While opportunities are around every corner, if you really want your money going to a good place, you should take a few minutes to listen to the people running the charities. But who has time for that?
Thanks to the Giving Library, the answer is "everyone."
"The Giving Library is a website that houses interviews from nonprofit organizations, we have hundreds of nonprofits and it's all on one place," Kerry Vaughan said.
Vaughan is the manager of the Giving Library. He says philanthropists usually meet face to face with those who are running nonprofits in order to get a sense of what the organization is all about and the commitment they have to helping those in need.
Vaughan says the Giving Library's videos allow any interested donor that same access.
"We've taken that and put it all on line," he said. "There are hundreds of videos all in one place, so you can browse and find an organization you are all interested in and, if you like, make a secure donation directly through the website."
If you want to give to big organizations, you can find them on the website. Or if you prefer smaller nonprofits, you can search by nonprofits that are run by only a handful of people.
"I think finding your passion is really what is important about it," Vaughan said. "You can sort of figure out exactly what kind of causes, what kind of organizations click with you. That way, you feel really good about the organization you are going to support."
Vaughan says if you share a video from the site through social media, the Giving Library will donate to that cause. They are planning on giving away $100,000 over the holidays.
Find Jeff on Facebook at ABC13JeffEhling or on Twitter at @jeffehlingabc13
Take ABC13 with you!
Download our free apps for iPhone, iPad and Android devices
