How can you ensure your donation makes an impact?

2 Align your values

Another important factor to consider is whether the charity's mission and vision align with your own values and goals. What causes are you passionate about? What problems do you want to solve? What approaches do you prefer? You can use online tools, such as Giving Compass, Philanthropy Together, or Effective Altruism, to discover your giving profile, find like-minded donors, or explore different ways of giving. You can also contact the charity directly and ask questions about its work, its challenges, and its plans.

4 Follow up

After you make your donation, you should not forget about it. You should follow up with the charity and see how your money is used and what impact it has. You can sign up for newsletters, updates, or feedback reports from the charity, or visit its website or social media pages to see its progress and achievements. You can also reach out to the charity and ask for more information, or share your feedback and suggestions. You can also spread the word about the charity and its work, and encourage others to donate as well.

5 Evaluate your giving

Finally, you should evaluate your giving and see if it meets your expectations and goals. You can use online tools, such as Giving Planner, Impact Calculator, or Giving Evidence, to track your donations, measure your impact, or compare your performance with other donors. You can also reflect on your giving experience and see what you learned, what you enjoyed, and what you would do differently. You can also celebrate your giving and acknowledge the positive difference you made.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?