Keep these tips in mind next time you want to donate to an international cause

As explorers of the world at large, many travelers have a greater level of awareness and understanding when it comes to the needs of those living abroad. Between natural disasters, man-made violence and crises of hunger, poverty and starvation, it can be difficult to assess how best to use one’s resources when hoping to support international members of our global community. The following steps can assist you in making a decision on how to direct your dollars towards real impact and uplift as an intentional disruptor of international imbalances.

Vet a charity

Before choosing what charity to give to, doing a bit of research into their structure and reputation can help ensure that you are making a choice that you can fully support. Look at their impact across time, their funding sources and their leadership and board members. The results of their efforts should be apparent, their funding sources should be value aligned and their leadership should include members from the affected community that is being assisted.

Find a connection to someone local you trust

Oftentimes in the wake of a natural disaster, it can be difficult to distinguish between legitimate outlets and those being opportunistic. The largest charities can receive floods of donations that they cannot distribute in a short-term way, making it sensible to look for smaller outlets that may be more agile. Finding a contact like a colleague, classmate or community member that is personally known to you, has a connection to the area or knows of a person or organization that is locally distributing supplies is a sure way to make sure your donation goes to good use.

Set a reminder to donate again

Many causes suffer from the impact of the 24-hour news cycle. In the immediate wake of an incident, a rush of donations come in, but the effort is not sustained over time. Consider saving half of your intended donation and setting a reminder for three months down the line, when you can continue helping affected parties long after the news cycle has moved on.