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This Mental Health Awareness Month, we recognize the organizations and communities working every day to support mental wellness and reduce stigma.

This Year’s Theme: More Good Days, Together

Since 1949, May has marked Mental Health Awareness Month, dedicated to promoting mental wellness in the United States.

This year’s theme, “More Good Days, Together,” highlights the importance of personalized and community-centered approaches to mental health.

By encouraging reflection on what a “good day” means for different individuals and communities, the campaign seeks to connect people to mental health support, advance advocacy and education, and foster greater community engagement.

The Ongoing Need for Mental Health Support

According to the 2025 “The State of Mental Health in America,” 23.4% (about 60 million people) of American adults experienced a mental illness in 2024.

In addition, 17.7% (46 million) struggled with a substance use disorder; and 5.5% (14 million) reported serious thoughts of suicide.

While some measures showed improvement among youth aged 12 to 17, 11.3% (nearly 3 million) of these young people experienced a major depressive episode in 2024.

Why Access to Mental Health Care Still Matters

Beyond the prevalence of mental illness and substance use disorders, the report points to other concerning trends.

More than 77% of adults with substance use disorders in 2023 and 2024 did not receive treatment, while 28.6% of adolescents did not receive a preventive health visit in 2024.

The report also found that one quarter of adults experiencing mental illness were uninsured.

Supporting Someone Struggling With Mental Health Challenges

With so many friends, neighbors, and family members affected by mental health and substance use challenges, Mental Health Awareness Month is an important opportunity to consider how we can support one another.

This May, we share some of the recommendations offered by BBB Accredited Charity National Alliance on Mental Health (NAMI):

• Speak up against mental health stigma.

• Share personal experiences and listen to others to help build stronger community connections.

• Help create supportive spaces that foster understanding, connection, and healing for those affected by mental illness and substance use disorders.

Supporting Trusted Mental Health Charities

If you’d like to support mental health charities this May, consider starting with our 20 Standards for Charity Accountability and finding specific charities through our Alphabetical List.

Below are a few of our Accredited Charities working every day to address mental health challenges:

• Brain and Behavior Research Foundation (NARSAD) funds scientific research on the causes, treatment, and prevention of mental illnesses, including depression, schizophrenia, anxiety disorders, autism, bipolar disorder, OCD, and PTSD.

• Mental Health America promotes mental health as part of overall wellness through prevention, early identification, intervention, integrated care initiatives, advocacy, education, and research.

• NAMI works to improve the lives of individuals affected by mental illness through advocacy, awareness, education, and research. Its volunteer network delivers peer-led education programs, skills training, and support services for community members.

• Wounded Warrior Project provides free programs and services for veterans and service members, including outdoor rehabilitative retreats, peer support, and professional assistance. It also offers support in financial education, employment services, and benefits navigation.

If you or anyone you know is at risk of suicide, please call the Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or visit 988 Lifeline.

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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:

• Hope For Ukraine
• Rare
• Store to Door

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.

At a time when fewer people are giving to charities, new research points to an important opportunity: many donors are open to giving more, but trust still matters.

The 2026 Donor Trust Report: Trends in Donor Trust

Yesterday, BBB Wise Giving Alliance released the Give.org Donor Trust Report 2026: Trends in Donor Trust and Perspectives. 

Based on a December 2025 survey of more than 1,500 U.S. adults and nine years of trend data, the report examines donor trust, engagement, and giving preferences.

The findings arrive at a time when donor participation is declining and giving is increasingly concentrated among a smaller group of major contributors.

Donors Are Open to Giving More—Especially Younger Donors

The survey revealed one of the highest levels of openness to solicitation in the past nine years, with 42.1% of U.S. adults saying they are open to give more.

Within this group, 27.9% said they might give more if asked, and 14.1% would like charities to reach out more often.

Openness is especially strong among younger generations, particularly Gen Zers, who express a high willingness to give more if asked and be approached by charities more often (63%), even as their current donation rates remain comparatively low.

Charity Trust Is Improving, but Not Equally Across Causes

Encouragingly, the survey also suggests that trust is improving for many charities, with 12 of 13 charity categories experiencing increases in high-trust between 2024 and 2025.

At the same time, trust is not evenly distributed. Preferences vary by generation, with older donors tending to place higher trust in health and veterans organizations, while younger generations show stronger trust in causes such as animal welfare and civil rights.

Where Donors Look for Information Before Giving

Among donors who actively seek information before giving, the most influential resources remain charities’ own websites (54%) and third-party evaluators (39%).

AI Summaries Are Emerging, but Trust Still Starts Elsewhere

Notably, 2025 marks the first year AI summaries were included as a research option.

According to survey participants, AI-generated summaries still play a limited role in giving decisions, with only 7% of donors saying their giving choices are meaningfully influenced by AI summaries as of the end of 2025.

The Trust Gap Charities Still Need to Close

Despite these encouraging results, a persistent trust gap remains: 67.7% of respondents say trusting a charity is essential before donating, yet only 18.3% report high trust.

This gap has remained relatively stable over the past nine years and continues to shape donor behavior.

Taken together, the findings reflect a broader disconnect between opportunity and engagement.

See the Full Donor Trust Report

Visit the Give.org Donor Trust Report 2026: Trends in Donor Trust and Perspectives page to explore key findings and shareable infographics on donor openness to solicitation and the state of trust in the charitable sector.

• Key Report Findings & Infographics 
• Donor Openness to Solicitation (infographic)
• The State of Trust in the Charitable Sector (infographic)
• Download the Full Report (PDF)

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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:

• American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals
• Hearing Health Foundation
• Hope for Haiti’s Children

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.

A case involving alleged stolen charity funds shows how quickly weak oversight can put donations, a charity’s mission, and public trust at risk.

Oregon Lawsuit Alleges Disaster Relief Funds Were Stolen

On April 16, Oregon Attorney General Dan Rayfield filed a lawsuit against Marcus Brooks, the founder and executive director of Cascade Relief Team (CRT).

Brooks established the charity in September 2020, purportedly offering aid to victims of fires, floods, and tornadoes in Oregon (during one of the state’s most destructive wildfire seasons) and in Kentucky.

Alleged Wild Spending, Not On Disaster Aid

The lawsuit alleges that Brooks diverted contributions and government grants for personal use, including spending at casinos, on personal vacations including Disneyland, as well as on vehicles and personal bills.

Among the alleged misused funds are $270,861 for Brooks’s credit card payments, loans, and other bills, and another $67,885 spent on rent, child support payments, liquor, strip clubs, and jewelry.

A Red Cross Grant Meant for Tornado Victims Comes Under Scrutiny

The lawsuit further claims that a $326,000 Red Cross grant to CRT, intended to help tornado victims in Kentucky, ended up in an overdrawn CRT account and incurred $17,000 in overdraft fees.

According to the lawsuit, Brooks claimed the remaining $309,000 went toward restructuring CRT, but the funds were allegedly used to start a personal business.

CRT ran out of money in 2023, and Brooks allegedly fired all staff members without notice to donors, beneficiaries, or the communities meant to benefit from CRT’s programs.

The Governance Gaps Behind the Allegations

The lawsuit alleges that Brooks was solely in charge of CRT’s finances and that the organization was not adequately governed.

According to the complaint, none of the board members listed on CRT’s government filings attended meetings or reviewed financial records, and there may have been no meaningful financial records.

The complaint further alleges that Brooks ran funds through 26 different bank accounts, opening and draining accounts, and accepting loans on CRT’s behalf that were never deposited but repaid with CRT funds. 

The district attorney is seeking a court order requiring Brooks to repay the funds, barring him from serving in a leadership role at a charity in the future, and shutting down CRT.

What Strong Charity Oversight Should Look Like

While the lawsuit against Brooks will take some time to conclude, it serves as a reminder to charities about the importance of strong governance practices.

Our 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability offer guidance on strong oversight and governance practices that help reduce the risk of financial mismanagement and maintain transparency, accountability, and public trust.

Below are some highlights from our governance standards, many of which directly relate to the accusations against Marcus Brooks:

• Maintain a board with at least five members

• Hold at least three board meetings per year

• Hold regular CEO performance reviews conducted by the board

• The board should oversee and approve the budget, fundraising practices, conflict of interest policies, and accounting procedures

• Limit the number of compensated board members and ensure that the board chair and board treasurer are not compensated

• Establish and enforce a conflict of interest policy, including procedures for arm’s-length transactions

See Other Government Actions Involving Charities

Cases like this one are not the only time government authorities take action involving charitable organizations.

Give.org’s Government Settlement Agreements and Actions Against Charities page highlights a representative sample of 2024 and 2025 final actions involving charities, including matters related to alleged deceptive solicitation, governance issues, and breaches of fiduciary duty.

Reviewing these cases can help donors and charities better understand the kinds of oversight concerns that may arise—and why accountability practices matter before problems occur.

Disaster Relief Giving Tips for Donors

As hurricane and wildfire season approaches, we will provide guidance to help donors make informed disaster relief contributions tailored to specific events.

In the meantime, here are general disaster relief tips to keep in mind. 

Remember: Don’t just Give. Give wisely.

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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:

• Robert & Ethel Kennedy Human Rights Center
• Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation
• Thomas Jefferson Foundation

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.

Earth Day 2026 is a chance to do more than celebrate—it’s a chance to get involved and support trusted environmental charities making a difference. 

Why Earth Day Matters

For more than 55 years, Earth Day has brought people together in support of environmental protection.

Launched by U.S. Senator Gaylord Nelson after the 1969 Santa Barbara oil spill, it began as a nationwide teach-in and helped build momentum for major environmental actions, including the creation of the Environmental Protection Agency and landmark laws like the Clean Air Act and Clean Water Act.

How to Get Involved on Earth Day 2026

Earth Day 2026’s theme, “Our Power, Our Planet,” highlights that environmental progress isn’t driven by any single administration or election, but by the everyday actions of communities, educators, workers, innovators, and families.

People support environmental causes for many reasons, from a love of nature to concerns about sustainability, health, and justice. If you are looking to get involved this Earth Day, here’s a map of Earth Day Events around the country.

You can also check with local community centers, churches, and schools, which often host their own activities and projects.

Tips for Supporting Environmental Charities Wisely

Here are a few tips to keep in mind when supporting environmental charities.

• Join a Small Share with Big Potential: According to Giving USA’s Annual Report on Philanthropy for 2024, Environmental and Animal causes account for just 3% of all charitable giving. But momentum is building, with donations increasing 7.7% between 2023 and 2024. This Earth Day, you can build on that momentum.

• Find the Right Environmental Cause for You: Environmental charities address a wide range of issues, including conservation and wildlife protection, climate change, and environmental justice. As you consider giving, think about which issues matter most to you. Explore our Environmental Charities Cause page to understand the five major categories of environmental organizations to help you find the best fit.

• Understand What Your Donation Supports: Do you know what your donation supports? Look for environmental charities that share clear information about their mission, program accomplishments, governance, and finances through their websites, annual reports, and newsletters. These resources can help you understand how your contribution is used and the impact it makes.

• Choose Charities You Can Trust: Trust matters when deciding where to give. Look for charities that meet the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability, which evaluate key accountability areas, such as governance, effectiveness assessment, financial responsibility, and accuracy of communication materials, here.  

This Earth Day, every action counts. Whether you give, volunteer, or spread awareness, your support can help protect the environment, and the people and animals who depend on it, while creating lasting change.

Explore Trusted Environmental Charities for Earth Day

To help you get started, we have highlighted a list of nationally-soliciting BBB Accredited environmental charities below. These organizations meet all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

They reflect a range of missions, from conservation and wildlife protection to climate, parks, and community-based environmental work. Click any of the charity names below to learn more about their programs and to see their full report.

Looking for more options? Explore our full Environmental Charities or Animal Charities cause pages to find additional organizations aligned with your values.

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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:

• Michael J Fox Foundation for Parkinson’s Research
• National Jewish Health
• Vital Ground Foundation

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.

Looking to give back? Volunteering is a simple way to support your community and find purpose along the way.

Why Volunteering Matters for You and Your Community

Research on happiness suggests that a happy life is supported by three core elements: purpose, connection, and enjoyment.

Volunteering for a cause you care about offers many of the ingredients that make life meaningful. Purpose comes from contributing to something larger than yourself; connection grows through shared experiences with others; and enjoyment often sneaks in when you least expect it, through moments of satisfaction and good company.

Volunteering channels these elements into something even greater: a meaningful contribution to the well-being of others.

National Volunteer Month: A Reminder of What’s Possible

On National Volunteer Month, we celebrate the nearly one-third of Americans who formally volunteer each year (and more than half who do so less formally). Collectively, they help create a more caring and connected world.

Mentoring a student, joining a clean-up event, helping to distribute food, offering your professional skills, or building a playground, all bring people together and help make communities stronger and more joyful.

How to Start Volunteering (Even If You’re New)

This month is also a great opportunity to consider joining the volunteer force. No prior experience required. However you choose to engage, volunteering reinforces the very elements that help improve both your life and your community.

If you are looking to get involved, here are a few tips to help you get started:

• Start with purpose: Choose something that matters to you. Volunteering is most rewarding when it connects to something you genuinely care about, whether that is education, food security, the environment, or animal welfare. Even a small commitment feels meaningful when it aligns with your values.

• Build connection: Look for opportunities with people (or animals, if they’re more your cup of tea). Some of the most fulfilling volunteer experiences come from working alongside others. Joining group activities, like mentoring programs, food drives, or pet adoption events, can turn volunteering into both a service and social experience.

• Enjoy it: Don’t overthink it. Not every moment needs to feel profound. Whether you prefer to share your skills or try something outside your comfort zone, some of the most meaningful experiences come from unexpected places
• Start small and stay consistent: Volunteering doesn’t need to be a huge time commitment. Even a few hours a month can make a difference. Small actions can build lasting habits and relationships.

• Volunteer with Trustworthy Charities: Visit Give.org and verify if the charity you’re considering meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

Volunteering may bring purpose, connection, and joy, but ultimately contributes to something larger than yourself. Getting started is often the hardest part but, over time, you may find you gain as much as you give.

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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:

• Hope for Ghana
• Special Operations Warrior Foundation
• Scholarship America

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.

Joint cost allocation may be a technical accounting concept, but it has real implications for how charities report expenses, demonstrate accountability, and build donor trust.

What Is Joint Cost Allocation?

Sometimes charities communicate with the public in ways that inform and inspire action while also asking for support. But when a single communication serves multiple purposes, how should those costs be reported?

Joint cost allocation is an accounting method that may be used by charities to allocate the costs of activities that combine programmatic or educational content with fundraising.

The original guidance was issued by the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants in Statement of Position 98-2 and is now codified in the Financial Accounting Standards Board Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) 958-720.

When Can Charities Use Joint Cost Allocation?

This accounting method is intended to allow organizations that genuinely conduct programmatic activities through combined communications (such as direct mail) to more accurately report their functional expenses. 

For example, an educational newsletter that includes a solicitation for donations and a qualifying call to action may qualify for joint cost allocation, provided the activity meets specific criteria related to purpose, audience, and content.

• Purpose: The material must have a genuine programmatic or educational purpose in addition to fundraising.
• Audience: The audience should not be selected primarily based on their likelihood to donate, but should include individuals who have a reasonable interest in the programmatic content.
• Content: The materials must include a clear “call to action” that encourages the recipient to take a specific action furthering the organization’s mission, other than making a donation. Examples may include contacting an elected official, supporting a public policy initiative, or seeking assistance from a medical or social service provider.

It is important that organizations apply joint cost allocation appropriately and only when the materials meet the criteria established by Generally Accepted Accounting Principles (GAAP), rather than using it to misclassify or overstate program expenses.

How BBB Standard 13 Applies to Joint Cost Allocation

BBB WGA Standard 13 calls for charities to accurately report their expenses and specifically addresses joint cost allocation. See all 20 BBB Charity Standards

When organizations report joint cost materials (such as mailed solicitations or telemarketing scripts) with more than 50% allocated to program expenses, this prompts additional review. As part of our evaluation process, organizations may be asked to provide copies of joint cost materials annotated to identify calls to action and to show how costs have been allocated among program, fundraising, and administrative functions.

Issues that may result in a charity not meeting Standard 13 include the absence of a qualifying call to action, failure to meet the purpose or audience criteria, or over-allocation of costs to program activities.

For more information, we encourage you to review our expanded guidance on joint cost allocation.

Accurate Expense Reporting Matters

Joint cost allocation may be technical, but its proper implementation matters: it helps ensure financial reporting reflects reality and builds donor trust.

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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:

• Children, Incorporated
• Global Catalytic Ministries
• Opportunity at Work

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.

 

Here are a few common myths about charitable giving — and the facts every donor should know.

What Donors Should Know About Common Giving Misconceptions

Giving to charity can be incredibly rewarding, but it is easy to get tripped up by common misconceptions.

From doubts about your ability to make a difference to questions about costs or transparency, charitable giving myths are common. Understanding the facts helps you support causes effectively and confidently.

Today, we’d like to debunk some misconceptions about charitable giving.

Do Only Wealthy Donors Make a Real Impact?

Myth: “Only wealthy donors can move the needle and help charities achieve their mission.”

Fact: Every dollar counts. Many charities rely on small but consistent gifts to further their mission.

Should Charities Avoid Fundraising Expenses?

Myth: “Charities shouldn’t have fundraising expenses.”

Fact: Well-run charities need reasonable administrative and fundraising expenses to operate effectively. Fundraising, in turn, supports the programs and services that drive impact. To help prevent fundraising expenses that are high relative to contributions, BBB Wise Giving Alliance Standard 9 calls for total fundraising expenses not to exceed 35% of total contributions.

Are There Tax Benefits to Charitable Giving?

Myth: “There aren’t tax benefits from giving to charitable organizations.”

Fact: Donations to 501(c)(3) charities can be tax-deductible. Beginning in 2026, non-itemizers can deduct up to $1,000 in cash gifts ($2,000 for joint filers).

Is It Too Risky to Give Because of Charity Scams?

Myth: “It’s dangerous to give because there are many charity scams.”

Fact: While it’s wise to stay alert for potential scams (which you can report), most charities work to advance meaningful causes. If you’re unsure, take a moment to research the organization and give with confidence.

How Can Donors Find Transparent and Accountable Charities?

Myth: “Charities aren’t open about how they operate.”

Fact: While not all charities are an open book, many charities prioritize openness and accountability to earn your trust. We recommend supporting BBB Accredited Charities, which have been found to meet our Standards related to governance, results reporting, finances, and truthful and transparent representation.

• Search for charities by name on Give.org
• Visit our A-Z National BBB Accredited Charity Reports list
• Explore charities by cause with AskGive, our AI-powered advisor

Taking a few moments to learn the facts behind charitable giving myths can help you give wisely and support causes that make a real difference.

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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:

• HOPE International
• Innovations for Poverty Action
• InvestED

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.

Charity fundraising oversight may happen behind the scenes, but it plays a critical role in keeping fundraising appeals accurate, transparent, and worthy of donor trust.

Building Fundraising Processes That Protect Donor Trust

BBB Wise Giving Alliance has years of experience working with charities to strengthen the truthfulness and transparency of their solicitation appeals.

Beyond our formal evaluation process, charities consult with us between biennial reviews to ensure their fundraising practices remain aligned with the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.

This week, we’re sharing a bit of “inside baseball” guidance for charities on how to structure effective oversight of their fundraising efforts and avoid common pitfalls in solicitation materials.

Strong Oversight Practices Help Prevent Mistakes

If your charity manages fundraising in-house, it’s important for teams to stay aligned and communicate clearly to avoid missteps.

We’ve seen cases where stronger oversight could have prevented misleading or inaccurate appeals. For example, having sensitive materials reviewed by legal or finance colleagues can help catch well-intentioned mistakes.

Practical Steps to Strengthen Charity Fundraising Oversight

The following “rules of thumb” can help charities reduce the risk of problematic appeals that could put donor trust in jeopardy:

• Identify key players who should review fundraising copy and plans, including legal and finance representatives, among others.

• Establish an organizational checklist that outlines your organization’s unique fundraising practices and procedures, incorporating lessons learned from past issues to prevent them from recurring.

• Formalize the fundraising review process to ensure it occurs consistently, rather than sporadically. For example, you might assign clear responsibilities, use a standard checklist, and ensure oversight happens before new appeals are distributed.

• Develop a culture of disclosure where sharing information is valued and considered essential to organizational transparency.

Oversight Responsibilities When Working with Fundraising Firms

If your charity contracts with outside fundraising firms, it’s critical that both the board and staff are part of the process.

BBB Charity Standard 1 calls for outside arrangements with fundraising firms to be made in writing and shared with the charity’s board of directors. This gives the board an opportunity to review key financial terms, such as the expected portion of gross proceeds that will benefit the charity.

Beyond good governance, careful oversight of these arrangements helps protect your organization from unfavorable agreements with fundraising firms.

Additional Guidance on Charity Fundraising Materials 

In addition to the above charity fundraising oversite tips, we recommend that charities review our Do’s and Don’ts in Fundraising Copy.

This resource provides guidance on avoiding common issues identified by our staff under BBB Charity Standard 15, requiring solicitation materials to be accurate, truthful, and not misleading. This standard applies to all fundraising materials, including calls, event invitations, print and broadcast ads, grant proposals, and online appeals.

We hope this guidance is helpful for development teams and other key players creating trustworthy fundraising content.

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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 Alzheimer’s Fund
• March of Dimes
• Mercy Multiplied America

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.