For Today’s Giver, 'Robo-Advisers' Streamline Philanthropy

Charitable planning and giving is going robo.

New services are emerging that not only make giving automatic, but help you screen and select charities online that match your objectives. These “robo-donors” are also helping those who are tech-attuned to target their donations.

Scott Yak, 27, a software developer with Google in New York City, came across a relatively new digital charity adviser called AgoraforGood.com, which screens more than one million nonprofits.

Instead of just offering reports analyzing specific charities, Agora for Good creates customized, mutual-fund-like portfolios of nonprofits. The charities are grouped together based on 17 United Nations global development goals. Users can then assemble portfolios based on their specific objectives.