After doing my research on the newest addition (WFP) to the blogroll of suggested organizations, I realized that I should help people do research on something that they find on their own.  Of course, Wikipedia is not your source for reliable information, but it could be a start.  Thanks to the Internet, virtually every organization has a web site.  Any reputable organization will post nearly every shred of information they have in order to attract donors.  Look at information aimed at corporate recruitment.  Look at the organizational structure and financial disclosures.  LOOK AT EVERYTHING, no matter how uninteresting it may appear.  Google Scholar is a good place to look up information about programs published in professional journals.  Go to the library, especially a college library, and read up on the background issues in the most recent publications available.  I have put a link to the Christian Science Monitor in the blogroll as an additional source of current event information.  If the group is local, check by word of mouth, through the Better Business Bureau, or physically go there.

Guidestar and Charity Navigator are two sites that disclose and rate finances, have mission statements, and provide contact information for most organizations.  I will add them to the blogroll for easy reference.  If you want to contribute to a huge international organization such as a United Nations sponsored group, it most likely will not be listed.  Both services are free to use. 

You know enough about your organization when you can be an effective advertisement for that organization and can answer the questions or direct someone to information that you needed to research in order to become involved.  YOU WILL NOT STAY WITH SOMETHING YOU DON’T BELIEVE IN.  Invest in your investment!