In uncertain economic times, it is often difficult to make donations with the same frequency as in better days; however, giving money is only a small portion of your overall giving. Your time, talents, networks, enthusiasm, and spreading the word are also ways to give to charities. There are at least ten ways in which you can still continue to give in difficult times:
10. Conserve Resources.
Remember to turn off lights and computers you are not using. Use energy-saving light bulbs, reusable shopping bags and water bottles. Write family members’ names on cups and use the same cup all day instead of washing them after each meal. Turn off the water when you brush your teeth.
9. Donate stuff.
Donate clothes that are too small to thrift stores, charities, daycares, and churches. Consider giving stuffed animals and children’s books to hospitals. Old prom dresses or bridesmaid dresses can be donated to The Glass Slipper Project to provide dresses for girls who are unable to afford prom dresses.
8. Spend Gift Money on Charity.
Instead of sending cash for someone’s birthday, make a charitable donation in the birthday person’s name or send him a gift certificate so he can choose his own recipient.
7. Volunteer Your Time.
The average value of volunteer work is over $18 dollars per hour, according to Volunteer Match. Volunteer to help around the office, pick up donated items, become a museum guide or classroom parent, help at a soup kitchen, or join a board.
6. Volunteer Your Talents.
Consider what your talents are and how you could use them to help a charity. For example, someone who likes computers could build a website or a Twitter feed for their favorite charity. Other ideas include writing articles for a charity newsletter, designing a logo, helping with bookkeeping, or making quilts and knitted caps for a Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.
5. Use Your Entertainment Budget to Join the Zoo or Museum.
Choosing your entertainment can also support charity. For example, some zoos (like the Brookfield Zoo in Chicago) use their membership fees to support conservation efforts worldwide.
4. Join the 29-Day Giving Challenge.
Members of the 29-Day Giving Challenge commit to giving a gift every day for 29 days. Many people blog about their giving on the site, providing many ideas and inspiration for giving.
3. Find a Social Action.
Social Actions combines 30 websites that provide volunteer opportunities to support a cause, including Donors Choose, volunteermatch, idealist.org, change.org, and kiva.org. Search social actions by location, cause, or keyword.
2. Vote in Local Elections.
While most people know who the presidential candidates are, they are not as informed about their local candidates. These people will affect your favorite causes, so educate yourself about the issues and vote for people who will further the causes you care about.
1. Be the Change You Want to See in Your Community.
Sharon Schneider, the Vice President of Client Services at Foundation Source, writes “Without spending one dime, we can all make others feel welcome in our meetings and our conversations and out communities […] These small things are what we call being ‘gracious,’ or ‘charitable.’ To be truly charitable, we don’t have to give our money so much as we have to give of ourselves.”
Information taken from: Sharon Schneider. “Top 10 Ways to be Charitable When Money is Tight.” www.thephilanthropicfamily.com.
-- Ashley High is a Research Assistant at Christian Foundation Grants (www.christianfoundationgrants.com) which is a subscription database of foundations that provide grants to faith based organizations. iDonate.com is a website (www.iDonate.com) that allows ministries to receive non cash gifts online.