Did you know that Americans gave almost $600 billion to charity last year? And that for many charities, up to one-third of their donations come in over the holiday giving season? Tuesday December 2nd is GivingTuesday, a global movement that is the official kick-off for holiday giving.
How to Give Wisely on GivingTuesday
To help donors in this spirit of generosity, BBB Wise Giving Alliance offers the following advice.
Go to Give.org before contributing. There will be many options and opportunities to donate on GivingTuesday, but our best suggestion is to find out more about a charity before you contribute. Charities can demonstrate they are trustworthy by agreeing to in-depth evaluations in relation to the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Get free access to charity reports by visiting Give.org to find out if an organization is BBB Accredited (i.e., meets all 20 BBB Charity Standards.)
Be cautious about name confusion. When charities seek support for the same cause, the names can sometimes appear similar. Before you give, be sure you have the exact name of the charity to avoid a case of mistaken identity.
Understand registration requirements. In the U.S., about 40 states require charities to register with a government agency, usually a division of either the Attorney General’s office or Secretary of State’s office. (In Canada, check with the Canada Revenue Agency.) Keep in mind that registration with a government agency does not mean the government approves, recommends, or endorses the charity.
Consider tax-exempt status. There are over 1 million organizations that have applied for and received charitable tax-exempt status under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. In part, this means these groups are eligible to receive gifts that are deductible as charitable donations and will file an annual financial form with the IRS. It does not mean the Internal Revenue Service approves, recommends or endorses the charity. The following link provides access to IRS information on charities.
Watch out for overly emotional appeals. If an appeal brings tears to your eyes, make sure it is also clear about what the charity intends to do to address the issues. Visit the charities website for details about their program services.
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
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:
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.
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.
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.
Check websites for basics. A charity’s mission, program and finances should be available on its site.
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.
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:
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.
Arlington, VA (November 20, 2025) – According to new research from BBB’s Give.org, fewer than one in three respondents (32%) were aware of reductions in federal funding for charities in 2025. Among those who were aware, 65% viewed the cuts as either somewhat or very negative.
The standards-based charity-evaluation group today released the Give.org Donor Trust Report: Public Awareness of Challenges Facing the Charitable Sector in 2025. The report, based on a survey of more than 1,500 U.S. adults, gauges public awareness of the challenges faced by the charitable sector in 2025, including federal funding cuts, new federal interpretations of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI), and the perceived politization of the sector.
“Federal funding cuts are widely seen as harmful by those who are aware of them. Unfortunately, overall public awareness remains limited,” said Bennett Weiner, President and CEO of BBB’s Give.org, “transparency in communicating these cuts could help strengthen public support for affected organizations, as our results suggest that most people recognize these reductions impact the most vulnerable and influence which types of causes can prosper.”
Other report highlights include:
Only 9% of participants disagree with the statement “charities today are more involved in political issues than they were 10 years ago.”
When asked to place themselves on a scale between two statements: on one end “Charities are primarily engaged in promoting social good causes rather than political agendas,” and on the other “Charities are primarily engaged in political agendas rather than promoting social good causes,” 24% of Boomers, compared to only 13% of Gen Alphas, believe charities are primarily focused on promoting social good causes rather than political agendas.
Fewer than one in three respondents (32%) were aware of reductions in federal funding for charities in 2025. Younger participants were more likely to believe that charities received increased government funding during that year, with 43% of Gen Alphas, compared to 17% of Boomers, thinking government funding increased.
Among respondents aware of federal funding cuts for charities in 2025, most (65%) viewed these reductions as either somewhat negative (23%) or very negative (43%).
62% agree the significant federal funding cuts for charities impact the most vulnerable populations in the U.S., and 60% agree that these cuts will change the type of causes that can endure or thrive.
Among those aware of changes in federal DEI policies affecting charities, 53% viewed these changes negatively and 44% viewed them positively.
Generational age ranges used in the Give.org Donor Trust Report: Generation Alpha (18-20), Generation Z (21-27), Millennial (28-44) Generation X (45-60) Boomers (61-79), Matures (80 and above).
BBB’s Give.org urges donors to give thoughtfully by taking the time to investigate charities before making a donation and to visit Give.org to verify if a charity meets the 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability.
ABOUT BBB WISE GIVING ALLIANCE: BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB’s Give.org) is a standards-based charity evaluator that seeks to verify the trustworthiness of nationally soliciting charities by completing rigorous evaluations based on 20 holistic standards that address charity governance, results reporting, finances, fundraising, appeal accuracy and other issues. National charity reports are produced by BBB’s Give.org and local charity reports are produced by local Better Business Bureaus – all reports are available for free at Give.org.
ABOUT BBB: The Better Business Bureau has empowered people to find businesses and brands they can trust for over 110 years. In 2024, people turned to BBB more than 220 million times for BBB Business Profiles on 5.5 million businesses. Visit BBB.org for free access to these business reports. The International Association of Better Business Bureaus is the umbrella organization for the local, independent BBBs in the United States and Canada. (Please note that BBB reports on charities are now exclusively available at Give.org.)
MEDIA CONTACTS: For more information, journalists should contact Elvia Castro (703-247-9322 or ecastro@give.org)
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.
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.
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:
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.
In this episode of AI & Trust in the Charitable Sector Ezra from the BBB Wise Giving Alliance (Give.org) sits down with Dikshant Dave, CEO of Zigment, to discuss how Agentic AI is redefining what’s possible for nonprofits. Together, they explore how intelligent, trustworthy AI systems can extend human empathy, automate donor and volunteer engagement, and help organizations do more good with fewer resources — without ever losing sight of mission and values.
From early collaborations with BBB Accredited charities like Hope for Ukraine and KABOOM!, to real-world use cases such as AI-powered donor communication, multi-channel “conversation graphs,” and 24/7 empathetic support, this discussion dives deep into how technology can strengthen trust and scale impact across the nonprofit ecosystem.
In this conversation, you’ll learn:
Why nonprofits are uniquely positioned to benefit from Agentic AI.
How Zigment’s tools create “first-layer” engagement with donors and volunteers through chat, SMS, and social media — while staying true to each organization’s mission.
What “conversation graphs” mean for building consistent relationships across every touchpoint.
How trust, transparency, and data security can form the foundation of ethical AI adoption.
Why AI won’t replace human empathy — it frees staff to focus on the meaningful, mission-driven work that matters most.
Key takeaway:
AI isn’t here to replace people — it’s here to amplify their ability to connect, empathize, and create change. When built on trust and aligned with mission, Agentic AI becomes a force for good.
As we recognize International Fraud Awareness Week, BBB Wise Giving Alliance joins the global effort to spotlight how individuals and organizations can protect themselves with some key charity fraud prevention tips.
25 Years of Promoting Global Fraud Awareness
This week marks the 25th anniversary of International Fraud Awareness Week (November 16-22), dedicated to the global effort “to minimize the impact of fraud by promoting anti-fraud awareness and education.” The week was established by the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners (ACFE), a membership organization of over 95,000 professionals dedicated to anti-fraud training and education.
Understanding the Cost of Fraud Across Sectors
According to ACFE’s Occupational Fraud 2024: A Report to the Nations, businesses, governments, and nonprofits cumulatively lose approximately 5% of their revenue each year to fraud. The report is based on more than 1,900 cases of occupational fraud and explores costs, schemes, victims, and perpetrators of fraud.
Protect Your Donations and Charities Against Fraud
In honor of International Fraud Awareness Week, we’re sharing two sets of tips: first, tips to help donors avoid fraud; and second, tips from ACFE to help organizations protect themselves against fraud. While ACFE’s guidance is primarily aimed at small businesses, the advice is applicable to charitable organizations.
Donor Tips to Help Avoid Fraud This Giving Season
Don’t fall for excessive pressure to give. If a charity requests that you send money on the spot, be mindful that this could be a ruse to get you to contribute without doing your due diligence. Trustworthy charities will welcome your interest, give you time to verify their legitimacy, and accept your donation at your convenience.
Be cautious of vague fundraising appeals. Make sure that program descriptions are clear in any materials, including appeals, annual reports, or websites. Fraudsters might seek to tug at heartstrings without offering specifics.
Examine financial statements. While you shouldn’t rely solely on financial information before giving, be alert to groups that don’t readily share financial information or spend very little on program activities.
Avoid mistaken identity. Look carefully at names of charities to ensure you are giving to the right organization. Scammers will seek to use similar sounding names to confuse you.
Visit BBB’s Give.org to verify if a charity meets all 20 BBB Standards for Charity Accountability (i.e. a BBB Accredited Charity.) You can view our Alphabetical List of Charity Reports and search for charity reports here.
ACFE’s Best Practices to Reduce Organizational Fraud Risks
Adopt a code of ethics for management of employees and controls for identifying vulnerabilities.
Establish hiring procedures that verify educational credits and include background checks (as permitted by law).
Train employees in fraud prevention.
Provide an anonymous reporting system for employees and other stakeholders to help uncover fraud.
Communicate anti-fraud policies, consequences of fraudulent behavior, and ways to report fraud to staff.
Strengthening Cybersecurity to Protect Donor Data
BBB WGA also encourage charities to proactively keep data as safe from fraud as possible by strengthening cybersecurity measures. Here’s one approach to data security from the BBB.
We also encourage donors to always review a charity’s privacy policies online to see how the organization keeps your information safe.
Report Suspected Fraud Using BBB Scam Tracker
If you suspect you’ve been a victim of fraud, use BBB’s Scam Tracker to report or look up a scam for verification.
What Can AI Do for Nonprofits? A conversation with AFP’s Art Taylor and Zigment’s Dikshant Dave
In the latest of our AI Conversations with BBB Accredited Charities, we explore how AI can help—not replace—nonprofits. Bennett Weiner, President & CEO, BBB Wise Giving Alliance is joined by Art Taylor, CEO, AFP Global and Dikshant Dave, CEO of Zigment for a practical discussion on how AI is already supporting donor engagement, streamlining operations, and expanding impact. With real-life insights including an example from Yuriy Boyechko, CEO of Hope for Ukraine (a BBB Accredited Charity), this conversation is packed with ideas for nonprofits ready to explore ethical, mission-aligned AI tools.
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:
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.
