Verify charity’s legitimacy online

Each Monday, The Eagle highlights a government record that is available to the public. Open records help people keep government in check and help them better understand how government affects their lives.

For a complete list of You Oughta Know columns, go towww.kansas.com/oughta.

The record: Kansas Charity Check, a searchable database of Kansas charitable organizations

Why you’d want it: To make sure a charity to which you are considering donating is legitimate. The database also includes information about how much the charity has raised and how much money goes directly to its cause and how much is spent on fundraising. Some charities do not have to register with the Kansas Secretary of State’s Office.

Where you get it: Go to www.kscharitycheck.org. Click on the “Charity Search” link on the left side of the page. From there, enter a charity you want to research.

How much it costs: The information is free.

Deb Gruver

This story was originally published November 9, 2014 at 8:54 AM with the headline "Verify charity’s legitimacy online."