How do I know if a charity actually deserves my money and values?

This question itself tells me you're thinking like a reasonable person. I've spent my life asking: what makes something just? It's not enough that an organization claims good intentions. Look at three things. First, transparency—can you find their financial reports? Where does money actually go? Second, alignment with your values—do they treat dignity as central, or just move problems around? Third, local knowledge. If you care about education in your community, talk to teachers there, not just read their website. I used to think the biggest organizations were safest. I was wrong. A small group treating people as full human beings often does more justice than a large bureaucracy that forgets why it started. The money matters, yes. But your reasoning about where it goes matters more. That's where your integrity lives.