Donations to various charities and to the less fortunate are part of the holiday spirit, whether it is through a food drive or a collection kettle.

>> On WSOCTV.com: Companies give back on #GivingTuesday

Giving Tuesday takes place on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving each year.

Officials said charities in the United States receive one-third of their annual donations during the holiday season, starting around Thanksgiving and Giving Tuesday.

>> Read more trending news

Each year, the Better Business Bureau Wise Giving Alliance evaluates charities seeking donations and researches them on their charity trustworthiness.

>> On WSOCTV.com: Research charity before donating #GivingTuesday

BBB officials said it encourages potential donors to use these evaluations to determine the organizations’ trustworthiness so that your hard-earned dollars go to charities that operate ethically.

Here are some tips from the Better Business Bureau to make the most of your holiday donations.

Giving Tuesday tips

  1. Watch out for name similarities.
  2. Avoid on-the-spot donation decisions from unfamiliar organizations.
  3. Be wary of emotional appeals.
  4. Avoid charities that don't disclose requested information.
  5. Rely on standards-based evaluations.

Read more here. 

About the Author

Keep Reading

Sure it's only mid-July, but Escape the Netherworld is hosting five themed escape rooms, including one called Haunted that challenges players to defeat the Night Hag. (Courtesy of Escape the Netherworld)

Credit: Courtesy of Escape the Netherworld

Featured

“Our members cannot be bought off,” General President Sean O’Brien said in a social media statement, calling UPS' offers “illegal and haphazard.” (Hyosub Shin/AJC 2023)

Credit: Hyosub Shin/AJC