BBB Wise Giving Alliance (BBB WGA) is a standards-based charity evaluator. We evaluate publicly soliciting charities against the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and publish our findings free to the public on Give.org.
We do not rank or grade charities against one another. Instead, we use clear, consistent standards to help donors make informed giving decisions while recognizing each charity in its own context.
During the review process, we work directly with charities with the goal of helping them strengthen their practices, and evaluations are conducted free of charge.
Our mission is to strengthen public confidence in charities by promoting wise giving and trustworthy charity practices.
At a Glance
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100+ years of charity reporting experience
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1,500+ nationally soliciting charities evaluated
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$63 billion+ in annual charity revenue monitored
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8,000+ locally soliciting charities covered by regional BBB reports
What We Do
We evaluate publicly soliciting charities against the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability and publish our findings through online reports, our semiannual magazine, the Wise Giving Guide, and through our AI-powered donor advisor, AskGive.
We also provide donor education and guidance to help the public make thoughtful, informed giving decisions.
In addition, we offer charity guidance and publish the Donor Trust Report series on trust, giving behavior, and the factors shaping charitable engagement.
How We’re Different
Some charity evaluators use scores, grades, or rankings. We use a standards-based approach to report on whether a charity meets clear accountability standards.
We believe this approach empowers donors to make wise giving decisions without relying on direct comparisons that may overlook differences in context across charities and each organization’s unique approach..
Our process is also distinctive in several important ways:
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We conduct in-depth analyses of both public and nonpublic information provided by charities
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We apply expert human review to assess the accuracy of materials and financial data objectively
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We communicate directly with charities and share draft findings before publication and aim to help them improve their practices
Our Evaluation Process
To prepare a charity report, we ask charities to complete a detailed online form and provide supporting materials, including their latest financial statements.
BBB WGA staff review those materials against the BBB Standards for Charity Accountability. Our standards address key areas of charity accountability, including governance, finances, effectiveness reporting, transparency, and fundraising practices.
We provide each evaluated charity with a draft report and correspond with them about ways to address any issues identified in relation to the Standards. This process promotes understanding of how the Standards are applied and encourages charities to strengthen their practices.
After this exchange, a final report is published on Give.org. Reports are updated every two years but can be amended at any time if a charity provides BBB WGA with information that supports a revised finding.
Evaluations are conducted at no charge to the charity.
Our Scope and Reach
BBB WGA reports on more than 1,500 nationally soliciting charities. Through this reporting we help monitor over $63 billion in annual charity revenue.
In addition, regional BBBs in the United States collectively produce reports on about 8,000 locally soliciting charities.
All reports are available on Give.org and are prepared in accordance with the BBB Charity Standards.
BBB Accredited Charities
A charity that meets all BBB Standards for Charity Accountability is called a BBB Accredited Charity.
Accredited charities may choose to license the BBB Accredited Charity Seal for a sliding-scale fee. Accredited charities who license the seal may display it in fundraising and communications materials to show that the charity meets the Standards.
Our Relationship with Better Business Bureau
BBB Wise Giving Alliance is an independent 501(c)(3) charitable organization licensed to use the BBB name and logo.
The Better Business Bureau (BBB.org) is well known for providing business reports and assisting consumers with complaints about businesses. Regional BBB affiliates are 501(c)(6) business organizations and operate throughout the United States and Canada.
BBB WGA reports on nationally soliciting charities, while roughly one-third of regional BBBs in the U.S. report on charities that solicit within their service areas.
A Century of Experience
For more than 100 years, BBB Wise Giving Alliance and its predecessor organizations have been reporting on charities and promoting wise giving. This longstanding experience informs our rigorous standards, research process, and commitment to strengthening public trust in charities.
Our Commitment to Donors
We seek to help donors give wisely. To support them, we provide access to clear and comparable information, promote high standards of charity accountability, offer guidance for giving, and more. Through this work, we aim to cultivate an engaged public that gives wisely and generously.