The holidays are times for vacations, family, and good food. For many Americans, it’s also a time for philanthropy.

Last year, American gave more than $358 billion to charity, more than any year ever, according to Giving USA Foundation. While some giving is from major donors and large private foundations, the bulk of charitable donations are from modest contributions from ordinary Americans, according to CNBC.

The holiday season is typically the busiest for philanthropy, with many people in a charitable mood or looking for ways to lighten their tax burden with deductible contributions. So many potential donors are now looking for ways to give that maximize the impact of their donations and avoid falling prey to scams.

One piece of advice from the experts: give close to your home and heart. For many this means giving to their college or church. In fact, 32 percent of all donations go to religious organizations, more than double the amount that goes to the second-leading category, educational gifts.

Some experts also advise donors to use caution when considering donations by phone using a credit card, especially for gifts to unfamiliar groups. Donors giving online should be sure that websites are secure before using their cards.

Some organizations use names similar to well-known nonprofits, so donors need to be wary. Donors should look for the organization’s Employer Identification Number, and avoid giving to charities that do not list one.

Some charities use telemarketing firms for fundraising, so donors should know that in some cases the bulk of the funds they give are going to pay the fundraisers, and not necessarily to charitable programs.

Donors also need to stay current to insure that their donations are tax deductible. A client of one wealth adviser wanted to give a sizable donation to a local hospital where he had been treated, but after looking into the facility the adviser learned that the hospital had been sold and was no longer a nonprofit eligible for charitable funds.

Online research, through nonprofit tracking sites like Charity Navigator, can also help donors evaluate charities. In many cases donors can find charities’ IRS forms and other financial information that can help determine how effective groups are with the money they raise.