. During this giving season, there are many opportunities to help charities that are struggling in the wake of federal funding cuts, including food banks, shelters, disaster preparedness, and others.
2. Consider Different Ways to Help. There are multiple ways to support charities beyond financial donations, such as volunteering, giving goods, or helping raise awareness for their cause.
3. Get the charity’s exact name. With so many charities in existence, mistaken identity is a common problem. Thousands of organizations include terms like “cancer” in their names but are not connected to one another.
4. Check websites for basics. A charity’s mission, program and finances should be available on its site.
5. Verify the charity’s trustworthiness. Access reports on Give.org to identify if a charity meets the 20 BBB Charity Standards. Also, many states require charities to register, usually with the office of the attorney general, before soliciting.

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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:

• Center for Reproductive Rights
• Days End Farm Horse Rescue
• Freedom House Ministries

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.

What happens when a charity crosses legal lines? Read about our latest update on recent government actions taken against nonprofits and why that matters to you as a donor.

What Is the Government Actions Against Charities Page?

This week, BBB WGA would like to highlight our Government Settlement Agreements and Actions Against Charities page, which summarizes government actions taken by state and/or federal agencies, such as attorneys general or secretaries of state, against charities.

These actions are primarily drawn from the National Association of State Charities Officials (NASCO) 2024 and 2025 annual reports, an association of state offices tasked with regulating and overseeing charities that solicit donations from the public in the United States. Our page also includes final actions brought to BBB Wise Giving Alliance’s attention from other sources.

How BBB WGA Uses Government Information in Charity Reports

While our voluntary BBB Standards for Charity Accountability go beyond what is required by government regulators, when government actions come to our attention, we review each case to determine whether the outcome affects our report, considering the specific circumstances as well as the timing.

Our list is not intended to be comprehensive but covers many cases involving both alleged deceptive solicitations and alleged governance or break of fiduciary duty cases.

Why This List Matters for Donors

We encourage you to check our list if you believe you may be receiving solicitations from a charity you suspect could be included.

You can also visit our alphabetical list of charity reports. When there is a recent government action involving a charity, we add a note in the body of the report describing the circumstances and outcomes of the case.

View the Full List of Government Settlement Agreements and Actions Against Charities

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How Agentic AI Can Empower Nonprofits: A Conversation with Zigment CEO Dikshant Dave

In this episode of AI & Trust in the Charitable Sector, Ezra Vazquez-D’Amico of BBB Wise Giving Alliance sits down with Dikshant Dave, CEO of Zigment, to explore how Agentic AI can help nonprofits do more with less—without compromising trust or mission. From real-world collaborations with BBB Accredited Charities like Hope for Ukraine and KABOOM!, to tools that automate engagement across chat, SMS, and social media, this conversation offers a practical look at how AI can enhance empathy, build trust, and strengthen relationships across the nonprofit ecosystem.

You can see the episode’s full description here. Interested in more content around AI and Nonprofits? Check out our AI & Trust in the Charitable Sector newsfeed.