The best nonprofit charities help more people by using donations efficiently.
Deciding which charity to support can be easy if you have personally benefited from one, but it can be difficult without such experience. Organizations, such as Charity Navigator and the American Institute of Philanthropy, evaluate charities and rate them to help you make objective decisions and be confident that your donations will help those you want to help. Charity Navigator's ratings range from one to four stars. The American Institute of Philanthropy's ratings range from A to F. Following are descriptions of some of the charities highly rated by these two organizations.
Helping the Blind and Visually Impaired
The American Institute for Philanthropy gives an A rating to several charities that help the blind and visually impaired. The Guide Dog Foundation gives guide dogs to blind people. Helen Keller International finds ways to reach vulnerable people around the world with simple, low-cost solutions for preventing some of the causes of blindness and malnutrition. The National Federation of the Blind helps integrate the blind into society by educating the public and working to remove discrimination.
Supporting Troops
Charity Navigator gives a four-star rating to several charities that support U.S. troops. The Fisher House Foundation has locations at military medical centers to assist families in need and to provide a supportive environment. The Disabled American Veterans Charitable Service Trust assists physically and psychologically disabled veterans and shelters homeless veterans. Homes for Our Troops provides homes for severely injured service men and women and their families. Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors provides crisis intervention and grief and trauma resources to survivors.
Protecting and Sponsoring Children
The American Institute for Philanthropy gives an A rating to several charities involved in protecting and sponsoring children. Child Find of America helps locate missing children and provides confidential assistance to parents dealing with visitation, custody and child support issues. The National Center for Missing & Exploited Children works with the U.S. Department of Justice to locate missing children and reduce the occurrence of child exploitation and victimization. Compassion International and the Christian Foundation for Children and Aging offer child sponsorship programs.
Preventing and Curing Breast Cancer
Charity Navigator gives a four-star rating to several charities that have a goal of preventing and curing breast cancer. Susan G. Komen for the Cure is a network of breast cancer survivors and activists working to save lives and provide quality care for those with this disease. The National Breast Cancer Foundation educates women about early detection and provides access to free and low-cost mammograms. Living Beyond Breast Cancer offers services to women with breast cancer and to those at high risk for developing it.
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