Giving to charity: 6 ways to check whether an NGO is trustworthy

Charity work and the tailored action of NGOs play a crucial role in our society, supporting those who need it most. In our quest to make the world a better place, it's only natural to want to contribute to and support these organisations. Even so, before you get involved or make a donation, it's vital to make sure a charity or NGO is reliable and effective. So how can you tell whether an NGO is reliable and trustworthy?

Here are 6 key criteria for assessing how reliable an organisation is. Follow this advice and you can give with complete peace of mind, knowing your contribution is in good hands.

Check its legal status

The legal status of a charity or NGO is of the utmost importance when judging its reliability. Before you offer your support, it's essential to check that the organisation is properly declared and registered with the relevant authorities. This step is crucial to make sure the charity is legitimate.

You can usually find this information in the legal notice section of the organisation's official website, or by searching the national register of associations (RNA) published in France's Journal Officiel. Make sure the charity is legally compliant, as this guarantees it operates in line with current laws and regulations. Among the many organisations listed, you'll find LIFE, registered as an association under the law of 1 July 1901 and recognised as being of public utility.

By checking its legal status, you lay the foundations for supporting a legitimate, responsible charity or NGO with complete confidence.

Check that its annual accounts are available

Making its annual accounts available is a key part of a charity or NGO's transparency. These financial documents are far more than a sheet of figures: they give a clear, detailed picture of where money comes from, how it flows and how it is used. Every euro is carefully tracked.

When you're thinking of supporting an organisation, take the time to look for its most recent annual accounts on its website. This transparency shows the organisation's commitment to accountability and strengthens the trust of donors and partners.

At LIFE, full transparency is a core value that guides everything we do. Would you like to know how we raise the resources we need to carry out our work? We invite you to read our annual accounts directly on our website or on the national register of associations (RNA).

Giving to charity: check you can reach them by phone

Whether a charity or NGO can be reached by phone is an important sign of how serious it is. It also reflects its commitment and its willingness to engage with you. Look up the organisation's phone details on its website or in relevant directories.

Ready to ask questions, share your ideas and work together? You are the key to the success of inspiring projects.

Giving to charity: the publication of audited annual reports

Audited annual reports are the key to assessing organisations with confidence. They contain detailed information on the organisation's activities, the projects it has carried out and the results it has achieved over the year. This transparency shows the organisation's commitment to communicating its work and results.

By looking at audited annual reports, you'll get a full picture of the organisation's activities and impact. These reports let you judge how effectively it meets its objectives.

Choosing charities that publish audited annual reports means choosing to support responsible, trustworthy organisations.

Check whether it belongs to well-known networks

Membership of networks reflects a charity's commitment and its unwavering determination to work alongside others driving change. By making sure the organisation is affiliated with recognised networks, you can be confident of its legitimacy and reach.

In 2023, LIFE joined the prestigious ranks of two renowned networks: Coordination Humanitaire et Développement (CHD) and Coordination SUD.

Check its reputation and impact

Researching the charity or NGO's reputation in depth can also tell you a lot about its real impact.

Read testimonials from beneficiaries, donors, volunteers or partners to get a sense of how the organisation is seen and how far its work reaches.

Assessments and rankings by independent bodies can also help you judge how effectively the organisation delivers its projects.

Since 2009, LIFE has already provided vital aid to more than 13.2 million people in 25 countries. To change lives, we can count on the invaluable support of more than 180,000 Lifechangers.

Supporting a charity or NGO is a positive step, but it's essential to take precautions to make sure it is reliable. Do your research and ask questions, so you give to legitimate causes and make a positive impact.

Your support can make a difference to the lives of those who need it most. Together, we can build a better world.

Join us and become a Lifechanger!