When you think about donating to charity and what it means, what comes to mind? For most people, the answer is donating money. For this reason alone, many who lack disposable income or utilize a budget feel that they are incapable of donating to charity. However, the beauty in donation is in the act itself, not how much you can give. If you’re working with a budget, but would still like to give where you can, these tips should prove fruitful:
Time is Money
A majority of nonprofits run on volunteer support alone. As such, people willing to donate their time can be just as, if not more, valuable than cash donations. Volunteering is one of the most accessible ways to donate since there are numerous opportunities to do so around every corner. Look into your local soup kitchen, homeless shelter, or senior center and see how you can volunteer to help. It is a great way to get out into your community and make a real impact on people’s lives.
Donate Skill Set
If you want to take volunteering up a notch, consider donating your skills to a charity. Many nonprofit organizations don’t have the budget for promotional materials, instructors, or marketing services. If you have a specialized skill set, contact a charity of your choice and offer your services pro bono. Whether you end up creating a brochure, leading a cooking class at the soup kitchen, or redesigning a charity’s website, your skills appreciated.
Donate Belongings
Chances are, you likely have a few items of clothing or home goods that get absolutely no use. Perhaps you like to keep your wardrobe fresh and buy mostly trendy pieces, only to put them aside later. If that’s the case, instead of letting those items gather dust in your cabinets or closet, take them to your local consignment store. Donating items is one of the easiest and most impactful ways to donate—and it helps the earth!
Shop Selectively
Even if you can’t find the extra funds to donate money, you are still allocating funds to buy necessities like food. As such, considering where you spend your money can help you make a difference more indirectly. For example, AmazonSmile donates .5% of eligible purchases to an organization of your choosing. Whole Foods also lets you donate the credits you earn from using a reusable bag to a local charity. Since we live in a time where corporate social responsibility is trendy, there are numerous ways to give back when you shop—all it takes is just a little research.
All in all, the sentiment at the beginning of this blog says it best: the beauty in donation is in the act itself, not how much you can give. You may not always have a lot to give, and that’s okay. What matters is that you make an effort to do what you can, when you can, with what you have.