Before giving money to a charity to help the survivors of the earthquake in Haiti, research your charity on Charity Navigator. This organization gives you lots of information and even some tips on donating to Haiti. (It is also a great resource for locating local charities).

When you are donating be wary of start up groups you have never heard of or email pleas. Phishers may try to take advantage of the situation and get your credit card number when you were just trying to help others in need. Eve if you get an email from a group, type in the URL yourself  before making a donation.

Though supplies are needed, donations of supplies is not the best route to go at this point because items such as water , clothing and food still need to be shipped. By donating to a larger organization that has been in existence for years and has some experience with disaster relief on a large scale.