The fourth quarter of each year is the time when charitable donations are traditionally the greatest. With that season of giving fast approaching, it’s time to take a look at the groups that ask for our money and ask them what they do with it.

Nonprofit organizations that solicit funds in Maine must register with the state’s Office of Licensing and Registration. Ask the next caller who wants a donation if his organization is registered in Augusta; a quick hang-up could save you money and heartache over a squandered donation.

Although charities must register, that doesn’t mean the state approves of everything those registered groups do. While they have to report the amount of money they raise, it’s not always clear where that money goes. A caller soliciting funds for charity X might advise, “Don’t drink and drive,” allowing the organization to categorize the call as educational.

A couple of people have written to Northeast CONTACT in the past few weeks inquiring about solicitations they’d received. One wondered about her $35 donation to the Breast Cancer Relief Fund, followed shortly by a call seeking a contribution to the Fireman’s Relief Fund. She heard “the same people on the phone, and they already had my address (incorrect) exactly as the BCRF had it.”

Coincidence? We think not.

According to a review on the Better Business Bureau’s Web site, the Breast Cancer Relief Fund is also known as the American Breast Cancer Relief Foundation, American Breast Cancer Relief Fund, Center for Cancer Detection and Prevention, and Cancer Center for Detection and Prevention. Officials have either ignored inquiries or declined to submit information to the BBB about the amount of money spent on the programs and how much goes into fundraising.

We give with our hearts; that’s not a bad practice, as long as those we give to have our interests – and the interests of those they promise to help – at heart. In some cases, organizations spend as much or more on fundraising as they spend on the program or relief effort that is supposed to be their mission.

To make sure your contribution gives the help people need, give directly to organizations doing the work, rather than relying on another group to pass your donation along. Every “middleman” involves some administrative cost, lessening the amount of your gift.

Validate the legitimacy of a solicitation by going to the charity’s Web site yourself; don’t click on a link that’s supposed to take you there but may actually redirect you to a similar-looking but fraudulent site.

Don’t provide your personal or financial information to a solicitor. Your good intentions could result in your identity being stolen by a fraud artist in charity’s clothing.

If phoned, ask to be sent written information about the work the charity is doing and percentage spent fundraising. A legitimate charity will send you the material and will welcome your donation next week, next month or whenever you choose to give.

A number of groups keep an eye on charitable giving. The American Institute of Philanthropy gets good reviews for its criticism of fundraisers that other watchdogs such as Charity Navigator have given high marks. AIP has a useful, easy-to-navigate Web site (charitywatch.org) that’s worth a visit.

As in making a purchase, do your research first. You have a right to know if you’re talking to a professional fundraiser and, if so, the respective percentages of your gift that go to the fundraising group and to the charity. And you always have the right to say no.

Consumer Forum is a collaboration, now in its 30th year, of the Bangor Daily News and Northeast CONTACT, Maine’s membership-funded nonprofit consumer organization. Individual and business memberships are available at modest rates. Interested and motivated prospective volunteers are always needed and welcomed to apply to help with our mission. For assistance with consumer-related issues, including consumer fraud and identity theft, or for more information, write: Consumer Forum, P.O. Box 486, Brewer 04412, or e-mail contacexdir@live.com.