Every year, thousands of Americans donate to nonprofits for multiple reasons, including wanting to give back, supporting causes they believe in, and the tax benefits that come from donating.

The problem is, it’s not always easy to know which nonprofit to donate to or what is done with the money that is donated. Because of the vast number of nonprofits that exist, and the limited resources people have, the decision of where to donate can leave you feeling frustrated. In an ideal world, choosing where you want to donate your money wouldn’t be this difficult.

However, researching non-profits may provide you with clarity as to which one you should donate to.

Below are 5 questions to ask when choosing a non-profit to support:

1. Who do the nonprofits serve?

There might be a certain cause that may be closer to your heart than others. Knowing exactly which people benefit from the nonprofit should be something you should consider in your decision.

2. What services do the nonprofit provide?

Although many nonprofits may serve the same group of people, the services they provide may be very different. You may find that one nonprofit’s services are more helpful or beneficial than others.

3. What percentage of your donation will go to the actual people they serve?

Program expenses (the percentage of a nonprofits’ total expenses spent on the programs and services it delivers) varies from one organization to the other. Charity Navigator, an independent charity evaluator, shows the percentage of your donation goes to support the mission of a nonprofit.

4. How long has the non-profit been operating?

Data from the National Center on Charitable Statistics show that 30% of nonprofits fail to exist after 10 years due to poor planning, management, marketing, or accounting. You may want to consider non-profits that are well-established and respected.

5. How many organizations are working on the same problem?  

There can be multiple organizations working on the same problem, while there may only be a handful of nonprofits that aim to solve another problem. Putting your resources towards underserved problems may be more desirable.

Where Does DSCC Rank?

At DuPage Senior Citizens Council (DSCC) and Kane Senior Council (KSC), we are one of only a few organizations specifically helping older adults within our local communities. We strongly believe in helping improve the lives of those who are most frail, vulnerable, and, often forgotten. Since 1975, we have offered senior-focused services including home meal delivery, friendly phone calls, well-being checks, yard cleanups, and community dining.

Approximately 80 cents of every dollar we receive goes directly towards the services helping older adults live independently.

If helping older adults is something you identify with or you believe in our cause, please consider donating to DuPage Senior Citizens Council.

If you are doing research and want more information on our charity, you can find out how Charity Navigator rates us here.