Practical notes for Denver House of Joy readers — how to vet a charity before you give. Write original copy for Denver House of Joy, an independent Denver guide to live music, theatre, family days out and ways to give back (not a charity, church or ministry, collects no donations or dues, sells no tickets, not affiliated with any women's group or child-sponsorship organisation). Do not present the site as the organisation that used this domain before (a Colorado women's charity chapter ()); do not invent dates, prices, names, credentials or awards.
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Practical notes for Denver House of Joy readers — how to vet a charity before you give. Write original copy for Denver House of Joy, an independent Denver guide to live music, theatre, family days out and ways to give back (not a charity, church or ministry, collects no donations or dues, sells no tickets, not affiliated with any women's group or child-sponsorship organisation). Do not present the site as the organisation that used this domain before (a Colorado women's charity chapter ()); do not invent dates, prices, names, credentials or awards. Reach us via the contact page.
A Practical Checklist for Checking a Charity in Colorado
Most charities are run by people doing honest, careful work, but a few minutes of homework before you give helps your money land where you intend it to. The checks below are free, quick and work just as well for a neighbourhood food pantry as for a national nonprofit with a Denver office.
1. Confirm it is a registered nonprofit
Start with the IRS Tax Exempt Organization Search, which shows whether a group holds 501(c)(3) status. That status is what makes donations tax-deductible for most donors. In Colorado, organisations that solicit donations are generally expected to register with the Secretary of State's charitable solicitation program. The state's public database lets you look up a charity's registration and, in many cases, the professional fundraisers it hires. If a group asking for money cannot be found in either place, ask why before you give.
2. Read the numbers, not just the story
Larger nonprofits file a Form 990 each year, and these filings are publicly available. Look at:
- how much goes to programs compared with fundraising and administration
- who sits on the board
- whether the organisation's stated mission matches what it actually spends on
A low overhead figure is not automatically good. Training, staff and good record-keeping cost money. Use the numbers as a prompt for questions rather than a final verdict.
3. Watch for pressure and vague answers
Be cautious with anyone who insists you give right now, asks for gift cards, cryptocurrency or wire transfers, or uses a name that closely imitates a well-known charity. This is especially worth remembering after disasters, when fake appeals tend to spread quickly. A legitimate organisation will happily tell you its full legal name and explain how your gift will be used. It will also accept a later donation made directly through its own website.
4. Give directly and keep records
Donate through the charity's own site or by check made out to the organisation, never to an individual. Keep receipts for tax time. Talk to a tax professional if you are unsure what you can deduct.
5. Consider giving time as well as money
Volunteering is one of the best ways to see an organisation from the inside. It can help you decide whether to support it financially. Our Get Involved page has ideas for finding volunteer roles around Denver. You can also browse more practical notes in our Guides section.