You see a cause that moves you. Your heart says yes, but your head whispers: Is this charity actually going to use my money well?
That pause? That’s wisdom, not skepticism.
With more than 1.8 million nonprofits operating in the U.S. alone, choosing where to give can feel overwhelming. But doing your homework can help you find the best fit for your values—and ensures your donation makes the difference you’re hoping for.
This post will walk you through 10 practical questions to ask before donating to any charity. These aren’t “gotcha” questions designed to catch organizations in wrongdoing. They’re conversation starters that reveal how an organization operates, what it prioritizes, and whether it’s the right partner for your philanthropic goals.
By the end, you’ll feel confident choosing where to give—and why.
Key Takeaways
- Asking questions before donating isn’t skeptical—it’s smart stewardship of resources you’ve worked hard to earn
- Look for transparency: financial reports, impact data, and clear communication should be easy to find, not hidden behind email requests
- Reasonable overhead (typically 65-85% on programs) supports the infrastructure that makes lasting impact possible
- The best charities measure their impact with specific metrics and data, not vague claims about “changing lives”
- Community partnership and local leadership indicate sustainable, empowering work that outlasts any single project
- Third-party ratings from organizations like Charity Navigator provide helpful validation, but dig deeper to understand the actual work
- Mission alignment matters—find a charity that matches both your values and your vision for change in the world
Why Asking Questions Matters
Let’s reframe something important: asking questions about a charity isn’t an act of distrust. It’s an act of empowerment.
Your donation is an investment in change. You wouldn’t put money into a business without understanding how it operates, who leads it, or what returns you can expect. The same principle applies to charitable giving. You’re not just handing over cash—you’re entrusting an organization with your resources, your values, and your hope for a better world.
The best charities welcome these questions. They understand that transparency builds trust, and trust builds lasting partnerships. They’re proud to explain how they work, where money goes, and what impact they’re creating.
This isn’t about finding perfection. No organization gets everything right 100% of the time. It’s about finding alignment between what you care about and how a charity operates. When you find that alignment, giving becomes more than a transaction. It becomes a partnership.
The 10 Questions Every Donor Should Ask
1. What percentage of donations goes directly to programs?
This is often the first question donors ask, and for good reason. You want to know your money is reaching the people who need it most.
But there’s some important nuances to understand here. Many donors expect 100% of their donation to go to programs—and that’s just not realistic or sustainable. Why? Because running effective programs requires infrastructure. You need qualified staff to design interventions, technology to track impact, security measures to protect workers in crisis zones, and monitoring systems to ensure aid actually reaches beneficiaries.
Think of it this way: You wouldn’t expect a business to operate without paying rent, salaries, or technology costs. Charities are no different. Infrastructure isn’t waste—it’s what makes good work possible and sustainable over time.
So what’s reasonable? Industry standards typically range from 65-85% on programs. ADRA, for example, directs 69.6% of its budget to programs, with 7.9% going to marketing and fundraising and 22.5% to management and general operations. That 22.5% funds essential systems like the whistleblower lines that protect accountability, insurance for staff working in dangerous conditions, and the monitoring systems that ensure aid is delivered properly.
A word of caution: Extremely low overhead can actually be a red flag. It might indicate a volunteer-only model that can’t scale to meet demand, or creative accounting that makes the numbers look better than they are. What matters more than the exact percentage is whether the organization is transparent about how every dollar is used—and whether the infrastructure they’re funding actually supports effective programs.
Where to find this information: Annual reports, Form 990 (a public tax document), or charity rating sites like Charity Navigator or GuideStar.
2. Is the charity transparent about its finances?
Financial transparency is non-negotiable. Period.
Here’s what transparency looks like in practice: A charity makes its annual reports, audited financial statements, and IRS Form 990 publicly available—usually right on their website. You shouldn’t have to email multiple times, fill out request forms, or wonder if they’re hiding something.
ADRA publishes all of these documents on our dedicated Finances page. Annual reports show where money came from and where it went. Form 990s (required by the IRS for all nonprofits) break down revenue, expenses, executive compensation, and program spending in detail. Audited financial statements provide third-party verification that the numbers are accurate.
If you have to jump through hoops to get basic financial information, that’s a red flag. Transparent organizations understand that donors deserve to see exactly how their money is being used.
Pro tip: You can look up any U.S. nonprofit’s Form 990 for free through the IRS website, Candid (formerly GuideStar), or ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer. It’s a public document, which means any organization that makes you work hard to find it is choosing to be less transparent than legally required.
3. Who leads the organization, and what’s their track record?
Leadership matters. A lot.
The people steering a charity determine its culture, its priorities, and how well it stewards your donation. So before you give, take a few minutes to learn who’s in charge and what they bring to the table.
For example, ADRA is currently led by President Paulo Lopes, who brings three decades of humanitarian experience to the role. His career has spanned multiple countries at both field level and in global leadership positions, most recently as Regional Director of ADRA South America. He’s been instrumental in expanding ADRA’s impact worldwide, particularly through the development of a strategic framework that now guides the organization’s 118 network offices.
That kind of experience matters. Lopes didn’t just study humanitarian work in theory—he’s lived it on the ground, in the communities ADRA serves. Under his leadership, the organization focuses on empowering communities, embracing innovation, and creating opportunities for all people to reach their God-given potential.
What to look for: Leadership with sector expertise, a track record of ethical decision-making, and a governance structure that includes independent board oversight. You can usually find this information on a charity’s “About Us” or “Leadership” page, on LinkedIn, or in the Form 990, which lists key officers and their compensation.
ADRA makes it easy—there’s a dedicated Leadership page where you can learn about the team guiding the organization’s work around the world.
4. How long has the organization been operating?
Longevity doesn’t automatically equal effectiveness, but it does indicate staying power and community trust.
Organizations operating for 10 or more years typically have established infrastructure, proven programs, and a track record you can actually evaluate. They’ve had time to learn from mistakes, refine approaches, and demonstrate whether their interventions create lasting change. You can look at their history and see:
- Did they follow through on commitments?
- How did they respond when things got hard?
- Do communities continue working with them, or did they burn bridges?
Here’s the nuance, though: Not all new charities are risky, and not all old charities are effective. Newer organizations can be innovative, nimble, and responsive to emerging needs that established players might miss. What matters more than age alone is whether the organization—new or old—has clear systems, measurable impact, and authentic relationships with the people they serve.
What to look for: Organizations with a track record you can evaluate. Ask about their history, their staying power during challenging times, and examples of long-term partnerships that demonstrate sustained trust.
ADRA’s humanitarian work stretches back to 1918, when the Seventh-day Adventist Church began sending aid to regions devastated by World War I. The organization evolved through several iterations before becoming the Adventist Development and Relief Agency in 1984. Today, ADRA operates in more than 120 countries, employs over 6,000 staff, and serves more than 20 million people annually—handling an average of two disasters per week while maintaining long-term development projects.
That sustained trust shows up in places like the Democratic Republic of Congo and Madagascar, where ADRA has built enduring partnerships through Resilient Food Security Activities. In Yemen, ADRA has worked year after year amid a 12-year conflict—when major donors cut funding, the organization found new partners to continue supporting communities rather than abandoning them. That kind of persistence builds the trust necessary for real, lasting change.
5. Does the organization measure and share its impact?
Vague promises aren’t enough. You deserve to know whether a charity’s programs actually work.
Impact measurement equals accountability. It’s how organizations prove they’re making a difference—and how they identify what’s working and what needs to change.
Here’s what good impact reporting looks like: Specific metrics backed by data. Not “we’re changing lives” (everyone says that), but “we provided 47,500 households with access to clean water” or “we enrolled 12,300 children in school.” Good organizations share both successes and challenges. They’re honest about what didn’t work and what they learned from it.
ADRA publishes detailed Impact Reports that break down exactly what was accomplished, where, and for whom. These reports don’t just tell heartwarming stories (though those matter too)—they provide data on health outcomes, educational access, livelihood improvements, and emergency response effectiveness.
The organization also maintains a MEAL unit—Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning. This team conducts needs assessments with target communities before programs even begin, holds community meetings to adapt approaches based on local input, and performs post-distribution monitoring to ensure aid is delivered safely and appropriately.
That’s accountability in action. If a charity can’t or won’t tell you what they accomplished with specific numbers, that’s a red flag.
6. Who does the organization actually serve, and how?
This question gets at something crucial: How does a charity approach the people it serves?
The most effective humanitarian work happens through genuine partnership and collaboration. Organizations serve communities best when they listen first, design programs together, and treat people as active participants rather than passive recipients. Local voices need to shape interventions from the beginning—because the people living in a community understand their context, challenges, and strengths better than any outsider ever could.
ADRA embeds this approach into every project. Through the MEAL unit, the organization conducts needs assessments with communities during the proposal stage to inform program design. At the start of projects, teams hold community meetings and consult with local leaders to discuss activities and objectives—and to adapt plans based on what they hear.
But the conversation doesn’t end there. ADRA builds Community Feedback and Response Mechanisms (CFRMs) into every project through channels like hotlines, email, suggestion boxes, focus group discussions, and community meetings. This ensures that beneficiaries can provide input throughout implementation, report complaints, and help solve problems as they arise.
The team works with communities to determine which feedback channels work best for everyone—especially vulnerable groups like youth, women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. For instance, in Mongolia, ADRA used a “human-centered design” approach that involved consulting diverse stakeholders through workshops and meetings in an iterative process throughout the project, including prototyping, pilot testing, and refining approaches based on what they learned.
And here’s something critical: ADRA operates through local offices in more than 100 countries, with directors, staff, and volunteers who live in and understand the contexts where they work. These aren’t outsiders parachuting in with pre-packaged solutions. They’re neighbors working alongside neighbors.
What to look for: Evidence of local partnerships, community involvement in decision-making, local staff leadership, and feedback mechanisms that give beneficiaries a real voice.
7. What is the organization’s approach to long-term sustainability?
Relief and development serve different purposes—and the best organizations do both well.
Relief responds to immediate crises. When a disaster strikes, people need food, shelter, and medical care maintenant. Development addresses the root causes of poverty and vulnerability over time, helping communities build systems and skills that last.
Here’s why that matters: Handing out supplies is necessary in a crisis, but real change happens when communities gain the tools and resources to improve their own futures. You want a charity that can do both—save lives in emergencies and invest in long-term solutions that prevent future crises.
ADRA has a comprehensive approach to this transition. When disaster strikes, the organization activates its National Emergency Management Plan (NEMP), with teams trained in emergency response who focus first on saving lives. But even during the emergency phase, ADRA is already coordinating with stakeholders and conducting assessments to determine what rehabilitation will be needed to restore basic systems.
The organization mobilizes resources through its global network to implement immediate response, with flexibility built in to accommodate rehabilitation activities. ADRA has also adopted Anticipatory Action, which allows teams to act ahead of forecasted hazards—protecting lives and livelihoods before disaster fully unfolds.
What makes this possible? ADRA normally responds to emergencies in places where it’s already operational with long-term commitments. The organization builds both internal capacity and community resilience during the development phase, which supports the rehabilitation and recovery phases as they partner with communities to transition back to long-term development.
In practical terms, ADRA builds “crisis modifiers” into development projects, so when disaster strikes in an area where they’re working, response is immediate—minimizing losses and stabilizing communities before resuming development work.
(You can learn more about ADRA’s emergency response work ici.)
What to look for: Organizations with clear exit strategies, capacity-building programs, local ownership models, and evidence that communities can sustain progress after the charity’s direct involvement ends.
8. Is the charity accredited or certified by reputable watchdog organizations?
Third-party validation isn’t everything, but it’s a helpful data point.
Major charity watchdogs like Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and Candid (formerly GuideStar) evaluate nonprofits on financial health, accountability, and transparency. International standards like the Core Humanitarian Standard (CHS) set benchmarks for quality and accountability in humanitarian work.
ADRA holds a 4-star rating from Charity Navigator—the highest possible rating, indicating strong financial health and commitment to accountability and transparency. The organization also earned a Gold Seal of Transparency from Candid in 2024, demonstrating its commitment to publicly sharing information about operations, finances, and impact.
Important caveat: Not all excellent charities have ratings. Some are too small to be evaluated, or they’re international organizations that don’t fit neatly into U.S.-based rating systems. Use ratings as a starting point, then dig deeper into the actual work, community relationships, and impact.
9. How does the organization communicate with donors?
Good donor communication reflects how an organization views its supporters—as partners, not ATMs.
You want to feel like a partner in the work, not just a transaction. The best charities understand this and treat donor relationships accordingly.
When you make your first gift to ADRA, you receive a welcome pack with information about the organization’s work, a receipt for tax purposes, and a thank-you message. From there, you’ll receive regular updates on programs and activities so you can see your donation in action.
Major donors receive personal calls from ADRA’s Major Gifts director. Monthly donors (called “Angels”) get thank-you calls to express appreciation for their sustained support. The organization offers various communication options so donors can choose what level of engagement works for them.
But here’s what matters most: ADRA balances compelling storytelling with dignity. The organization shares impact stories that put faces and names to the work, but always with respect for the people being served. You won’t find exploitative imagery or manipulative emotional appeals. Instead, you’ll find honest, hopeful stories about communities gaining access to clean water, children going to school, families building sustainable livelihoods, and survivors receiving emergency aid when they need it most.
Red flags to watch for: Aggressive fundraising tactics, misleading emotional manipulation, lack of follow-up after your gift, or organizations that bombard you with requests without ever sharing what your previous donations accomplished.
10. Does the organization’s mission align with your values?
This is the heart question—the one that goes beyond data and ratings to what matters most to you.
You’re not just looking for a good charity. You’re looking for your charity—one where you can invest not just your money, but your trust and your hope for the world.
ADRA’s mission is straightforward: “To Serve Humanity So All May Live as God Intended.” The organization’s motto—Justice, Compassion, Love—is inspired by Micah 6:8 and reflects Adventist Christian principles that drive the work.
But here’s something crucial: ADRA serves all people regardless of race, color, gender, or creed. Faith informs why the organization does this work (a belief that every person has inherent dignity and worth), but it doesn’t limit who receives help. The doors are open to everyone.
The organization’s values—Connected, Courageous, Compassionate—shape how teams approach challenges. Connected means working collaboratively for the best outcomes for those living in poverty or distress. Courageous means persevering through difficult situations, whether that’s a natural disaster, a protracted conflict, or the slow work of long-term development. Compassionate means empathizing with the communities being served and with each other.
ADRA focuses on four main areas: improving health, increasing livelihoods, providing access to education, et responding to disasters. If those priorities resonate with you—if you believe in addressing both immediate crises and root causes of poverty, if you value community partnership and local leadership, if you want your giving to reflect both justice and compassion—then ADRA might be the right fit.
At the end of the day, mission alignment is personal. Take time to read about an organization’s values, approach, and vision for change. Ask yourself: Does this reflect what I care about? Do I trust these people to steward my resources well? Am I excited about the impact this partnership could create?
When you find that alignment, giving becomes something more than a financial transaction. It becomes a shared commitment to a better world.
How to Get Answers to These Questions
So you’ve got 10 questions. Now what? How do you actually find the answers?
Start with the charity’s website. Most organizations have sections labeled “About Us,” “Financials,” “Impact,” or “Transparency” where you can find annual reports, financial statements, leadership bios, and program descriptions. If the information is hard to find or doesn’t exist, that tells you something about the organization’s commitment to transparency.
Check third-party rating sites. Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and Candid provide independent evaluations of nonprofits based on financial health, accountability, and transparency. These ratings aren’t perfect, but they’re a helpful starting point.
Read the Form 990. Every U.S. nonprofit is required to file this tax document annually, and it’s publicly available. You can search for any organization’s 990 through the IRS website, ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, or Candid. The 990 shows revenue sources, expense breakdowns, executive compensation, board members, and program descriptions.
Don’t be afraid to reach out directly. If you can’t find an answer online, email or call the organization. Ask your questions. See how they respond. Do they answer promptly and thoroughly? Are they transparent and welcoming? Or are they defensive and evasive?
Trust your gut. These questions aren’t an interrogation—they’re an invitation for the charity to share their story. The good ones will be excited to answer.
Red Flags to Watch For
As you evaluate charities, watch for these warning signs:
- Reluctance to share financial information. If basic data about budgets and spending isn’t readily available, ask why.
- High-pressure fundraising tactics. Scare tactics, artificial urgency (“Donate NOW or children will suffer!”), or aggressive follow-up calls are red flags.
- Vague or exaggerated claims about impact. “We’re changing lives” without specific numbers or measurable outcomes is a warning sign.
- Unusually high executive salaries. While nonprofit leaders deserve fair compensation for their expertise, salaries significantly above sector norms should raise questions.
- Lack of independent board governance. Boards should include people who aren’t related to executives and who can provide objective oversight.
- No evidence of community partnerships or local presence. If an organization claims to serve communities but has no local staff or partnerships, question how effective that work can really be.
- Overly emotional or exploitative storytelling. There’s a difference between compelling, dignified storytelling and manipulation. If fundraising materials make you feel guilty, use shock tactics, or strip people of their dignity to pull at your heartstrings, that’s exploitation—not partnership.
None of these are automatic disqualifiers, but they deserve follow-up questions. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, dig deeper or consider giving elsewhere.
Why ADRA Welcomes These Questions
We know choosing where to donate is a big decision. It should be. You’ve worked hard for your resources, and you want to make sure they’re used well.
That’s why ADRA is committed to transparency at every level. The organization publishes detailed financial reports, impact data, and program information because donors deserve to see exactly where their money goes and what it accomplishes. Third-party ratings from Charity Navigator and Candid provide independent verification that ADRA meets high standards for financial health and accountability.
But beyond the numbers, ADRA welcomes questions because the organization believes in partnership. Donors aren’t just funding sources—they’re partners in the work of serving humanity. The best partnerships are built on trust, and trust is built on transparency, honest communication, and shared values.
If you’d like to see how ADRA answers these questions in more detail, explore the À propos de l'ADRA page, review the latest Rapport d'impact, or reach out to the team directly. Our doors are open.
Questions fréquemment posées
What percentage should a charity spend on overhead?
There’s no magic number, but 65-85% on programs is typical for well-run charities. Don’t assume lower overhead is always better—investing in qualified staff, technology, and monitoring systems actually helps charities deliver more effective, sustainable impact. Focus on transparency and demonstrated effectiveness, not just the lowest percentage.
Should I only donate to charities with perfect ratings?
No. Ratings from Charity Navigator, BBB Wise Giving Alliance, and Candid are helpful tools, but they’re not the whole story. Some excellent smaller charities don’t have ratings yet because they’re too new or too small to be evaluated. Use ratings as a starting point, then dig deeper into the organization’s actual work, community relationships, impact measurement, and transparency. Trust your judgment.
Is it okay to ask a charity tough questions before donating?
Absolutely. Reputable charities welcome donor questions because they know transparency builds trust and leads to stronger partnerships. If an organization is defensive or evasive when you ask about finances, impact, or operations, that’s actually important information about how they operate. The best charities are proud to answer your questions.
How can I tell if a charity is creating dependency or empowerment?
Look for evidence of local partnerships, community-led decision-making, and exit strategies. Charities focused on empowerment involve beneficiaries in program design, build local capacity through training and systems development, and have clear plans for how communities will sustain progress after external support ends. If an organization creates lasting change, communities should be stronger and more self-sufficient—not dependent on continued aid.
What’s the difference between a relief organization and a development organization?
Relief organizations respond to immediate crises like natural disasters and conflicts with emergency supplies and services—food, shelter, medical care, clean water. Development organizations focus on long-term change by addressing root causes of poverty and vulnerability through education, livelihood training, health systems, and infrastructure. Many effective organizations, like ADRA, do both—responding rapidly to emergencies while also investing in sustainable development that helps communities thrive long-term.
