If most donators did do research then they would not contribute even a tax deductible dime.
Well documented charity scams include building just six houses for half a billion US dollars by the Red Cross:<p><a href="https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-red-cross-raised-half-a-billion-dollars-for-haiti-and-built-6-homes" rel="nofollow">https://www.propublica.org/article/how-the-red-cross-raised-...</a><p>These well known charities gave between 0% to less than 12% to their intended recipients:<p><a href="https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-america-how-to-keep-from-being-scammed" rel="nofollow">https://smartasset.com/mortgage/the-50-worst-charities-in-am...</a><p>Only way to give aid with certainty (with charity foundations eating it up with “admin” expenses) is to avoid agency risk and give directly. In fact that is Bill and Melinda Gates set up their eponymous charity and why Warren Buffett will contribute to it.