A charity is an institution formed for and engaged in humanitarian concerns.http://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/charity?show=0&t=1287008144 Charities are a different type of volunteer organization - one with a distinct legal form and tax status.http://www.charityfacts.org/charity_facts/index.html

For a charity to be legally recognized in the United States, it must be operated and organized exclusively for "exempt" purposes in section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code.http://www.irs.gov/charities/charitable/article/0,,id=96099,00.html Exempt purposes include education, literacy, fostering of national and international sports competition, charitable, religious, scientific, testing for public safety, and prevention of cruelty to children and animals. There is also a stipulation that prevents mismanagement of funds or any political lobbying.http://www.naag.org/enforcement_of_charitable_organizations.php

There are watchdog groups that inspect charities for proper use of resources. This can involve cross checking state and federal government filings against a charity's financial records to insure accuracy.http://www.charitywatch.org/faq.html#aip State charity regulators and the Better Business Bureau help to gauge if a charitable organization is authentic or not.http://www.fraud.org/tips/internet/charity.htm

1. Habitat for Humanity of the Lehigh Valley
2. Patient Advocate Foundation
3. Aaron Diamond AIDS Research Center
4. Scholarship America
5. Kentucky Humane Society
6. Ronald McDonald House Charities of Denver
7. Young Women's Leadership Network
8. Army Emergency Relief
9. Environmental and Energy Study Institute
10. Adopt-A-Familyhttp://www.charitynavigator.org/index.cfm?bay=topten.detail&listid=113