With more than 1.5 million nonprofit organizations in the United States alone, navigating the charitable sector can be complicated. Charities may do praiseworthy work, but donors want to know if they are good stewards of donations — and whether they offer services that conflict with one’s values. Here are five areas of focus for Catholic donors to discern which charities or causes to support.
Conscience: Pray regularly and develop a well-formed conscience to help navigate the landscape of modern nonprofits with prudence.
Alignment: Do some research to ensure the charity aligns with your personal values as well as with Catholic teaching.
Fiscal Responsibility: Public information can shed light on how nonprofits use donations. Do they directly support the charitable mission, or are they disproportionately funding administrative costs and overhead?
Leadership and Governance: Does the organization’s leadership openly criticize Christian values or promote activities contrary to Catholic teachings?
Subsidiary Support: Many charities allocate funds to other groups, usually through grants. Keep this in mind when ensuring your donation is not going toward causes contrary to your faith.
None of this is out of reach for the average donor, but it can be time-consuming. This is why Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund does due diligence through its donor-advised fund program, allowing clients to focus on their charitable goals. However you go about it, discernment is crucial for your giving to have a maximum impact.
For more tips and information, visit kofc.org/familyfinance.
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DENNIS J. GERBER JR. is president of Knights of Columbus Charitable Fund and a member of Father Patrick F. Pinder Council 3962 in Ramsey, N.J.








