The answer is both yes, and no.

Before making a donation to ANY organization you should do some research. Don’t allow the caller to pressure you into making a contribution. If they do try to get you to commit before allowing you time to do some research then take that as a sign that they are not legit.

My wife’s uncle donates (he lives in Indiana) donates a small amount to a local organization annually, and he swears that he is never pulled over because of it. The caveat is that after his contribution is made, they mail him a sticker that he then places on the back of his car. That, to him is the game-changer. He thinks that when cops see that, they are more likely to ignore small infractions.