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How to check out a charity before you donate money

Experts from Charity Navigator help you figure it out.

RANDLEMAN, N.C. — We're talking about charitable giving because WFMY News 2 is at the Boots and Blue Jeans event in Randleman. The event is a fundraiser for the Petty Family Foundation. Yes, that Petty. 

Richard Petty has the winningest name in NASCAR,  and his Petty Family Foundation helps the community win as well. The foundation was started in 2008 and provides money to all kinds of entities that serve kids to military veterans. You know the Petty name. But oftentimes, when you're asked to donate to a cause, you may not know the name or the backstory. That's where resources like Charity Navigator and the IRS come in. 

"You're checking restaurants before you go to them, or you're checking reviews before you buy a product online and when you're donating, that's an investment and a cause area you care about so take a few moments to do a little research," said Kevin Scally, Charity Navigator

Charity Navigator and the IRS are places you can use for research. You can check with the IRS to see if the charity is a valid 501c3 charity, meaning your donation is tax deductible. 

 When you look at the charity's website for information, Scaly says to look at what they say their mission is, how they deliver services and do they have an annual report you can look at. 

Scaly says, if you get a text to donate to a charity--- beware. 

"There are a lot of scams out there. If you get a text, make sure it's from a charity you know. And really, it's always best instead of giving gift cards, bitcoin, or whatever, to give directly to the site. Don't click on any links in a text or email," said Scaly. 

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