A charity is an organization that provides aid or assistance to those in need, typically through donations of money, time, goods, or services. Charities exist to help those in need, relieve suffering, and promote social welfare. Some charities are what are considered 501(c) charities. A 501(c) charity is a tax-exempt, nonprofit organization in the United States that is recognized by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) as being organized and operated for charitable, educational, religious, scientific, and literary testing for public safety, fostering of national or international amateur sports competition, or prevention of cruelty to children or animals purposes.
Why verify a charity?
Verifying a charity before giving money is important because it helps to ensure that the money is going to a legitimate organization that is using donations effectively and responsibly. Donors should research charities to ensure they are reputable and have a proven track record of providing support and services to their target population. Additionally, it is essential to verify that the charity is registered with the appropriate government agency and is in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations. It is also essential to look at the organization’s financials to ensure that its finances are managed responsibly and that its overhead costs are reasonable. Finally, donors should check to see if the charity is transparent about its operations and how donations are used. Verifying a charity before giving money helps to ensure that donations are being used effectively and responsibly.
What we look at when validating a charity.
- Is the charity supporting a real cause?
Does the cause that the charity is supporting exist? There are a lot of charities out there that support causes that people will give their money to that do not exist. They are fabricated to take advantage of the charity of others. - Is the charity registered with the State?
To do this, you can look at the state website for the entity’s name. Utah has made this easy by making the records available online. You can access their database by following this link: https://secure.utah.gov/bes/index.html - Is the charity registered with the IRS?
The IRS has a website you can go to verify the filing status of the charity. You can use the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search form on their website. - Background check on Principal Agents.
One of the easiest ways to check the background of an individual is to use the Utah Courts Xchange: Public Case Search tool. There is a fee associated with using this tool, but the fee is low, and you can gather information from district and justice courts. A district court is the general trial court in the United States, typically the court of the first instance for civil and criminal cases. It is a court of law, equity, and admiralty and has original jurisdiction over civil and criminal matters. A justice court is a limited jurisdiction court that handles misdemeanor and petty criminal cases, small civil claims, and civil and criminal traffic violations. A justice court does not have the same authority as a district court. - Supporting Documents
We also will include the supporting documents we find for each charity. The results of the searches we did and the documents we purchased during the process.
Charities we have checked
Here is a list of the charities that we have done a check on. Some have passed with flying colors, while others can be considered questionable.
- Eagle Mountain Arts Alliance
- Eagle Mountain Nature and Wildlife Alliance, The
- Friends in Need
- Gifts of Joy From Jordan Foundation
- Pony Express Events
Mike Kieffer is an IT geek by hobby and trade, with a BS in Information Systems & Technology. He is a proud father of 10, a grandpa, an author, a journalist, and internet publisher. His motto is to “Elevate, Inspire and Inform”, and he is politically conservative and a Christian. Mike has a passion for technology, writing, and helping others. With a wealth of experience, he is committed to sharing his knowledge with others to help them reach their full potential. He is known for his jackassery or his form of self-expression that encourages boldness, creativity, and risk-taking. It can be a way to push the boundaries and challenge traditional norms, leading to creative solutions and positive change.