When natural disasters strike or citizens in the community are in need, there is often a call to donate to the cause. One way to protect your money and make sure it is going to the cause chosen, and is getting the most bang for its buck, is to do a little research before committing. When looking for an organization that aligns with your passions, The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has a list of websites that are valuable in helping research the legitimacy of an organization, and which charities pay their executives the most, leaving those in need with less. To learn more, ftc.gov/charity is a helpful resource. Sometimes, someone reaches out directly about donating (this includes scrolling on social media), watch for scammers that create urgency and want your money now or use fear tactics that place blame on for not acting immediately; slowing down to do research prevents proceeding too quickly. If someone is calling or messaging it is likely from an organization that can be looked up on one of the resources that the FTC has provided on their website: ftc.gov/charity. There are many good people and good charitable organizations to donate to. If it is a worthy cause to invest your money, it will be worth your investment of time to investigate.