The charitable-giving season is underway, but with budgets tight, it’s important to get the most out of your gift. You may get more mileage from your contribution by giving to smaller, local organizations, rather than to the big, brand-name charities.  We always hear about “buy local” but it’s important to “give local” too. The move toward local giving also represents a shift toward more efficient giving. With fewer charitable dollars in play, local charities are often able to spend more of the money they raise on programs, largely because they don’t usually employ professional fundraisers or a powerful chief executive with a big salary to match. One way to check the different organizations you are considering donating to, is to check them out with the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance