It’s hard as a member of the public to decide if a charity is worthy of your support.

When trying to evaluate a charity, Imagine Canada has produced a great littleGuide to Giving that offers some easy, no cost ways to check out a charity.

• Check out the charity on the Canada Revenue Agency website.
• Find out if the charity endorses the Association of Fundraising Professionals Code of Ethical Principles.
• Learn if the charity is accredited by an external body like the Imagine Canada Standards Program or Accreditation Canada.

As a volunteer with both the Association of Fundraising Professionals and Imagine Canada, I know first-hand how seriously they take the responsibility of building trust with the public.

It’s part of our job as in the charitable sector to be accountable to you so feel free to ask tough questions.