I have often worried about making donations.  I worry that the money i am giving will not get to the people that need it the most. That my money will get lost in overhead and administration costs.  Or worse that it will pay for a gala for the uber-rich to show off what great philanthropists they are.  

One resource I have found is called JustGive.org  This website will give you a breakdown of different charities according to different categories (i.e. Animals, Arts, Hunger, Health, etc.).  Within these categories you will find a brief synopsis of various charities.  When you click on the link for the charity it will give you a larger descriptor and often the financial breakdown of the organization.  (You can also donate directly from this website).

There are other, similar, websites, i.e. Charity Navigator, that will give you similar information, so if you may want to check out another website if you are not content with what JustGive has to offer.  

The biggest tip is to make sure the charity you are giving to has a 501(c)(3) status.  This is a tax exempt status and is not given to for profit organizations.  Also, keep in mind that 75 cents of every dollar given should go directly to the programs of the organization.  Any less than this is a good signal that the organization is inefficient at best.

The way that I found to make donations that make my heart happy to give have actually come from non-fiction books.  I found the organization Partners in Health by reading the book Mountains beyond Mountains.  So, as with everything else in life, look outside the box (or inside the book).

Happy donating.