Many Ways to Volunteer: Animal Socials CarolAnne Nargi, a volunteer cat socializer, holds Minnie at the Animal Welfare League.(Frank Johnston/Post) Best Corporate Handouts More companies are setting up ways -- and even putting aside days -- for employees to volunteer. Checking Out Charities Giving money to a charity should be viewed the same as any other financial transaction.

Tainted by Scandal
After a disastrous financial scandal at United Way, crucial corporate
supporters still have yet to return.

One Group Thrives
Tech centers for kids thrive on used computers, service donations.

Struggling to Survive
Grass-roots organizations cinch belts
and broaden solicitations.

Live Online
• Transcript: The Catalogue for Philanthropy's Barbara L. Harman
• Transcript: The Washington Post's Jacqueline Salmon

Top Foundations The Washington Regional Association of Grantmakers's list of top 10 area grant-making foundations, ordered by the amount of their giving in 2002. 1. Whitaker Foundation, $68,698,503 2. Eugene B. Casey Foundation, $52,470,000 3. Fannie Mae Foundation, $38,287,112 4. Public Welfare Foundation, $19,369,950 5. Sherman Fairchild Foundation, $18,955,435 6. Morris and Gwendolyn Cafritz Foundation, $16,706,820 7. Freddie Mac Foundation, $15,930,264 8. Case Foundation, $15,882,910 9. J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, $11,374,675 10. Gannett Foundation, $11,200,000 What You Need to Know To report suspicious charity solicitations or to check if a charity is registered, call your state's charity regulator. In Virginia, Office of Consumer Affairs: 804-786-2042 or 800-552-9963 (within Virginia). In Maryland, Charitable Organizations Division of the Office of the Secretary of State: 410-974-5534 or 800-825-4510 (within Maryland). In the District, Office of the Corporation Counsel: 202-442-9828. Consumers can also file complaints against charity solicitors with the Federal Trade Commission at 877-382-4357. For information: www.ftc.gov/charityfraud. The Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance (www.give.org) and GuideStar (www.guidestar.org) provide databases on national nonprofit organizations. The Better Business Bureau • File a complaint about a charity • Tips on Giving • Tips on Tax Deductions • List of Charity Reports Index				Sites to Check Before Donating Charity.com: Has charity news and information for donating online. Charitychoices.com: Profiles more than 300 national and local charities that meet standards for inclusion in the Combined Federal Campaign. Online donating offered. Charitygift.com: Allows donations in honor of friends, families or causes. Also offers a gift registry for contributions. Networkforgood.org: Has information on thousands of charities nationally. In addition, lets people set up a "charity wish list" and figure out how donations will affect their taxes. OPM.gov/cfc: Gives information on charities included in the Combined Federal Campaign. Pointsoflight.org: Offers information on volunteering and access to thousands of volunteer centers across the country that match people with charities. TouchDC.org: Has information about 25,700 charities in the Washington area. Volunteers can sign up as well. Unitedwaynca.org: Offers information on local nonprofits and online giving. Before Writing that Check Charitynavigator.org: Evaluates the finances of more than 1,700 large charities by examining their tax filings. Give.org: Has in-depth reports on hundreds of charitable organizations that solicit nationally. Also has tips on how to donate wisely. Guidestar.org: Has financial records for more than 850,000 nonprofits.