Responding to the widespread devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, people all over the country have their checkbooks out, ready to give. But will your money go where you want it to? Who should you make that check out to? 

Renata Rafferty, one of the nation’s leading experts and an author on charitable giving, offers the following advice:

Wait

When disaster strikes, Americans get generous. But with Katrina’s full effects still being calculated, few charities had defined their relief action plan early on. It’s wise to give money immediately to well-known disaster response agencies, but wait for more information from the others. They’ll let us know how best we can help.

Follow

With tens of thousands of victims being moved to outlying areas, even across state lines, local charities in receiving cities such as Houston will be in desperate need of help to support and sustain relocated families. Direct some of your donations to these areas and charities outside the immediate disaster zone.

Anticipate 

The full effects of water-borne illness, contaminated food supplies, long-term unemployment and regional recession/depression won’t be apparent for some time. The need for support will shift from immediate disaster relief to the rebuilding of lives, infrastructures and economies. Long after Katrina is “the news of the day,” those charities addressing health, economic development and reemployment will be desperate for your donations.

Lessons learned from giving to previous disasters such as 9/11 and the 2004 Southeast Asia tsunami apply to Katrina donations as well: •Never respond to telephone or e-mail solicitations for donations. •Always specify on your check how you wish your donation to be used. •Beware of “sound alike” charities: when in doubt, verify a charity’s legal status online at www.guidestar.org or with the local Better Business Bureau or community foundation. •Refrain from collecting clothing, bedding or household items until a charity has agreed to accept such articles. •Ensure any donations via the Internet are made over a secure, encrypted connection.

And please remember the charities in your home community. With so much attention—and giving—focused on Katrina relief, local organizations will no doubt face their own fundraising challenges as they continue to meet the ongoing needs found in every community.

For more information on how to maximize the impact of all your donations, pick up Renata J. Rafferty’s best-selling book “Don’t Just Give It Away: How to Make the Most of Your Charitable Giving,” to be released in an expanded and updated second edition this winter.