It's the end of the year and the last shot for getting charitable donations to all your favorite environmental groups on this year's tax record. But is that 501(c)(3) really saving the spotted owl or is it wasting money on bureaucracy?

If you want to donate but you're uncertain of how an organization manages its finances or programs, you may be interested in what GuideStar has to show you. Dedicated to creating a "more transparent and accountable nonprofit community," GuideStar collects and shares data on more than 1.5 million philanthropic organizations.

After the free registration process, you can access a nonprofit's basic profile and peruse facsimiles of the latest 990 forms that it has filed with the IRS. (For a fee, GuideStar also offers select and premium accounts that feature more in-depth analysis and background.)

Whether you want to learn more about your local NPR station, examine the records of the humane society down the street, or investigate the World Wildlife Fund, GuideStar will illuminate the way.