Pa. releases 2016 report on charities

It's the season for giving, but the state of Pennsylvania also wants its residents to be wise when making charitable contributions around the holidays and beyond.

The Department of State has released its annual charities report, which includes registrations, investigations, and audits of charitable organizations operating in Pennsylvania.

For instance, the report outlines what percentage of every donated dollar goes to the charity and how much is charged by the solicitors or counsels for their services. It also gives consumer tips on making charitable-giving decisions.

"We are in the season during which many generous Pennsylvanians want to share their blessings with others," Secretary of State Pedro Cortés said.

"Unfortunately, there are some unscrupulous individuals and organizations that will try to take advantage of this generosity. We encourage all potential donors to become fully informed before contributing to any charitable organization."

Cortes encourages consumers to use the department's website to search for their charity of choice and confirm that the organization is on the up-and-up.