While flipping through the newspaper, watching television or reading your company newsletter, you can become overwhelmed with the number of charities that are asking for your contribution. But, deep down inside, we all feel an urge to support life-saving technology, programs that help those who are less fortunate, education, animal protection, the arts – the list goes on - so we sign up and give our cash away, year after year.

Americans are known for their giving nature – according to The Barna Group, in 2004, 83 percent of Americans give to one or more charities. The average donation an American makes is $1,232 – about three percent of his/her salary. So, we are stepping up to the plate, but are we really making a difference?

Yes and no. We are a primary source of non-profit funding, so our donations are helping millions of people. But once we write that check or attend that event, do we follow up with the non-profit organization to see exactly how our funds were used? Or, are we just giving our money away because everyone else at the company is doing it, or a friend asked for our support?

This kind of behavior – giving without thinking – can really hurt those non-profits that are on the verge of collapsing, while allowing the nationally recognized, more aggressive charities to bring in billions of revenue each year. So, the next time you decide to offer your support, follow a few tips that can make a difference for thousands.