KONY 2012's unintended controversy

SPRINGFIELD, Mass. (WWLP) - One week ago, most Americans had never heard of Joseph Kony.

That changed on Monday, when the San Diego based charity Invisible Children posted a thirty minute documentary about the Ugandan warlord. He’s the leader of the “Lord’s Resistance Army,” which is notorious for abducting, raping and maiming villagers while using an army of child soldiers. The child soldiers are kidnapped from their homes, and many are forced to kill their own families before being taken away to fight.

By Thursday, the video had more than 41 million views. Celebrities from Oprah to Puff Daddy were tweeting about it on Twitter. Even the White House acknowledged the internet sensation.

But it didn’t take long for critics to dissect the charity’s finances. A controversy over Invisible Children’s spending soon followed, as critics revealed that most of the dollars donated have been spent on salaries, travel and filmmaking.

There’s no denying the charity’s viral video has exponentially increased awareness of the plight of so many in Uganda. And many social media users say that in and of itself is a charitable virtue. But the ongoing controversy raises the question- how do you sift through charities of all kinds to find out exactly where your dollars are being spent?

Charity rating websites are your best bet.

You can log onto Charity Navigator and Guidestar for a wealth of information about thousands of charities. Visitors can view financial breakdowns, tax records and detailed ratings of most major charities.

Charity Watch is another good resource.

The Better Business Bureau has a comprehensive website , too, in addition to services through their local offices.

So before you open your wallet, take advantage of the tools out there. It can give you peace of mind knowing your dollars are making the most difference, wherever your heart strings may lead you.