The holidays are upon us, which means it's the time of the year when most people give to their family members and friends as well as their favorite charities. While the spirit of the season sets in, it's important for individuals to practice due diligence when choosing how to spend their hard-earned dollars.

For one, donors should also verify that the organization to which they are contributing is legitimate. The rising popularity of online donations has made it easier for some fraudulent firms to appear as though they are trusted, national philanthropic organizations. To avoid making contributions to these imposters, donors can verify the name, logo and web address of the organization, according to Tech Hive. If there are any discrepancies, individuals might want to contact the organization directly.

U.S. News and World Report also suggests that when donors are ready to give, they should make sure their contributions will have the maximum impact possible. For instance, individuals might not specify a cause when they make cash donations, so trust organizations can put those funds toward the areas in which they are doing the most important work.

Nonprofit organizations that hope to benefit from large grant fundraising opportunities, such as giving around the holidays, can improve their chances of being selected when they use nonprofit financial management programs. These solutions can generate data-driven reports for stakeholders that demonstrate various projects' progress and success.