Today on Your Call: What makes a good charity?

Published August 21, 2013 at 12:00 AM PDT

On today's Your Call, we’ll talk about how to find out if a charity is trustworthy and effective. The Center for Investigative Reporting has a new report called “America's Worst Charities.” It says: “Hundreds of charities claim to help those in need. But of the millions of dollars raised each year, how much goes to cancer patients, disabled veterans, and dying children? Almost nothing.” So what questions should we be asking about the organizations we donate to? How can your dollars do the most good? Join the conversation on the next Your Call, with Holly Kernan and you.

Guests:

Kris Hundley, investigative reporter for the Tampa Bay Times; co-reporter (with Kendall Taggart of the Center for Investigative Reporting) of the 3 part series: "America's Worst Charities"

Kendall Taggart, reporter at The Center for Investigative Reporting in Berkeley; co-reporter (with Kris Hundley of the Tampa Bay Times) of the 3 part series: "America's Worst Charities"

Resources:

Center for Investigative Reporting (CIR): America’s Worst Charities

CIR: Don’t get fooled by bad charities

CIR:Disciplinary Actions--STATES TRY TO CRACK DOWN

CIR: How to dig deeper into a nonprofit’s finances

Charity Watch

GuideStar USA

RESOURCES FOR CHECKING NONPROFITS

A list of solicitors used by the worst 50

A list of the worst 50, with addresses

State charity officials, with contacts for all 50 states

Florida's gift givers' guide for consumers