How To Make Donating Part Of Your Everyday Life
Photo by Robert Anthony
Expensive galas, charity months, Giving Tuesday, Holiday Giving, year-end gifts – the list goes on for charity campaigns and major days of giving that fall on nearly every day of the year. For many of us, the desire to give is there, but the budget is not. Or, maybe you have too many organizations that you support and you can’t give to all of them at the same time.
How do you balance it? How do you make donating part of your everyday life even if you aren’t Bill and Melinda Gates?
Follow these guidelines, by choosing what fits your lifestyle best, and you can give back each day.
01 | PLAN YOUR ANNUAL CALENDAR
Are you a planner? Do you like to keep track of your expenses? Use this skill to plan out how you will allocate your annual giving and put it into your budget. Maybe you like to support friends who run, or you want to attend one social fundraiser each month – whatever it may be, put it on your calendar and stick with that plan, so that your pocket book is always ready.
02 | CHOOSE TO SHOP AT SOCIALLY CONSCIOUS COMPANIES
Choosing to shop locally, and to purchase products from socially conscious brands is a great way to give back each day. Many companies give a portion of their proceeds to charity. From beauty products to bus rides, it can be easy to choose goods and services only from companies who care about their communities and environments. 1% for the Planet is a great resource with hundreds of companies worldwide that give back to the planet.
03 | KNOW YOUR LIMITS AND ONLY GIVE TO WHAT YOU BELIEVE IN
Don’t let giving become something you cut out because of a particular cause. If a gala you’re not really interested in is out of your budget, skip it. Put that money towards a cause that is closer to your heart. Never question your donation. Donate with confidence, and as in all things, never settle.
04 | MAKE DONATING ABOUT MORE THAN MONEY
Donating doesn’t have to be simply defined as cash. Time is money, right? Specific skills can be invaluable to an organization. Nonprofits are constantly seeking qualified graphic designers, videographers, CPAs, lawyers, health specialists and the list goes on. If you have a specialized skill, chances are there is someone out there who needs your help. Boards of Directors and Advisory boards need you too. No matter what you sell or what service you offer, it’s likely that by donating some of your product in-kind, you will be helping an organization.
05 | MAKE A DONATION ONE OF YOUR ANNUAL SPLURGES
A vacation, the hottest new tech on the market, upgrading your health insurance, whatever your annual splurges are, be sure to factor in a donation as one of them. Not only will the tax write-off help offset the costs of your other major purchases, you’ll be happy that you made one of them selflessly. You can even make charitable donations with a credit card. In fact, depending on which credit cards you use, you may even be rewarded with bonuses and/or rewards points.
06 | MAKE GIFT DONATION
It’s more common today to give donations in honor of a loved one over the holidays. Maybe consider going the non-traditional route this year. But what about outside of the holidays? Make a donation as a wedding gift in honor of the future Mr. & Mrs. – their first donation as husband and wife. Whether it’s a cause that they’re passionate about, or their alma matter, this is a unique gift that they are guaranteed to love.
07 | UTILIZE ‘AT CHECKOUT’
Nearly every time you make a purchase, the opportunity to donate also exists. Grocery stores, online utility bills, and even when you shop on Ebay or Amazon there’s usually an “add on” option to donate. For the latter, set up your account to fund the charity of your choice, and each time you make a purchase, AmazonSmile will give a portion back to that nonprofit. Athletic events, concerts, and many other experiences also provide an optional donation at checkout. Click that extra box, and make giving part of your everyday life.
FROM THE EDITOR
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