Daily Q&A: How do I check out a nonprofit before I make a donation?

I want to make a donation to a charity over the holidays. Can you tell me how I can check out nonprofit organizations before I make my donation?

This is a popular time for consumers to make donations to charity, first because of the holiday giving season and second because of the end-of-the-year deduction scramble to help with taxes.

There are several sources you can use to research a charity. A popular one is Guidestar.org. You have to register but registration is free.

Consumerworld.org also recommends give.org and charitynavigator.org.