Nonprofit and charitable organizations can now use a smartphone application offered by Consumer Affairs to attract potential donors. The platform, called "Charity Lookup," helps individuals seek out and learn more about their favorite organizations so they can make more informed giving decisions. Currently, the app is available in New Jersey, where more than 26,000 nonprofits and charities are participating.

"Savvy consumers do their research before they make a purchase or an investment - and they should do the same before giving to a charity," said Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa. "With this app we've made it easier than ever to know where your money will go, before you donate."

According to Chiesa, the app will enable potential private donors to gain a transparent view into the way organizations are using the money they receive. Users can see if a nonprofit is donating just fraction of funds toward programs and using the rest for administrative costs or fundraising campaigns, or if the majority of contributions go directly to a certain cause.

Organizations that are interested in using technology to identify new donors could benefit from nonprofit financial management. The platforms will help them audit accounts and make sure their efforts are accurately reflected in reports.