How effective is that charity? What percent of my donation goes to the program?

Instead of gifts, you may want to donate money in honor of a dear friend or relative.  There are so many organizations out there it is important to make a wise choice. Looking for effective use of the funds they receive, their administrative expenses, and their capacity for continuing their work are all part of the overall picture of charitable organizations.

If you have an organization in mind, you can view their mission, financial statements, and overall effectiveness in use of the funds they receive at Charity Navigator . In their anaylsis, they also include other similar charities.