This month marks the ninth anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks. On that day in 2001, 2,819 people died in the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon, and onboard United Airlines Flight 93 — including 343 firefighters and paramedics who died at Ground Zero. On that day, thousands of first responders would be exposed to carcinogens and toxins that would cripple their health for years to come.

We won't forget the images of that horrific day — nor should we. It is important to remember and honor 9/11 victims and survivors. But it's also important to be cautious about donating to the charities founded in their names, a renewed concern as the 10th anniversary approaches.

To say that Americans are compassionate is an understatement. After 9/11, an overwhelming number of charitable organizations responded to the needs of the injured and survivors. And numerous new charities cropped up to accept donations for the devastated FDNY. Such organizations received more than $2.2 billion in donations, according to the watchdog group Charity Navigator.

In the months after 9/11, FIRE CHIEF received numerous press releases and phone calls from organizations and companies claiming to raise funds for firefighters' widows and orphans. I heard from people selling 9/11 commemorative items, of which a “portion of the profits” or “a portion of the sales” would be donated to families or survivors. Vendors were selling ornaments, shirts, quilts, photos — even bottles of alcohol — all to theoretically raise funds for 9/11 survivors. Eventually, I became skeptical and began to inquire how much or what percentage of sales was being donated — and I received few replies.

Several e-mails touted 501(c)(3) status as proof of legitimacy. I spoke with a corporate lawyer about that designation 501(c)(3), and she told me it is related to tax breaks and nothing more. A organization can establish itself as non-profit and obtain a tax exemption from the Internal Revenue Service. There are three categories of 501(c)(3) organizations — public charities, private foundations and private operating foundations — and an organization must meet the IRS' general definition of being organized for a charitable purpose in order to be deemed as such an organization. Definitions of each can be found at IRS.gov.

According to an article in New York magazine, in the year following the attacks, charities raised an estimated $500 million for “funds dedicated to NYPD and FDNY families,” but only 25% of that money went to the intended recipients. In the years following, the government, the media and the public held many large organizations — including the American Red Cross — accountable for their intake and output of 9/11-oriented donations.

But one organization in the Washington, D.C., area offered a different solution. The Survivors' Fund raised $25 million from more than 12,000 residents and businesses after the terrorist attacks. Rather than simply cut checks to survivors, the fund hired professional case managers to work one-on-one with families, helping them to move beyond their grief, pay their bills, receive mental-health counseling and develop long-term goals. Experts hail this model of disaster-relief philanthropy, also used after the 1995 Oklahoma City bombing, as a success.

No doubt numerous new charities will emerge between now and Sept. 11, 2011. And members of the fire and emergency services will be inclined to give generously of their time and money. But do your homework and ask questions to make sure your efforts and donations reach the intended recipients.