People who give to charities want to know that their donated money is achieving the goal and/or reaching the people it is intended for.
But not all charities are equal.
The organisation called Charity Intelligence Canada evaluates charities to see which ones achieve the best results with the money they are given. Kate Bahen is the Managing Director.
ListenThe organisation has just put out their 2018 “top ten” list of the best Canadian charities. They have rated and reviewed some 760 Canadian charities, many with international connections.
Kate Bahen, Managing Director, Charity Intelligence Canada
The base the “star” ratings on four criteria:
- -financial transparency
- -information provided to donors about work achieved
- -analysis of funds held
- -overhead costs
- The charity Diabetes Canada had to cut staff this year due to financial shortages. (Emma Davie-CBC)
They also have an “impact” rating which provides a picture of “the measurable difference the charity can achieve for each dollar donated” This is both in terms of the difference to society and to the people using the charity.
On their website, they also have a listing of the 100 highest rated charities.
Winnipeg Jets fans celebrate a win in April 2015. The team’s charitable foundation is among other sports charities getting low marks from a watchdog group for financial transparency and over-spending on fundraising. (David Lipnowski/The Canadian Press)
Bahen says that as we approach the Christmas season when the sense of giving increases, those who feel they want to help others should do some study to find out where their money will have the most effect for the cause they are concerned with.
Bahen says if a particular charity of interest has not been rated on the Charity Intelligence website, it does not necessarily mean it is a “bad” charity only that they have had a chance to analyse it yet.
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