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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... Rocker's old house vaults Williams into the spotlight ... From the council: City's responsible budgeting yields benefits ... Two wheels to freedom: Phoenix camp helps kids with disabilities learn to ride ... Rocker's old house vaults Williams into the spotlight ... OUR VIEW Our View: Be careful when you donate Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 21, 2014 at 12:01 AM Posted Dec. 21, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Social News Everybody knows Santa has a nice list and a naughty list. But did you know Oregon's attorney general has a list, too? Attorney General Ellen Rosenblum released her list Friday, just in time for key decisions on end-of-the year charitable giving. It's the "20 Worst Charities List," and along with her tips on evaluating charities, it could save you money and aggravation. The No. 1 tip is to give only to charities registered in Oregon. That's because Oregon legislators enacted a new law last year requiring that every charity registered here must spend at least 30 percent of its donations on its charitable mission. Charities that don't meet that standard are not eligible for some tax benefits.  A charity may still try to solicit your money if it isn't registered here, but it's easy to check. Visit tinyurl.com/amgwj8z to use the Justice Department's searchable database of charities, or call 971-673-1880. Even better, give to a local organization that you know: ACCESS, CASA, Living Opportunities are among the names that come to mind. You know that money is being spent not only wisely, but locally. The attorney general's list of worst charities is based mostly on the percentage of donations going to an actual charitable cause rather than salaries, fundraising costs and administration. At the top of this year's list is the  Firefighters Support Foundation of Massachusetts, which spends just 6.5 percent of its $3.9 million in annual expenditures actually helping firefighters and their families. Nor surprisingly, several charities on the 20 worst list purport to help firefighters, police officers and veterans. Children's causes and cancer also figure prominently.  But just because a charity appeals to your desire to help a popular cause doesn't mean your money will get to where it needs to go. To see the full 20 worst list, visit http://bit.ly/1sQi7du. Other tips on the attorney general's list include: Don't respond to pressure. If a charity wants you to donate on the spot, hang up the phone, and research charities that mail you soicitations before giving. Beware of imposters. Some charities have adopted names that sound similar to well-known organizations with good reputations, but they are not the same. Watch for scams from organizations that thank you for your previous donations. Chance are, you never gave to them before. Giving to charity is a natural impulse at this time of year. In addition, many people make donations before the end of the year to reduce their tax liability. So in addition to checking a charity's track record, visit www.irs.gov to make sure it's a legitimate 501(c)(3) organization under IRS rules and that your donation is truly deductible. We don't want to discourage charitable giving, but please make sure your money is going where it will do the most good.   MailTribune.com Writer Posted Dec. 21, 2014 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. 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