How to be sure you're donating money to a good charity

MILWAUKEE (WITI) -- Sometimes they show up at your door, sometimes they call you int he middle of dinner, and sometimes you end up giving them money -- but how do you know if you're giving to a good charity? Contact 6 highlights two websites that can help you make sure you're donating to a charity that is legit.

The Boston Store's Goodwill Sale is one of the beauties of fall. You bring in used clothes and you get coupons for 25% off.

"I really believe in helping local causes.  It makes me feel good and I hope it extends to other people.  And it's a great deal, too!" Patty Chatham said.

Boston Store has had this partnership with Goodwill of Southeastern Wisconsin for 19 years, and they do it because it's a trusted charity.

"What Goodwill does is they take all these donations and put them in their stores and sell them in the community - you can get great deals there as well - and then the revenues are used to do career training, job services to help people get jobs, to put people back to work.  So they're doing a real value and service to our community," Christine Hojnacki with Bon-Ton Stores said.

However, not every charity is the same.

How can you tell if you're donating to a charity that's worth your donation? Contact 6 advises checking out the Better Business Bureau's website.

On the website, is what is called the "20 Wise Giving Alliance Standards for Charity Accountability."

You can also check out ChartNavigator.com. There, you can see how much of your donation goes to administrative costs and how much goes to the actual cause.

For instance, Goodwill ranks high, showing a four-star rating and a total performance score of 63 out of a possible 70 points.

The Boston Store Goodwill Sale runs through Saturday, October 5th. For every donation you make, you get up to a $25% off coupon.