If you were going to send me money, don't. These people need it more.
Pick what hits you and give directly. I don't take a cut and I don't track any of this.
Start here
Paying by UPI
Magic Bus India Foundation
Programmes that keep adolescents in school and move young people from education into livelihoods.
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12AB renewal certificate (Form 10AD, 29 Dec 2025)
80G renewal certificate (Form 10AD, 27 Mar 2026)
Audited financial statements FY2024-25, B S R & Associates LLP, dated 23 Sept 2025
The hosted FY2024-25 PDF has the balance sheet and income statement but not the auditor's opinion page, so the opinion type is unverified.
The statements show 'other long term liabilities' rising from Rs 10.74 lakh to Rs 8,498.69 lakh, probably deferred or restricted grants. Worth asking about.
No separate fundraising line; fundraising sits inside administration or activity costs.
Donation form asks for PAN and date of birth. Page footer says 50% 80G exemption for Indian citizens only.
82.73% of spending goes to programs (2024-25, Statement of Income and Expenditure FY2024-25 (Rs lakh): expenses on activities 18,504.73 of total expenditure 22,366.58. Administration 2,933.53 (13.12%), depreciation 928.32 (4.15%). Read from a scan.). Fees on this route: None stated on the page..
Paying by card
GiveWell Top Charities Fund
almost all of your money goes to the help what this means
the first place I'd start. GiveWell allocates the fund among its recommended programs as funding needs change.
About $6 buys a net; about $7 protects a child from malaria for a season (GiveWell's estimates).
Give on GiveWell's pageWhat it funds
The four programs on that page:
- Malaria Consortium: seasonal malaria prevention, about $7 per child.
- Against Malaria Foundation: insecticide-treated nets, about $6 per net.
- Helen Keller Intl: vitamin A supplements for children.
- New Incentives: cash incentives for caregivers to get children vaccinated.
GiveWell's estimates for grants made in 2022–2024 put the malaria and vaccine programs at roughly $4,000–$5,500 per life saved. Its vitamin A estimate is about $3,500, so the full four-program range is $3,500–$5,500. These are modeled estimates, not a promise about an individual donation.
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96.4% of spending goes to programs (2024, Clear Fund (GiveWell) 2024 audited financial statements: program services $177,309k of total expenses $183,889k. Unmodified opinion. The 2025 audit was not yet posted as of the July 2026 note on GiveWell's records page.). Fees on this route: Quote: "If you donate to our Top Charities Fund, All Grants Fund, or individual Top Charities, 100% of your donation (after credit card fees, subject to our grant approval process) will be granted out to charities—GiveWell does not take any portion of these donations." (givewell.org/donate). Card fees are taken from the gift: 2.60% (3.60% AMEX) + $0.40 per card or Apple/Google Pay gift, so $100 becomes $97.00. ACH is 0.8% + $1.00, capped at $5.60, so $100 becomes $98.20 (givewell.org/giving-options). That is at or under 5% for card gifts of about $17 or more ($29 or more on AMEX). The donor cannot add the fee on top. Operating costs: "We generally use unrestricted funding for operating expenses" and "We do not take a percentage of donations made to recommended organizations through GiveWell's website" (givewell.org/about/FAQ). The Top Charities page also says "we take zero fees"..
No fraud, diversion or misuse by GiveWell or its four Top Charities found in a search on 3 Oct 2026.
Or choose where it goes
Right now
Gaza
WFP Palestine emergency
food assistance; follow the appeal's donation link.
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88% of spending goes to programs (2025, WFP 2025 audited financial statements, Statement V (actual, commitment basis): direct support costs USD 463.9m + PSA 432.3m + corporate initiatives 55.4m = USD 951.6m of USD 7,920.4m (12.0%). Indirect costs alone (PSA + initiatives) are 6.2%, which would give 93.8%. The 88.0% figure counts all support-labelled costs. Unqualified opinion signed by the President of the German Supreme Audit Institution, 16 April 2026.). Fees on this route: WFP's own FAQ for individual donors: "For every US$1 given by an individual donor to WFP, 64 cents goes directly to programmes supporting people facing hunger, while 28 cents supports fundraising activities... A further 2 cents is used to process the donation, and 6 cents help run WFP and its programmes." (wfp.org/stories/thinking-about-donating-help-end-hunger-your-questions-answered, dated 30 Sep 2026, no year given for the split). The donation form itself (donate.wfp.org) loads without any fee text. Donor cannot cover fees as far as the loaded page shows. The emergency page itself states nothing about fees or percentages..
WFP disclosed widespread food diversion in Ethiopia on 9 June 2023 with no loss figure (halted general food aid, added controls).
UNRWA donations
support for Palestine refugees. This is a general fund, not a verified Gaza-only allocation.
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UNRWA needs a specific caveat: in August 2024, the UN said nine staff would be dismissed because they may have been involved in the 7 October attacks. The investigation did not establish that allegation against all 19 staff investigated. UN investigation findings — Tier 1.
Not established: UNRWA's audited 2024 statements (A/80/5/Add.4) could not be loaded (UN Digital Library returned 403). UNRWA's own pages say its 2024 UN Board of Auditors audit found 'no major deficiencies' (search snippet, not read in full). Fees on this route: The donate form has an optional box 'I'll cover the transaction fees... so more of my donation goes toward UNRWA's mission' (fee amount not shown without JavaScript). Page states its Zakat programme passes 100% of Zakat to refugees. No fee rate stated..
UN Board of Auditors audit exists (A/80/5/Add.4); not read
UN OIOS investigation (Aug 2024): of 19 staff, evidence that 9 may have been involved in the 7 Oct 2023 attacks, 9 insufficient evidence, 1 no evidence.
Sudan
WFP Sudan emergency
food assistance; follow the appeal's donation link.
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88% of spending goes to programs (2025, WFP 2025 audited financial statements, Statement V (actual, commitment basis): direct support costs USD 463.9m + PSA 432.3m + corporate initiatives 55.4m = USD 951.6m of USD 7,920.4m (12.0%). Indirect costs alone (PSA + initiatives) are 6.2%, which would give 93.8%. The 88.0% figure counts all support-labelled costs. Unqualified opinion signed by the President of the German Supreme Audit Institution, 16 April 2026.). Fees on this route: WFP's own FAQ for individual donors: "For every US$1 given by an individual donor to WFP, 64 cents goes directly to programmes supporting people facing hunger, while 28 cents supports fundraising activities... A further 2 cents is used to process the donation, and 6 cents help run WFP and its programmes." (wfp.org/stories/thinking-about-donating-help-end-hunger-your-questions-answered, dated 30 Sep 2026, no year given for the split). The donation form itself (donate.wfp.org) loads without any fee text. Donor cannot cover fees as far as the loaded page shows..
WFP disclosed widespread food diversion in Ethiopia on 9 June 2023 with no loss figure (halted general food aid, added controls).
UNICEF Sudan appeal
health, nutrition, water, education and protection for children. Check the destination fund after any regional redirect.
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88.6% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNICEF 2024 audited financial statements (A/80/5/Add.3), Statement V actuals: programmatic USD 7,177.6m of USD 8,099.3m total (88.6%); institutional budget USD 682.3m and private fundraising USD 239.4m counted as non-programme. Unqualified opinion. The 2025 audited statements are not yet published (UNICEF presented the 2024 set to its Board in January 2026).). Fees on this route: No fee or cost split stated on the appeal page (its Donate button goes to help.unicef.org, which shows no fee text). UNICEF's 2025 Private Fundraising and Partnerships report says the net private-sector surplus was 87.3% of private-sector revenue (2024: 86.4%), so about 12.7% of private revenue goes to raising it (unaudited report to the Executive Board, 2025)..
UN Board of Auditors, 2024 financial statements, unqualified opinion
No fraud or misuse figure found.
Nepal floods Aug 2026
Nepal Prime Minister Disaster Relief Fund
the government channel comes first. Choose its credit-card option.
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- Government's August 2026 relief appeal — Tier 1 — confirms the official funds for the flood response; this is a source page.
No published accounts or audit found. Secondary sources say the Auditor General audits the fund annually, but I loaded no audit report or account statement. Fees on this route: Quote: "A convenience fee of 3.5% of the transaction amount, or a minimum of USD 1.00, whichever is higher, will be levied on card payment transactions and added to your donation amount." The fee is added on top, so the donor pays it; the fund receives the full amount. On gifts under about $28.60 the minimum $1 is above 5%. Bank-transfer details are also listed..
UNICEF Nepal flood response
support for children and families; follow the official donation route and check the selected fund.
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88.6% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNICEF 2024 audited financial statements (A/80/5/Add.3), Statement V actuals: programmatic USD 7,177.6m of USD 8,099.3m total (88.6%); institutional budget USD 682.3m and private fundraising USD 239.4m counted as non-programme. Unqualified opinion. The 2025 audited statements are not yet published (UNICEF presented the 2024 set to its Board in January 2026).). Fees on this route: No fee or cost split stated on the appeal page (its Donate button goes to help.unicef.org, which shows no fee text). UNICEF's 2025 Private Fundraising and Partnerships report says the net private-sector surplus was 87.3% of private-sector revenue (2024: 86.4%), so about 12.7% of private revenue goes to raising it (unaudited report to the Executive Board, 2025)..
UN Board of Auditors, 2024 financial statements, unqualified opinion
No fraud or misuse figure found.
IFRC / Nepal Red Cross flood appeal
donations go to IFRC for the Nepal Red Cross response. Credit-card giving is available.
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77.5% of spending goes to programs (2025, IFRC 2025 consolidated audited statements, note 3.1: programmes (humanitarian response + thematic) CHF 408,295k of operating expenditure CHF 526,754k (77.5%); the rest is regular resources CHF 89,520k and supplementary services CHF 28,939k. Indirect cost recovery on humanitarian response is CHF 14,559k of CHF 235,360k (6.2%). True-and-fair opinion from Forvis Mazars SA.). Fees on this route: No fee text on the appeal page; one-time and monthly CHF amounts only. No option to cover fees shown..
Not established.
Yemen
WFP Yemen response
food assistance and nutrition support. Its donation route — Tier 1 loaded; check the allocation and recurring-gift setting.
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Myanmar
WFP Myanmar response
food and cash assistance for people affected by conflict and disasters. Donation route — Tier 1.
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Ukraine
WFP Ukraine response
food and cash assistance. Donation route — Tier 1.
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Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
WFP DRC response
food and nutrition support for people facing conflict and displacement. The page leads to WFP's general donation form — Tier 1; it is not a DRC-only fund.
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Syria
UNICEF Syria appeal
health, nutrition, water, education and protection for children. Use the appeal's Donate button; regional donation pages may offer a general fund.
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88.6% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNICEF 2024 audited financial statements (A/80/5/Add.3), Statement V actuals: programmatic USD 7,177.6m of USD 8,099.3m total (88.6%); institutional budget USD 682.3m and private fundraising USD 239.4m counted as non-programme. Unqualified opinion. The 2025 audited statements are not yet published (UNICEF presented the 2024 set to its Board in January 2026).). Fees on this route: No fee or cost split stated on the appeal page (its Donate button goes to help.unicef.org, which shows no fee text). UNICEF's 2025 Private Fundraising and Partnerships report says the net private-sector surplus was 87.3% of private-sector revenue (2024: 86.4%), so about 12.7% of private revenue goes to raising it (unaudited report to the Executive Board, 2025)..
UN Board of Auditors, 2024 financial statements, unqualified opinion
No fraud or misuse figure found.
Afghanistan
WFP Afghanistan response
food assistance and nutrition support. Donation route — Tier 1.
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Somalia
WFP Somalia response
food and cash assistance, nutrition and support during drought and other shocks. Donation route — Tier 1.
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South Sudan
WFP South Sudan response
food assistance for people affected by conflict, displacement and floods. Donation route — Tier 1.
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Haiti
WFP Haiti response
food and cash assistance amid violence and displacement. Donation route — Tier 1.
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Before you give
Start with established operational agencies: WFP, UNICEF, UNRWA and IFRC / Red Cross and Red Crescent. They publish audited accounts and take part in coordinated humanitarian responses, including OCHA-led coordination. OCHA's coordination overview — Tier 1 explains the response system. IFRC remains independent of the UN.
The accounts are public: WFP audits — Tier 1, UN agency audit reports — Tier 1, IFRC's 2025 audit — Tier 2.
Check the fund selected on the donation form, including whether it is a one-time or recurring gift. A general donation is not automatically reserved for the country or category listed here.
Large agencies can also lose aid to diversion. WFP disclosed widespread food diversion in Ethiopia in 2023 and introduced additional controls. Its current accounts still contain recommendations for improving controls. WFP's disclosure — Tier 1.
A cause
1. Poverty
GiveDirectly
almost all of your money goes to the help what this means
cash for people living in poverty, with spending decisions left to recipients.
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87% of spending goes to programs (2026, GiveDirectly's own statement: ">$87 of every $100 you give goes to someone in extreme poverty as cash" (page read 3 Oct 2026, figure undated; also "12% of our budget goes to overhead"). Cross-check: 2024 audit shows program services 87.2% of total expenses ($113,567,081 of $130,235,467); Charity Navigator 3-year average 91.79%.). Fees on this route: GiveDirectly's ways-to-give page: "Card and PayPal donations have a fee of ~2%. ACH / direct debit donations have a fee of ~0.8%, with a cap of $5." DAF, check and wire have no fees (givedirectly.org/ways-to-give/). FAQ: PayPal Giving Fund donations have no transaction fee. A fee-cover option is not stated on its own pages; a Lenny's Newsletter write-up says its checkout asks donors to cover fees and 85% did (secondary, older, not confirmed on the current checkout). Its financials page also says that for unrestricted gifts "historically ~80% has directly funded cash programs. The other ~20% covers fundraising expenses (staff, donation platform, etc.)"; the default website gift goes to the flagship program..
Charity Navigator four stars (profile updated 13 Sep 2026)
2025 risk report: known fraud losses 0.27% overall (2024: 0.19%), under its <0.5% target.
2. Hunger
WFP Palestine emergency
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88% of spending goes to programs (2025, WFP 2025 audited financial statements, Statement V (actual, commitment basis): direct support costs USD 463.9m + PSA 432.3m + corporate initiatives 55.4m = USD 951.6m of USD 7,920.4m (12.0%). Indirect costs alone (PSA + initiatives) are 6.2%, which would give 93.8%. The 88.0% figure counts all support-labelled costs. Unqualified opinion signed by the President of the German Supreme Audit Institution, 16 April 2026.). Fees on this route: WFP's own FAQ for individual donors: "For every US$1 given by an individual donor to WFP, 64 cents goes directly to programmes supporting people facing hunger, while 28 cents supports fundraising activities... A further 2 cents is used to process the donation, and 6 cents help run WFP and its programmes." (wfp.org/stories/thinking-about-donating-help-end-hunger-your-questions-answered, dated 30 Sep 2026, no year given for the split). The donation form itself (donate.wfp.org) loads without any fee text. Donor cannot cover fees as far as the loaded page shows. The emergency page itself states nothing about fees or percentages..
WFP disclosed widespread food diversion in Ethiopia on 9 June 2023 with no loss figure (halted general food aid, added controls).
WFP Sudan emergency
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88% of spending goes to programs (2025, WFP 2025 audited financial statements, Statement V (actual, commitment basis): direct support costs USD 463.9m + PSA 432.3m + corporate initiatives 55.4m = USD 951.6m of USD 7,920.4m (12.0%). Indirect costs alone (PSA + initiatives) are 6.2%, which would give 93.8%. The 88.0% figure counts all support-labelled costs. Unqualified opinion signed by the President of the German Supreme Audit Institution, 16 April 2026.). Fees on this route: WFP's own FAQ for individual donors: "For every US$1 given by an individual donor to WFP, 64 cents goes directly to programmes supporting people facing hunger, while 28 cents supports fundraising activities... A further 2 cents is used to process the donation, and 6 cents help run WFP and its programmes." (wfp.org/stories/thinking-about-donating-help-end-hunger-your-questions-answered, dated 30 Sep 2026, no year given for the split). The donation form itself (donate.wfp.org) loads without any fee text. Donor cannot cover fees as far as the loaded page shows..
WFP disclosed widespread food diversion in Ethiopia on 9 June 2023 with no loss figure (halted general food aid, added controls).
3. Health
GiveWell Top Charities Fund
almost all of your money goes to the help what this means
malaria prevention, vitamin A and vaccine incentives.
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96.4% of spending goes to programs (2024, Clear Fund (GiveWell) 2024 audited financial statements: program services $177,309k of total expenses $183,889k. Unmodified opinion. The 2025 audit was not yet posted as of the July 2026 note on GiveWell's records page.). Fees on this route: Quote: "If you donate to our Top Charities Fund, All Grants Fund, or individual Top Charities, 100% of your donation (after credit card fees, subject to our grant approval process) will be granted out to charities—GiveWell does not take any portion of these donations." (givewell.org/donate). Card fees are taken from the gift: 2.60% (3.60% AMEX) + $0.40 per card or Apple/Google Pay gift, so $100 becomes $97.00. ACH is 0.8% + $1.00, capped at $5.60, so $100 becomes $98.20 (givewell.org/giving-options). That is at or under 5% for card gifts of about $17 or more ($29 or more on AMEX). The donor cannot add the fee on top. Operating costs: "We generally use unrestricted funding for operating expenses" and "We do not take a percentage of donations made to recommended organizations through GiveWell's website" (givewell.org/about/FAQ). The Top Charities page also says "we take zero fees"..
No fraud, diversion or misuse by GiveWell or its four Top Charities found in a search on 3 Oct 2026.
4. Mental Health
Mental Health America
U.S. mental health screening, public education, prevention and advocacy.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audits and tax returns — Tier 2. Its 2025 annual report — Tier 2 discloses pharmaceutical partnerships; consider that funding relationship when assessing its advocacy.
81.2% of spending goes to programs (2025, MHA 2025 audited statements: program services $8,832,733 of total expenses $10,881,348. Charity Navigator 3-year average 82.54% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated Sep 2026)
2025 annual report discloses an Otsuka America Pharmaceutical partnership (funding relationship, not misuse).
5. Water and Sanitation
WaterAid America
safe water, toilets and hygiene through WaterAid's international programs.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, accounts — Tier 2. A 2023 audit found a reporting deficiency; the 2025 audit reported no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses. Details are in the vetting notes.
73.3% of spending goes to programs (2025, Charity Navigator program expense ratio 73.29%, 3-year average from IRS Form 990, fiscal years 2025, 2024, 2023). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated Sep 2026)
FY2023 audit: untimely single-audit submission due to Colombia records mismatches; FY2025 audit reports no significant deficiencies or material weaknesses (owner's notes; not re-read).
6. Shelter and Housing
Habitat for Humanity International
affordable housing, repairs and disaster recovery. This gives to the international organization; local affiliates have separate accounts.
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75.4% of spending goes to programs (2025, Habitat FY2025 consolidated audit (USD thousands): program services 284,497 of total expenses 377,478. Charity Navigator 3-year average 77.47% (FY2025, 2024, 2023).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
7. Education
Pratham USA
supports children's learning in India, including basic reading and maths. The donation goes through the U.S. fundraising organization.
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79.7% of spending goes to programs (2024, Pratham USA 2024 audit: program expenses $18,571,622 of total expenses $23,297,993. Charity Navigator 3-year average 78.48% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
8. Women
UNFPA donations
maternal care, voluntary family planning and care for survivors of sexual violence.
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86.4% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNFPA Statistical and Financial Review 2024 (provisional, subject to external audit): gross institutional budget USD 207.7m of total expenses USD 1,528.0m (13.6%). The audited 2024 statements (A/80/5/Add.8) could not be loaded.). Fees on this route: Donate page states: "For every dollar you donate, 92 cents go directly to programme and service delivery, and 8 cents go to the organization's administrative cost." No payment-fee rate stated..
UN Board of Auditors report index (audit exists; 2024 report not read)
No fraud or misuse figure found; not searched in depth.
9. Children
UNICEF Sudan appeal
nutrition, health care, safe water, education and child protection in an emergency.
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88.6% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNICEF 2024 audited financial statements (A/80/5/Add.3), Statement V actuals: programmatic USD 7,177.6m of USD 8,099.3m total (88.6%); institutional budget USD 682.3m and private fundraising USD 239.4m counted as non-programme. Unqualified opinion. The 2025 audited statements are not yet published (UNICEF presented the 2024 set to its Board in January 2026).). Fees on this route: No fee or cost split stated on the appeal page (its Donate button goes to help.unicef.org, which shows no fee text). UNICEF's 2025 Private Fundraising and Partnerships report says the net private-sector surplus was 87.3% of private-sector revenue (2024: 86.4%), so about 12.7% of private revenue goes to raising it (unaudited report to the Executive Board, 2025)..
UN Board of Auditors, 2024 financial statements, unqualified opinion
No fraud or misuse figure found.
UNICEF Nepal flood response
support for children and families affected by flooding. These are wider children's appeals, not payments to a named child.
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88.6% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNICEF 2024 audited financial statements (A/80/5/Add.3), Statement V actuals: programmatic USD 7,177.6m of USD 8,099.3m total (88.6%); institutional budget USD 682.3m and private fundraising USD 239.4m counted as non-programme. Unqualified opinion. The 2025 audited statements are not yet published (UNICEF presented the 2024 set to its Board in January 2026).). Fees on this route: No fee or cost split stated on the appeal page (its Donate button goes to help.unicef.org, which shows no fee text). UNICEF's 2025 Private Fundraising and Partnerships report says the net private-sector surplus was 87.3% of private-sector revenue (2024: 86.4%), so about 12.7% of private revenue goes to raising it (unaudited report to the Executive Board, 2025)..
UN Board of Auditors, 2024 financial statements, unqualified opinion
No fraud or misuse figure found.
10. Refugees and Displacement
UNHCR donations
protection, shelter and essential assistance for refugees, displaced people and stateless people.
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77.5% of spending goes to programs (2024, UNHCR 2024 expenditure by cost category (A/AC.96/76/6, Table II): programme USD 3,818.1m, programme support USD 898.5m (18%), management and administration USD 207.6m (4%), of USD 4,924.2m. Counting programme support as support gives 77.5%; counting only management and administration gives 95.8%. Audited 2024 statements (A/80/5/Add.6): unqualified opinion, total expenses USD 4,894.6m.). Fees on this route: Not established: donate.unhcr.org returned a bot-check page and the fee text could not be read..
UN Board of Auditors, 2024 financial statements, unqualified opinion
UN Board of Auditors report: 54 substantiated fraud cases in 2024 (5 by implementing partners), losses of USD 0.3 million (2023: USD 0.4 million), against USD 4,894.6m expenses, about 0.006%.
11. Disability Rights
Disability Rights Fund
grants to organizations led by people with disabilities, supporting accessibility, participation and rights.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audits, Form 990 and tax-exemption letter — Tier 2. Choose Disability Rights Fund, the 501(c)(3); Disability Rights Advocacy Fund is a separate legal entity.
78% of spending goes to programs (2024, DRF 2024 combined audit (DRF and Disability Rights Advocacy Fund): program services $8,821,086 of total operating expenses $11,304,638. Charity Navigator 3-year average 71.29% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
12. LGBTQ+
Outright International
supports LGBTIQ rights, local movement organizations and crisis response internationally.
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79.6% of spending goes to programs (2024, Charity Navigator program expense ratio 79.61%, 3-year average from IRS Form 990, fiscal years 2024, 2023, 2022). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
13. Human Rights and Justice
Human Rights Watch
investigates abuses and advocates for accountability worldwide. A general donation supports research and advocacy, not an individual legal case.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audited accounts — Tier 2. HRW returned a donation in 2020 — Tier 2 after acknowledging that accepting its restriction on LGBT work had been wrong.
69.9% of spending goes to programs (2024, Charity Navigator program expense ratio 69.90%, 3-year average from IRS Form 990, fiscal years 2024, 2023, 2021). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated 24 Sep 2026)
Returned a 2012 donation in 2020 after accepting a restriction on LGBT work (older than three years).
14. Peace and War Relief
International Committee of the Red Cross
medical care, water, protection and reconnecting families affected by armed conflict.
Checks
- Check: 2025 report and audited financial statements — Tier 2. ICRC and IFRC are distinct organizations; neither is a UN agency.
91.4% of spending goes to programs (2025, ICRC 2025 financial report: administrative costs (directorate, finance, HR, fundraising, IT) CHF 157,875k = 8.6% of operating expenditure CHF 1,825,639k. KPMG true-and-fair opinion.). Fees on this route: No fee text found on the donate page. ICRC adds a 6.5% headquarters overhead to each operation for internal reporting..
Not searched in depth; none found in the 2025 financial report.
15. Climate Action
Clean Air Task Force
research and policy work to reduce emissions from energy and industry. Its approach includes nuclear energy, geothermal, methane reductions and carbon capture.
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69.5% of spending goes to programs (2024, Charity Navigator program expense ratio 69.48%, 3-year average from IRS Form 990, fiscal years 2024, 2023, 2022). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
16. Environment, Forests and Land
Rainforest Trust
supports partners protecting threatened habitats and land.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audits, Form 990 and board minutes — Tier 2. Its “100%” conservation claim depends on other funding covering operating costs. The accounts, not that slogan, are the reason it is here.
92.3% of spending goes to programs (2025, Rainforest Trust audited statements, year ended 30 June 2025: conservation $40,987,256 of total expenses $44,421,969. Charity Navigator 3-year average 92.23% cites older years (FY2023, 2022, 2021).). Fees on this route: The donation form runs on Fundraise Up (donorsupport.co is its domain; rainforesttrust.org references it; Fundraise Up lists Rainforest Trust as a customer). Fundraise Up pricing page: "Every donation includes payment processing fees (like Stripe's) plus a small Fundraise Up fee." Donors can cover both ("most donors covering both"); the effective Fundraise Up cost is "typically about 1%, not including processing fees", on average and "not a guaranteed rate". No rate for Rainforest Trust is stated on any page I loaded, and its checkout does not render without JavaScript. Rainforest Trust says supporters cover operating costs so 100% of donations go to conservation (search result, legacy.rainforesttrust.org)..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated Sep 2026)
No misuse found in a search on 3 Oct 2026.
17. Oceans and Water Life
Oceana: cheque donation instructions
marine habitat protection, fisheries policy and reducing threats to ocean wildlife. The official cheque route loaded; the online processor could not be verified in this check.
Checks
- Checks: three-star rating — Tier 2, 2024 audited accounts and Form 990 — Tier 2. This is Oceana Inc., not the separate Oceana Action organization or the commercial fishing company with a similar name.
72.7% of spending goes to programs (2024, Oceana Inc. 2024 audit: program services $33,842,159 of total expenses $46,533,232. Oceana's own summary says about 73% program.). Fees on this route: Cheque route; no fee stated. Online processor not verified..
18. Animals and Wildlife
Wildlife Conservation Network
supports field conservationists protecting wildlife and working with surrounding communities.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, 2025 audited accounts and Form 990 — Tier 2. Its claims about passing on designated gifts do not mean the organization has no operating or fundraising costs.
92% of spending goes to programs (2025, WCN 2025 audit: program services $50,405,275 of total expenses $54,771,081. Charity Navigator 3-year average 92.68% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: The page runs on GoFundMe Pro (Classy) and says only: "Processing fees include transaction and donation platform charges." GoFundMe Pro's pricing page says "We offer custom pricing, combining an annual upfront subscription with a transaction fee per donation"; no rate is published. A third-party summary quotes 2.2% to 2.5% + $0.30, but I could not confirm that on an official page. No cover-the-fees option appears in the loaded donation page text. WCN says 100% of designated gifts goes to the field, which relies on other funds covering operating costs..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated Sep 2026)
No misuse found in a search on 3 Oct 2026.
19. Clean Energy
SolarAid
solar lighting and energy access in Malawi and Zambia. This is the donation item in its official shop; the page states that donations go directly to SolarAid.
Checks
- Checks: 2024–25 annual report and audited accounts — Tier 2, UK Charity Commission record — Tier 1. The accounts were filed 46 days late. The auditor gave an unmodified opinion; the late filing is still worth knowing.
83.8% of spending goes to programs (2025, UK Charity Commission financial history, year to 31 Mar 2025: charitable activities GBP 3.31m of total expenditure GBP 3.95m (raising funds GBP 0.64m). Regulator data, not read from the audited accounts.). Fees on this route: Not assessed; shop page says donations go directly to SolarAid..
Accounts filed 46 days late (Charity Commission); no misuse found.
20. Work and Livelihoods
Village Enterprise
business start-up grants, training, mentoring and savings groups for people living in extreme poverty in Africa.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audited accounts and Form 990 — Tier 2. GiveDirectly above is the alternative if you want recipients to choose their own priorities without a business program attached.
81.3% of spending goes to programs (2025, Village Enterprise FY2025 audit: total expenses $20,993,131 less supporting services $3,916,139. Charity Navigator 3-year average 82.45% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
21. Inequality and Marginalized Communities
Equal Justice Initiative
almost all of your money goes to the help what this means
U.S. work on racial and economic injustice, excessive punishment, legal assistance and poverty, with direct services in Alabama.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, CharityWatch's financial review — Tier 2, 2024 audited accounts — Tier 2. Its budget also funds museums and public education; a general gift is not all spent on legal representation or household aid.
97.3% of spending goes to programs (2024, EJI audited statements, year ended 30 Sep 2024: program services $73,577,672 of total expenses $75,623,174 (management 2.4%, fundraising 0.3%). Capital spending is outside this total. Charity Navigator 3-year average 96.89% (FY2024, 2023, 2022). Copy read via the Wayback Machine because eji.org blocks direct downloads. A FY2025 audit may exist but I could not load it.). Fees on this route: Platform is Give Lively. Its FAQ states the processor fee is charged on top and "The nonprofit receives your full $100 donation" when the donor covers it, with the example: Visa $100 gift, fee $2.50 (2.2% + $0.30). Give Lively itself charges no fee (givelively.org FAQs). Donor can cover the fee. If not covered, a card gift under about $11 would lose more than 5%. EJI's own checkout page could not be loaded (403), so its exact settings are unverified..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated Sep 2026)
No fraud or misuse found.
22. Cities and Communities
Habitat for Humanity International
housing and community development. Its neighborhood revitalization work — Tier 2 involves residents in setting local priorities. The rating and accounts are linked under Shelter and Housing; a general gift is not reserved for one neighborhood.
Checks
75.4% of spending goes to programs (2025, Habitat FY2025 consolidated audit (USD thousands): program services 284,497 of total expenses 377,478. Charity Navigator 3-year average 77.47% (FY2025, 2024, 2023).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
GlobalGiving Community Aid Fund
pooled support for vetted local organizations facing funding cuts. The fund chooses the grants. Fees and checks are below.
Checks
89.2% of spending goes to programs (2024, GlobalGiving Foundation 2024 consolidated audit: total expenses $120,472,406 less management and general $10,090,352 and fundraising $2,908,205 (grants count as program). Charity Navigator 3-year average 91.73% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: GlobalGiving retains a 12% support fee plus 3% payment processing fee on donations to its disaster/managed funds, so at least 85 cents of each dollar reaches grantees before their own costs (GlobalGiving support pages and fee page; the fee page itself returned 403 to me, figures are from GlobalGiving search excerpts and the owner's notes)..
23. Press Freedom and Free Speech
Committee to Protect Journalists
support for journalists facing threats, imprisonment and other risks, alongside press-freedom research and advocacy.
Checks
- Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audited accounts and Form 990 — Tier 2. Its September 2026 database review — Tier 2 corrected casualty classifications; financial ratings do not validate every research finding.
72.9% of spending goes to programs (2024, CPJ 2024 audit: program services $10,595,313 of total expenses $14,537,885. Charity Navigator 3-year average 71.10% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
Charity Navigator 4 stars (profile updated Sep 2026)
24 Sep 2026 database review corrected journalist-death classifications (research issue, not financial).
24. Digital Rights and Open Access
Electronic Frontier Foundation
privacy, free expression and digital civil liberties through legal work, advocacy and technology.
Checks
71.4% of spending goes to programs (2025, EFF FY2024-25 audit: education, advocacy and litigation program $19,348,241 of total expenses $27,108,132. Charity Navigator 3-year average 70.44% (FY2025, 2024, 2023).). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
Wikimedia Foundation
Wikipedia and related free-knowledge infrastructure, staff and grants.
Checks
Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audited accounts — Tier 2. Donations support the foundation's wider budget; they are not payments to individual Wikipedia editors.
76.7% of spending goes to programs (2024, Charity Navigator program expense ratio 76.71%, 3-year average from IRS Form 990, fiscal years 2024, 2023, 2022). Fees on this route: Not assessed: route already fails the program-share test..
Local grassroots, last
GlobalGiving Community Aid Fund
a researched route to local work through an intermediary. GlobalGiving checks partner registration, governance and financial information, and publishes fund updates — Tier 2.
Checks
-
Checks: four-star rating — Tier 2, audited accounts, IRS letter and Form 990 — Tier 2, partner-vetting process — Tier 2.
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Cost: GlobalGiving lists a 12% support fee plus 3% payment-processing fee for its managed funds. That leaves 85% for grants before a recipient organization's own costs, unless fees are covered separately. Other project donations have different rates. Fee schedule — Tier 2.
89.2% of spending goes to programs (2024, GlobalGiving Foundation 2024 consolidated audit: total expenses $120,472,406 less management and general $10,090,352 and fundraising $2,908,205 (grants count as program). Charity Navigator 3-year average 91.73% (FY2024, 2023, 2022).). Fees on this route: GlobalGiving retains a 12% support fee plus 3% payment processing fee on donations to its disaster/managed funds, so at least 85 cents of each dollar reaches grantees before their own costs (GlobalGiving support pages and fee page; the fee page itself returned 403 to me, figures are from GlobalGiving search excerpts and the owner's notes)..
Before you give
The categories below point to relevant work. Some share an appeal or general fund; the category heading does not earmark your donation.
This is a Tier 2 pooled fund, not a blanket approval of every local project. For a direct Tier 3 recommendation, all of these checks must be met:
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Verify its legal name and status through the IRS Tax-Exempt Organization Search — Tier 1, and read its Form 990s through Candid / GuideStar — Tier 2. These are U.S. checks; don't claim they verify a foreign group without the relevant records.
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Check a Charity Navigator rating — Tier 2 or CharityWatch rating — Tier 2.
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Read audited financial statements on the group's own website.
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Get written confirmation that no telemarketer takes a cut. Donate directly to the verified organization.
The linked routes go to the organization or its official payment processor. GlobalGiving's 2024 Form 990 reports no professional fundraising fees; that is a dated disclosure, not proof that every grantee uses no paid fundraiser. No unverified direct Tier 3 fundraiser is presented as cleared here.
India, by UPI
Magic Bus India Foundation
Programmes that keep adolescents in school and move young people from education into livelihoods.
Checks
12AB renewal certificate (Form 10AD, 29 Dec 2025)
80G renewal certificate (Form 10AD, 27 Mar 2026)
Audited financial statements FY2024-25, B S R & Associates LLP, dated 23 Sept 2025
The hosted FY2024-25 PDF has the balance sheet and income statement but not the auditor's opinion page, so the opinion type is unverified.
The statements show 'other long term liabilities' rising from Rs 10.74 lakh to Rs 8,498.69 lakh, probably deferred or restricted grants. Worth asking about.
No separate fundraising line; fundraising sits inside administration or activity costs.
Donation form asks for PAN and date of birth. Page footer says 50% 80G exemption for Indian citizens only.
82.73% of spending goes to programs (2024-25, Statement of Income and Expenditure FY2024-25 (Rs lakh): expenses on activities 18,504.73 of total expenditure 22,366.58. Administration 2,933.53 (13.12%), depreciation 928.32 (4.15%). Read from a scan.). Fees on this route: None stated on the page..
Smile Foundation
Education, healthcare, livelihood and women's programmes for children and families; you can pick a cause on the form.
Checks
Own governance page: 12A, 80G and FCRA numbers
Smile's own governance page still shows 12A and 80G valid only to AY 2026-27 (31 March 2026). The 2031 dates come from GuideStar India, a third party. Ask for the current 12AB and 80G certificates before relying on the receipt.
The full audit opinion ('true and fair view', unmodified on page 1, OCR-read) is in the 20-page report on GuideStar, not on Smile's own site. Its own site has the signed 2-page statements.
Programme share depends on the base. Administration is shown net of Rs 10.32 crore recovered from projects; Smile's own note says gross administration and fundraising cost was 15.41% of income, 9.02% after recoveries.
Form asks for PAN and date of birth.
93.67% of spending goes to programs (2024-25, Income and Application Account FY2024-25: programme expenses Rs 137.70 crore of Rs 146.99 crore total (administration net of recoveries Rs 9.30 crore, 6.33%; digital fundraising Rs 0.72 crore inside it). Gross overhead on Smile's own basis is higher (15.41% of income).). Fees on this route: Gateway showed 'Transaction Fee Rs 0.00' at the payment screen..
CRY - Child Rights and You
Pooled gifts for school, health and protection work with children in 23 states; CRY allocates by need.
Checks
Annual Report 2024-25 (summarised from accounts audited by Deloitte Haskins & Sells)
12A certificate (Form 10AC, 31 May 2021, to AY 2026-27)
80G certificate (Form 10AC, 31 May 2021, to AY 2026-27)
The certificates on CRY's own site are provisional orders to AY 2026-27 (income of FY2025-26). The later validity comes from GuideStar India only.
The annual report carries summarised accounts, not the auditor's signed report. Its audited FCRA statements on cry.org/financials stop at 2023-24.
The earlier check found a hidden 'unable to accept online payment' message in the page markup. It did not appear in the browser test.
The donate page shows a UK-style 'Charity No: F-0005208(GBR)'; the Indian legal form was not confirmed.
Only one generic adverse-news search was run for this recheck.
76.8% of spending goes to programs (2024-25, Summarised income and expenditure FY2024-25 (Rs lakh): programme (child development 483, earmarked projects 4,129, awareness 687, capacity building 664 = 5,963) of total 7,764. Fundraising 777 (10.0%), establishment 1,024 (13.2%). From a summary, not the signed audit.). Fees on this route: None stated on the page..
Goonj
Moves urban surplus material and money into relief, menstrual-hygiene, school and village-development work; Rahat is its disaster-relief fund.
Checks
Audited FCRA statements FY2024-25, unmodified opinion, S. Sahoo & Co.
The audit opinions on its site cover the foreign-contribution account only. The whole-entity statement in the annual report is a low-resolution scan with an auditor's UDIN but no opinion page or notes.
The orders on its site are provisional and run to AY 2026-27 (income of FY2025-26); the 2031 dates come from GuideStar India. Ask for the current 12AB and 80G orders.
Much of Goonj's work is donated material; the notes that would say whether in-kind value is in the income figures are not on the site.
The year shows a deficit of about Rs 12.6 crore.
The donation form asks for state and address; 80G is an option on the form.
93.78% of spending goes to programs (2024-25, Whole-entity income and expenditure FY2024-25, annual report p.69 (scan, figures good to about Rs 1): programme Rs 64.80 crore of total expenditure Rs 69.10 crore; establishment 5.42%, with depreciation 5.94%. No fundraising line. The foreign-contribution statement alone gives 93.23%.). Fees on this route: None stated..
Cash
GiveDirectly
almost all of your money goes to the help what this means
unconditional cash. The recipient decides what they need.
Checks
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GiveDirectly's costs — Tier 2 and annual accounts — Tier 2 — overhead and delivery costs are visible. Program spending is not the same as cash received by a household.
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GiveDirectly's Charity Navigator rating — Tier 2 — an independent check alongside the accounts.
GiveDirectly reports known fraud losses of 0.27% in 2025, with substantially higher losses in one remote DRC program. That is its reported measure, not a guarantee that every loss was detected. Its 2025 risk report — Tier 2 explains the failures and changes.
87% of spending goes to programs (2026, GiveDirectly's own statement: ">$87 of every $100 you give goes to someone in extreme poverty as cash" (page read 3 Oct 2026, figure undated; also "12% of our budget goes to overhead"). Cross-check: 2024 audit shows program services 87.2% of total expenses ($113,567,081 of $130,235,467); Charity Navigator 3-year average 91.79%.). Fees on this route: GiveDirectly's ways-to-give page: "Card and PayPal donations have a fee of ~2%. ACH / direct debit donations have a fee of ~0.8%, with a cap of $5." DAF, check and wire have no fees (givedirectly.org/ways-to-give/). FAQ: PayPal Giving Fund donations have no transaction fee. A fee-cover option is not stated on its own pages; a Lenny's Newsletter write-up says its checkout asks donors to cover fees and 85% did (secondary, older, not confirmed on the current checkout). Its financials page also says that for unrestricted gifts "historically ~80% has directly funded cash programs. The other ~20% covers fundraising expenses (staff, donation platform, etc.)"; the default website gift goes to the flagship program..
Charity Navigator four stars (profile updated 13 Sep 2026)
2025 risk report: known fraud losses 0.27% overall (2024: 0.19%), under its <0.5% target.
The tag
A route gets it only when all four hold: its latest audited accounts show at least 85% of spending on programs; the route's fee rate is at most 5% (a fixed charge per gift can make a small gift cost more, and the route's checks say so); someone independent has checked it (a Charity Navigator four-star rating, a GiveWell recommendation, a Credibility Alliance or GuideStar India certificate, or a government or UN audit); and no fraud or diversion has been reported in the last three years, unless the published loss is under 1% and fixed.
It means the numbers were checked and hold up. It is not a guarantee that nothing is ever lost.
How I vet
How I vet
Check give.org — Tier 2, GuideStar's nonprofit directory — Tier 2, CharityWatch — Tier 2 and Charity Navigator — Tier 2.
Follow the FTC's donation guidance — Tier 1: credit card or cheque only; no wire transfers, gift cards or crypto. Check the exact name and website for lookalikes. Ask what percentage reaches the programs, and get the answer in writing.
Distrust any “100% goes to the cause” claim. Ask who pays the staff, fundraising and payment fees, and check the accounts.
A good rating or a clean financial audit is useful evidence. Neither proves that every project works or that fraud never happens.
Link tiers: Tier 1 = UN, government or GiveWell. Tier 2 = vetted intermediaries, such as GiveIndia, or established charities checked against independent assessments and public accounts. Tier 3 = local groups; verify them yourself. These describe the route, not a guarantee against corruption. Vetting tools use Tier 2; a tier on a source link is not a donation recommendation.
Checked: 30 September 2026, India time. Donation entry pages, ratings and financial sources were checked. No payment was made. The accounts reviewed, fees and concerns are in the vetting notes.
If a link breaks, tell me. If you suggest a local group, send its registration, ratings and audited accounts too.