How many of you readers have thought about making a donation to a charity in someone else’s name as a gift this holiday season?  What better way to say “things that are important to YOU, are important to ME” than by supporting a cause that’s close to your gift recipient’s heart?  It’s also a great gift for that person on your list that seems to already “have everything” or someone just flat-out… well… a bit “selective” (aka: a friendly way to say picky!).   Throughout this season you might read a few suggestions from fellow readers as to good causes or charities that enable you to make donations on behalf or in the name of someone else.   A great tool, if you’re curious about this type of gift giving is Charity Navigator (www.charitynavigator.org).  This is a great resource for researching more information about select charities (over 5,000 charities are evaluated on this site!), rating the chairities, giving you suggestions for types of charities you might be interested in, and tips for selecting a good charity.

One charity I find myself donating to each year is the Oregon Humane Society.  It’s reviewed on Charity Navigator.  You can find out great information here -  the charity’s expenses, contact information, summaries, similar charities, etc. 

If you’re thinking of giving a meaningful or different kind of gift this year, consider supporting a charity In Honor Of someone you care about.   Charity Navigator might help you find the perfect charity or help you examine one you are already considered!

Let me know if you know any other tools for finding and evaluating charities this holiday season.  Send me an email at Jenny@inhonorof.com or leave a comment here.  I’d love to hear more!