Before you donate to charity, whether it’s through time, money or gifts, there are a few important factors to consider. Sometimes, these factors can make ch oosing the charity an overwhelming task, but it doesn’t need to be.

Donating to a charity is a great way to support a cause that may be close to your heart and to deliver assistance to those who need it. So, let’s take a look at 4 things you should consider when you’re in the process of deciding which charity you’d like to give to.

1. Identify causes you’re passionate about

Determining the cause you want to support is the first crucial step in your charitable journey. Whether it’s supporting humanitarian issues, health, education, environmental preservation, or disaster relief, your passion will drive your commitment. Think about the things that matter most to you – maybe it’s the health of a loved one, survival of an endangered species, world hunger, or helping people affected by disasters.

Examples of impactful causes

There are numerous causes to support, and each one addresses a different need in society. Here are some examples to help you decide:

• Health causes: ChildFund Australia works on improving healthcare access and services for children in disadvantaged communities. For example, they provide vaccinations, nutritional support, and health education to ensure healthier futures for children.
• Environmental causes: CARE Australia help women and other marginalised people living in poverty, so they don’t have to pay the price for human-caused global warming. They work on women-led projects that promote sustainable agriculture, protect biodiversity, and help communities adapt to climate impacts.
• Humanitarian Aid causes: Australia for UNHCR provides critical support to refugees and displaced persons around the world. Their programs include emergency shelter, protection services, and livelihood opportunities to help refugees rebuild their lives.

Identifying the cause you’re passionate about helps ensure your donation is meaningful and impactful. Reflect on what resonates with you personally, whether it’s alleviating poverty, protecting the environment, or supporting education.

2. Research and evaluate potential charities

Once you’ve identified your preferred cause, it’s time to research and evaluate potential charities. Look into their mission, transparency, impact, and efficiency.

Considerations when evaluating charities

• Transparency: Look for charities that provide detailed financial reports and operational transparency. For example, Oxfam Australia regularly publishes reports on their initiatives and fund usage. This transparency helps you understand where your money goes and how it’s being used.
• Impact: Evaluate the tangible outcomes of their work. Save the Children is renowned for its measurable impact on improving children’s lives through education, health, and emergency aid. They provide detailed reports on the number of children helped, schools built, and health services provided.
• Efficiency: Consider how efficiently the charity uses its funds. Caritas Australia allocates a significant portion of donations directly to program services, ensuring more of your money helps those in need. They have a strong track record of low administrative costs and high program delivery efficiency.

Responding to different areas of impact

The way that any given charity engages with its beneficiaries will change depending on the cause they are supporting. For example, the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA), which is one of our 15 member organisations, supports four major areas of impact – health, livelihoods, education and disasters.

When it comes to education, this organisation uses donations to cover the cost of consultants who work with disadvantaged communities to tackle issues that may contribute to children missing out on school. Donations also help to fund projects that make a difference in communities across Papua New Guinea, Cambodia, Fiji and more.

When it comes to disasters and emergencies ADRA work closely with their team and/or partners who are on the ground and ready to offer support instantly. In the context of the Ukraine crisis, those on the ground are able to provide urgent humanitarian aid quickly and efficiently to help ensure nobody goes without the basics, such as food, water, shelter, blankets and clothing.

Additional charity examples

• Plan International Australia: Focuses on children’s rights and equality for girls. They work in areas like education, healthcare, and economic empowerment, ensuring girls and boys have equal opportunities.
• Anglican Overseas Aid: Provides development and emergency relief programs in areas such as health, education, and sustainable development. They work closely with local communities to ensure their programs are culturally appropriate and sustainable.
• ActionAid: Works to end poverty and injustice by focusing on women’s rights. They implement women-led programs that address issues like gender-based violence, economic inequality, and climate change.

3. Decide how much you are ready to donate

Deciding how much to donate involves careful consideration of your financial situation and the needs of the charity. Some charities including ChildFund Australia, CBM Australia and Oxfam Australia, include descriptions of how your donation can help and where the money is going. These descriptions often appear next to or below a specified donation amount, however you’re also able to enter your own amount if none of the options equate to the amount you wish to donate.

These descriptions could be the deciding factor as to how much you may donate, particularly if you are comparing two charities that support the same cause before you make your donation. Being able to visualise how your donation helps make a difference in people’s lives is a great way to feel confident in the decision you’ve made.

Regular contributions and their impact

Consider setting up regular contributions instead of one-time donations. Regular contributions provide a steady and predictable stream of income for charities, enabling them to plan and execute their programs more effectively.

• Australia for UNHCR: Regular donations to UNHCR help support ongoing refugee assistance programs, ensuring continuous aid and support. For instance, monthly contributions can fund long-term projects like building schools or clinics in refugee camps.
• Baptist World Aid: Regular contributions fund sustainable development projects that improve living conditions in impoverished communities. These projects include clean water initiatives, agricultural training, and microfinance programs.

By committing to regular donations, you not only help charities manage their resources better but also contribute to creating lasting change.

4. Understand how charities use their funds

Understanding how a charity uses its funds is crucial. Transparent charities provide clear information about how donations are allocated.

Evaluating fund efficiency

When evaluating a charity’s efficiency, look for information on their administrative costs, fundraising expenses, and program expenses. Charities that allocate a higher percentage of their funds to programs and services are generally more efficient.

Emergency Action Alliance (EAA) is a collective of 15 Australian-based organisations that ensures donations are used efficiently by pooling resources for a targeted response to international emergencies. By donating to an EAA appeal, your contribution is distributed among member organisations based on their capacity to respond and the nature of the emergency. This collective approach maximises the impact of your donation, ensuring funds are used where they are needed most.

Why donate to the Emergency Action Alliance?

Donating to the Emergency Action Alliance not only ensures your contribution makes a significant impact, but it also supports an efficient fundraising model. Instead of each member organisation running separate campaigns, the EAA coordinates a single appeal, saving time, money, and resources. This approach allows member organisations to focus on delivering vital aid rather than fundraising. Your donation to an EAA appeal helps streamline the process, ensuring that resources reach those in need more quickly and effectively.

The impact of your donation

Every donation to the EAA contributes to a coordinated response to international emergencies. This collective effort amplifies the impact of individual donations, ensuring that resources are used efficiently and effectively. For example, during the Ukraine crisis, EAA member organisations were able to provide immediate aid to affected communities, thanks to the pooled resources and coordinated efforts. Your donation helps support this efficient model, providing critical assistance to those in need.

How you can get involved

Apart from donating, there are several other ways you can support humanitarian causes through the Emergency Action Alliance. Here are some suggestions:

Volunteer your time

Many charities rely on volunteers to carry out their work. Whether it’s helping with fundraising events or providing administrative support, your time can be a valuable contribution.

Spread the word

Raising awareness about the work of the EAA and its member organisations can help attract more support. Share their stories and appeals on social media, talk to your friends and family about the causes you care about, and encourage others to get involved.

Organise fundraising events

Consider organising fundraising events in your community to support the EAA. Whether it’s a charity run, bake sale, or online fundraising campaign, your efforts can help raise vital funds and increase awareness about the importance of supporting humanitarian causes.

Conclusion

Choosing the right charity to support requires consideration. By identifying a cause that resonates with you, researching the organisations working in that area, deciding how much to donate, and evaluating how efficiently the charity uses its funds, you can ensure that your contribution has the maximum impact.

The easiest way to support people affected by emergencies is to donate to the Emergency Action Alliance appeal. EAA has already made sure that its members provide emergency relief rapidly and effectively, so you don’t need to be an expert in humanitarian aid. EAA offers a transparent and efficient way to support international emergencies, making it an excellent choice for your charitable donations. Your support can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by disasters and crises around the world.

For any questions or more information, email info@emergencyaction.org.au.