Donating to a cause doesn't automatically mean your money goes to buying food for the hungry or clothes for the needy. Some organisations will use a huge chunk of donations on administration fees and fundraising expenses. If you want your money to go into proactively helping a cause, a good tip is to ask a representative about how they deal with their finances. Any transparent, trustworthy organisation will be happy to explain its breakdown to you. If you aren't comfortable with how a group is planning on using your donation, you can always find a different cause to support (there are plenty!). 

Read more: How To Start A Charity: Advice And Tips From Lifetime Philanthropist Gianna Montinola

It's always better to cut out the middleman when donating to a cause. These include persons or even third-party websites that may end up getting a chunk of your donation (as fees), or even delaying your donation altogether. Check your chosen charity's website and see if there is a direct route to donate towards their cause. Chances are all the information you need is on their website! 

Sometimes, there's a lot of pressure towards donating to a cause. However, charity shouldn't be forced and should come from a place of willingness. If you aren't comfortable giving, then perhaps it's best to delay a donation to a time when you're able to give more freely. This is particularly true for people who want to give, but need to focus on other priorities for the moment.

Plenty of people forget that donating money isn't the only way one can donate. Aside from in-kind donations such as books, food, and clothes, people are also able to donate their time towards a cause they believe in! It doesn't have to just be cash, donating can mean anything under the sun that can bring benefit towards a cause. 

See also: A British Charity Is Training Dogs To Sniff Out COVID-19