For some reason I was suspicious of how sponsorship would really work, how the money would be used and if children really benefited.

With so many nonprofits out there, it can seem difficult to gauge how effective and legitimate an operation is, and to get a good sense of the organization’s philosophy. Luckily, even if you’re far away from a nonprofit’s central office, there are many avenues to evaluate your potential fit with an organization’s culture as a volunteer:

• Peruse the organization’s website thoroughly, looking for information on the mission, programs and recent achievements. Many organizations will also post information on their financial and fundraising structure and, ideally, an annual financial report.
• Type the organization’s name into an Internet search engine and see what pops up. You might find recent news coverage about the organization or other helpful references.
• You can check rating websites, such as Charity Navigator for U.S.-based nonprofits, to get a sense of how the organization is perceived. A word of caution, however, as these websites usually perform cursory evaluations based on tax returns as opposed to a more in-depth analysis that measures outcomes against strategic plans.
• Call, Skype, e-mail or visit several members of the organizations’ staff, current or former volunteers, or even donors. Ask why they support the organization, how they describe the philosophy and work environment, and what strategic challenges lay ahead for the organization.
• If available in your area, attend a fundraising or informational event about the nonprofit.

In my case, after speaking with current volunteers and staff members at Common Hope, I found myself transformed from skeptic to champion of child sponsorships. When it’s done right, sponsors’ exchange of letters and photos with affiliated schoolchildren nourish a long-term personal link that sustains both student and donor in their efforts. About half of the sponsors feel such a strong connection with their affiliated child that they travel at some point to Guatemala to visit the child in their family’s home.