Smart Giving
Matching Gifts, Donor-Advised Funds and Other Ways to Multiply Your Giving
Employer matches, donor-advised funds, appreciated stock and steady monthly gifts can make the same budget go further. Here is how each one works.
Independent guides
Give wisely. Volunteer well. Build nonprofits that last.
Practical guides for givers, volunteers and nonprofit builders — clear, practical explanations of how charities, aid programs and small nonprofits really work.
Start here
- How to Verify a Charity Before You DonateTen minutes of checks before you give
- Understanding Nonprofit Overhead: Why “Low Overhead” Isn’t EverythingWhy the overhead ratio misleads
- Starting a 501(c)(3) Nonprofit: A Step-by-Step OverviewFrom idea to tax-exempt status
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Four areas, one goal: help that actually helps.
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Volunteering & Community
Volunteering Abroad vs. at Home: An Ethical Guide
Volunteering can do real good or quietly cause harm. Compare volunteering abroad and at home, and use our checklist to vet any placement before you commit.
Volunteering & Community
Winter Relief and Emergency Drives: How Community Donation Drives Are Organized
Coat drives and emergency collections work best when they start with a receiving partner and a clear list of needs. Here is how to plan one that genuinely helps.
Humanitarian Aid
Supporting Orphan and Child Education Programs Responsibly
Helping vulnerable children is one of the most generous instincts in giving. Here is how to make sure your support strengthens families and schools instead of causing harm.
Humanitarian Aid
Clean Water Projects: Wells, Pumps and Why Maintenance Matters
Building a well is the easy part. Keeping water flowing for years depends on testing, community ownership, spare parts and a realistic maintenance plan.
Humanitarian Aid
Wheelchair and Mobility Aid Donation Programs: How They Work and What Makes Them Effective
A wheelchair is only helpful if it fits the person and the terrain and can be repaired. Here is how effective mobility aid programs work and what to ask before supporting one.
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About Nonprofit Compass
Nonprofit Compass is an independent publication for donors, volunteers and people building small nonprofits. Our Editorial Team writes evergreen, plain-language guides on checking charities, understanding aid programs, organizing community drives and meeting nonprofit compliance basics.
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