Discovering effective nonprofits isn’t a matter of chance; it’s a journey of cultivation. As a donor, you can support and strengthen the nonprofits most aligned with your goals. Identifying the impact you want to make can help narrow the field of potential grantees to those that fit your values. This also opens opportunities to foster groups aligned with your interests, helping them accomplish the work you care about. So, what kinds of nonprofits do you most want to invest in?

These questions can help clarify your philanthropic interests & goals:

  • What are your values?

Being clear about your values can inform the kinds of organizations and approaches to change you’re most passionate about.

  • What do you want to achieve with your giving, volunteering, skills, and experience?

What is your desired impact? What difference do you want to see in your community or society?

  • At what level do you wish to make change?

When considering where to target your dollars and time, do you wish to impact individuals, organizations, networks, policies, or ideas?

5 Characteristics of Effective Nonprofits:

While discovering effective nonprofits isn’t a matter of chance, there are some characteristics effective nonprofits have in common.

  1. Clear Mission & Purpose
  2. Ability to Perform Key Functions
  3. Strong Practices, Procedures & Policies
  4. Good People
  5. Ability to Mobilize Others

Read the full article about effective nonprofits at Exponent Philanthropy.