Here's one list from Consumer Reports, sorted by the type of charity: https://www.consumerreports.org/charities/best-charities-for-your-donations/

Charity Navigator ranks charities according to how well they perform and lists some that are concerning. Charity navigator

bookwoman, other than a few obvious choices (like the Sierra Club) of this non-profit with obvious political leanings, this is a very East Coast-centric list. There are many deserving and well run organizations around the country and many ways to find them.

Sorry, I dislike the Consumers Union and stopped subscribing after decades of support. Their views and findings have become biased and not balanced in my view and their pretense to the contrary is disingenuous.

I didn't realize that, Elmer. I actually haven't used their recommendations in years, when I used to subscribe to CR, so thought they were still a good, unbiased source.

It would seem best, to me, to ask your friend what her mother might have wanted. While making a donation is a lovely gesture, it would probably be most appreciated if it were more personal, such as a cause she had been interested in. Just my opinion.

"Consumers Union"?

Suzie, Consumers Union was the original name of the organization that published Consumer Reports magazine. It was changed to Consumer Reports at some point...2012 according to Wikipedia.

The link for charity navigator doesn't rate them all. I tried to look up Goodwill and Salvation Army, neither one is rated because they don't file a certain tax form.

You can also try guidestar.org, which is more comprehensive than Charity Navigator, but not necessarily simpler.

Thanks bookwoman, that's a data point to show how long ago I stopped my subscription. I got to the point of being too annoyed with their pretense and not so hidden agenda. It's a shame, it was once a well respected and independent information source.

Doctors Without Borders is an international humanitarian organization which might appeal more since they are outside the U.S. Medecins sans Frontieres

thank you for your input and help.

Normally, there would be some obit or something to indicate what charity ( or illness) but in this case, they went back (to India) and I just thought to do something to honor their memory. I had emailed my friend to ask but haven't gotten a reply as I think they are really quite drained and busy. I just wanted to do something.

Heifer International is another wonderful one along with Doctors Without Borders.

I have used Charity Intelligence, but I think that its focus is on mostly, possibly entirely Canadian agencies.

Are you interested in the work of Amnesty International? I think that they use donations reasonably effectively, in seeking justice for many mistreated and jailed for supporting humanitarian causes in many countries.

I have supported Ottawa-based Farm Radio International, which broadcasts practical advice to sub-Saharan farmers through hundreds of radio stations.

You referred to your friend having an Indian connection. Winnipeg-based Canadian FoodGrains Bank, begun by the Mennonite Central Committee and later involving many churches, has offered food and other support in many countries, I think including India, a fellow Commonwealth country. They have an evaluation as being among the most honest and effective charities.

Doubt that they can offer tax-deductible receipts to U.S. contributors. Should you be interested, they can likely tell you whether they have links with U.S. agencies who coulď issue charitable receipts in the U.S.

Thank you for your desire to honour your friend's loved one at this heartbreaking time.

ole joyful

Agree, would ask your friend. Also like Doctors Without Borders.

Impressive ratings. https://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=search.summary&orgid=7135

I got this thread from searching charity on here. Before I did this, I googled charity ratings and got charitynavigator which is mentioned in this thread.

I realize this is several years old, so I thought I'd tap in here and see if anyone has any other (newer??) suggestions.

I did look at charity navigator and it had a very high rating for the charity I'm looking into.

thank you

Is GuideStar mentioned above? Another great resource. A good measure is cost per dollar raised. If a charity is raising $100,00 a year but soending $75,000 to raise funds, that is a red flag.

There can be more to know that black and white numbers don't tell.

-Maybe the $100K raised that cost $75K was the result of a campaign drive that failed.

-During the pandemic years, charitable donations were down and organizations had to work harder and spend more to get revenue

Et cetera.

I've looked at Guidestar before. As someone who at one time was involved with tax compliance/ managing preparation of 990s for a few non profits, looking them over now is a stark reminder that financial reports without specific explanations are of quite limited use.

For those who have stock investments (other than mutual funds) and receive annual reports, make a mental note next time you look at one to see that explanatory comments that are required in annual reports run 5x or more pages longer than the financials themselves. That's what's needed to understand the black and white numbers and even those explanations can be lacking in part. Often intentionally.

We stick to the local food pantry and World Central Kitchens founded by chef Jose , WCK is completely non-political and meets foods needs in any place whee there is a food shortage. WCK is not "top heavy" with administrators, and depends heavily on volunteers.

Our local food pantry--well, we can see the need, meet the volunteers, and know our donations are going to the local community where there is great need.

I have a word about fund-raising costs for non-profits. When I was in California, I was affiliated with a NP that provided services for seniors. In the aftermath of Prop 13, many NPs that would get finding from the local government or the state no longer have much support. Now that I'm in another state and again volunteering with the seniors' organization, I am amazed about how much money they have. I remind them often that they don't know how good they have it. In PA, lottery money goes to senior programs. In California, however, the groups are constantly holding find-raisers of all sorts.