
With numerous options available for charitable giving, it’s essential to find tools that simplify the process and maximize your impact. Charity Navigator offers a suite of innovative platforms designed to make philanthropy more accessible and effective for every donor. This article provides a step-by-step guide on using these platforms—Causeway, the Giving Circle Finder, and Estate Planning Tools—so you can confidently support causes that matter to you. These resources cater to various giving styles, from collective action to planned giving, ensuring every contribution is meaningful and efficient.

1. Get Started with Causeway to Target Your Impact
Causeway is Charity Navigator’s platform for donors who wish to support specific causes rather than individual charities. This tool allows you to contribute to funds curated around issues like disaster relief, education, or environmental protection. Each fund distributes your donation among top-rated organizations working in that area, removing the guesswork and research for the donor. To begin, visit the Causeway Giving Platform, select a cause that resonates with you, and choose your contribution amount. Causeway ensures your donation is allocated across the most impactful organizations in that field, making giving both convenient and high-impact.
2. Find and Join a Giving Circle for Collective Philanthropy
Charity Navigator’s Giving Circle Finder helps donors connect with like-minded individuals who pool their resources for greater collective impact. Giving circles offer a community-driven approach to philanthropy, enabling participants to learn, discuss, and fund causes together. Using the Giving Circle Finder, you can search for circles by location or area of interest, view their missions, and discover how to participate. Joining a giving circle amplifies the effectiveness of your contributions and allows for deeper engagement with the causes you care about, as decisions are made collaboratively with other passionate donors.
3. Utilize Estate Planning Tools to Make Lasting Change
For those interested in leaving a legacy, Charity Navigator offers Estate Planning Tools to integrate charitable giving into your long-term financial plans. These resources guide donors on how to include nonprofit support in wills, trusts, or beneficiary designations. Start by accessing the Estate Planner with FreeWill to review guides on planned giving options, legal considerations, and tax benefits. By planning your giving in advance, you can ensure your philanthropic goals are met and your impact continues beyond your lifetime. These tools help demystify estate giving, offering clarity on how to make bequests or set up charitable trusts tailored to your interests.
4. Match Platforms to Your Giving Preferences
Each of these Charity Navigator platforms caters to different donor motivations and levels of engagement. Causeway is ideal for donors seeking immediate impact in specific areas, while the Giving Circle Finder is perfect for those looking for community and collaboration. Estate Planning Tools are best suited for individuals thinking about long-term, transformational philanthropy. Explore all three to discover which approach—or combination—best fits your personal goals and financial strategy. Charity Navigator’s user-friendly resources are designed to make every type of giving straightforward and rewarding.
Harness Innovative Giving Platforms for Meaningful Philanthropy
Ready to take action? Explore the links below to get started with Causeway, join a giving circle, or plan your legacy giving. Each platform is accessible online and includes comprehensive guidance to make your experience seamless.
- Charity Navigator Homepage
- Causeway Giving Platform
- Giving Circle Finder
- Estate Planner with FreeWill
Start using Charity Navigator’s innovative platforms today to make your charitable giving simpler, smarter, and more impactful.
Give a Gift That Makes a Difference with Charity Navigator’s Donations as Gifts
Charity Navigator’s Donations as Gifts program allows you to make a donation in honor of someone special, providing a meaningful alternative to traditional gifts. This initiative enables you to support highly rated charities that offer tangible items or services as symbolic gifts. For example, your donation could provide a farm animal to a family in need, fund medical care for children, or supply educational materials to underserved communities. These gifts not only honor your loved ones but also create lasting impacts for those in need. To explore participating charities and select a gift that aligns with your values, visit the Donations as Gifts page