Rick Cohen, the director of communications and operations for the Washington, D.C.-based National Council of Nonprofits, which advocates for nonprofits, says not to fall into the trap of writing off a nonprofit because of how much it spends on staff or operating costs.

Cohen recommended checking to see if a nonprofit had invested in an unusual purchase that caused a change in spending — such as repairing a facility or upgrading technology.

“Whenever you’re donating or volunteering for a nonprofit, you want to make sure you know why certain things are the way they are,” Cohen said. “It’s best to send an email or pick up the phone and ask.”