How to verify a charity in 5 minutes (before you donate)

What Monmouth families should know

If your feed is anything like mine, you60 seconds away from a help the kids fundraiser, a local family emergency GoFundMe link, and a click here to donate Venmo handle at all times. The problem: once money leaves through some payment methods, you may not be able to get it back.

The good news is you can do a quick, no-jargon charity reality check before you donate. Below is a 5-minute routine that works for the everyday someone shared a link in a moms group situation.

The 5-minute charity check (do this before you hit Send)

1) Confirm it6s registered to solicit in New Jersey

New Jersey runs a public charities system through the Division of Consumer Affairs. They explicitly tell residents to verify a charity by searching the state6s Directory of Registered Charities or calling the Charitable Registration Hotline at (973) 504-6215. (If someone gets weird when you ask are you registered in NJ?, take that as information.)

• Match the name exactly. Scammers love almost the same name.
• Check status/compliance. If the listing looks off, pause and donate later.
• Ask for written details. A legit charity can send a receipt and basic info without drama.

2) Confirm it6s really tax-exempt (and not revoked)

The IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search lets you check whether an organization is eligible to receive tax-deductible charitable contributions and review IRS status/filings (including the automatic revocation list). Use the IRS tool here: Tax Exempt Organization Search.

• Search the charity6s legal name (or EIN if you have it).
• Look for whether it6s eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
• Scan for red flags like revocation language (if you6re unsure, it6s okay to wait and ask questions).

3) Don6t donate to a person6s handle unless you can verify it

A lot of real families use Venmo/Zelle/Cash App during emergencies  and a lot of scammers copy those posts. Treat donate to this handle as unverified until you confirm it6s the real person or the charity6s official account. A solid rule: when the story is emotional, slow down.

• Verify on a second channel. Call the person you know (not the number in the post) or message a trusted friend who knows the family.
• Watch for look-alike usernames. One character change is all it takes.
• Prefer a card payment on an official site. It gives you more fraud protections than most peer-to-peer transfers.

4) Ask the where does the money go questions (and listen to the vibe)

If it6s a new-to-you charity, ask:

• What exactly will my donation fund this month?
• Do you have a website with a mailing address and real contact info?
• Will you email a receipt?
• Are you using a professional fundraiser?

You don6t need to interrogate anyone. You6re looking for basic transparency and a normal, respectful response.

Fast red flags (Monmouth moms edition)

• High pressure: Donate in the next hour, share right now, don6t tell anyone.
• Payment-only via P2P: We only take Venmo/Zelle (no website, no mailed address, no card option).
• Vague purpose: lots of emotion, very few specifics about where the money goes.
• Name confusion: sounds like a well-known charity but isn6t the same.
• Something feels off: you don6t need more justification than that.

How Love of Humanity helps

Love of Humanity is here for the practical side of community care: making sure Monmouth families can spot scams, find legitimate help fast, and make smart decisions when money is tight and emotions are high. We publish free, family-friendly guides like this one and partner with local businesses to keep the information flowing where parents actually are: neighborhood groups, school circles, and everyday conversations.

One simple habit that saves money (and regret)

When you6re about to donate because your heart is pulled: pause, do the NJ registration check, then decide. You6ll still be generous  you6ll just be generous on purpose.