SHREVEPORT, La. The Better Business Bureau office serving the region has released the Fall 2025 Regional Wise Giving Guide, providing an updated look at how more than 300 of the area’s most visible nonprofit organizations measure against the 20 national standards of the BBB Wise Giving Alliance. The guide is distributed to the public and to more than 2,000 businesses across the region.
The Wise Giving Guide reflects the results of ongoing Charity Accreditation Reviews, a community service authorized by the BBB’s board in November 2022. The reviews follow the same guidelines used by the BBB Wise Giving Alliance for nationally operating nonprofits, and all results are published on Give.org, with updates uploaded weekly.
All higher-visibility 501(c)(3) organizations that appeal to the public for support are automatically reviewed. Participation carries no cost, and BBB officials describe the program as a community service rather than a revenue-generating operation.
The review process evaluates nonprofits on criteria related to transparency, board governance, program effectiveness, financial practices and public communication. The BBB said the standards used today were developed 25 years ago by a national panel of nonprofit leaders and are currently undergoing an update by a new advisory group that includes representation from the local BBB.
Each assessment is conducted annually by a locally based reviewer. The BBB notifies nonprofits as their review window opens, and while the Wise Giving Alliance allows up to 180 days for completion, most assessments are finalized within two to three weeks. Accreditation generally requires organizational leaders to engage directly with a review counselor throughout the process.
The BBB said the long-term goal is for Accredited Charity status to become a common distinction among 501(c)(3) organizations in Louisiana, Arkansas and Texas. The office said broader participation is expected to help donors make better-informed giving decisions and strengthen overall public trust in the region’s nonprofit sector.