Karen Hube, a columnist for The Fiscal Times, presented five steps to maximize end-of-the-year charitable giving.  In the Washington Post she wrote:

• Aim for a matching contribution.
• Size up the charity. [Determine how much of your donation actually goes to the cause, versus administrative costs].
• Give directly [to the charity, not to the third parties that collect money on behalf of charities].
• Consider the benefits of donating appreciated stock, rather than cash.
• Follow carefully the IRS's stringent rules.

"Above all, advisers say, keep good documentation of your giving," she said.

Rankings, ratings and financial analyses of charities are available at CharityNavigator and CharityWatch.

As you consider end-of-year gifts, think local, said Nancy-jo Manney, executive director of the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce. 

The following is a sampling of nonprofits in Fairfax County.  Those marked with an asterisk (*) are based in Burke/Springfield. 

This is not an exhaustive list.  If you have another nonprofit to recommend, please do so in the comment section of this article.

*Burke Volunteer Fire and Rescue Department

Court Appointed Child Advocates (CASAFairfax)

*Center for Adoption Support and Education (CASE)

*Chris4Life Colon Cancer Foundation

*The Duffy House

*Ecumenical Community Helping Others (ECHO)

Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling

Fairfax County Park Foundation

Fairfax County Restoration Project's Reforest Fairfax

Fairfax-Falls Church Community Partnership on Ending Homelessness

Fairfax Futures

Fairfax Gifts that Give Hope

Fairfax Library Foundation

Friends of the Fairfax County Animal Shelter

Life Circle Alliances

Literacy Council of Northern Virginia

Medical Care for Children Partnership Foundation

*SPecially Adapted Resource Club (SPARC)

*West Springfield Police District Citizens' Advisory Committee Holiday Meals for Officers

Sources:  The Fairfax County Office of Public Private Partnerships, Patch Picks: Burke Area Nonprofits, Your Support of Fairfax Advocates for Better Bicycling Benefits the Community and reader recommendations.