CharityWatch

Two, verify every charity before donating.

Use trusted sites like CharityWatch, IRS.gov, or the organization's official webpage.

Three, government agencies do not call asking for donations.

Any such call is fraudulent.

Donors and watchdog agencies may not legally require audits, but in practice, many foundations and major donors will not fund organizations without them.

Rating agencies like Charity Navigator and Charity Watch rely heavily on the financial disclosures.

Banks look at audited financial statements to enforce loan covenants and to assess credit risk.

Accredited bodies, especially in the education and face-based organizations, often require audited or reviewed financial statements as part of an ongoing accreditation process.