How To Improve Your Charitable Giving And Doing

Photo by Marcos Paulo Prado on Unsplash

Almost everyone wishes to do more for those in need – even when things are tight for them. One of the obstacles to giving is that many people assume the only way they can give is by giving financial support to charities. If you are in a position to do so, giving money can be a great way to support causes. Many charities have the option to give a small monthly donation or one-offs, like Oxfam. 

But there are many ways that small businesses and individuals can help support their favorite charities – or ones that are close to their hearts. 

Percentage 

If you want to donate money to charities, you can do so through your business by giving a percentage of your monthly sales. For individuals, you can set up an automated payment for a set amount. 

You might decide that you’d prefer to understand where the money will go in advance, and you can usually find that on the charity website. 

Fundraising 

Many social media platforms now offer a way to accept donations directly to your chosen charity. This is a great passive way to use your social media profiles to encourage people to give. 

When your birthday and other special events come up, you can also open up a charity donation option too. 

More active fundraising might be something that you would enjoy. You might find that the charity you want to fundraise for has fundraising packets that can help you set up coffee and cake mornings, school fundraising, and more. 

Active roles 

For those who are very passionate about the charity that they want to make an impact in, taking a more active role could make a huge impact. Usually, these active roles aren’t paid, so you’ll be giving time. 

Volunteering in a client-facing role, like working in the shops, helping with stock, and selling for a few hours per week, is ideal. There are also more intensive roles like ambassadors and sitting on the board. 

These are decision-making roles but will require that you attend meetings as well as work outside these meetings. 

Another way that you can add your voice of support to causes is by using your social media and becoming an online activist and sharing information, statistics, resources, and more for your followers. 

Donating 

For many of us, we have homes that are simply too full of things we don’t need, use, or even like. Donations to charities for other people to buy can put a lot of money into the charity of your choice. 

Clothing, accessories, and kitchen items are great options to donate to your local charity shop. 

Food banks across the world are being used more often, and often their stocks run low, and they are in need of donations of food, hygiene items, and cash. 

Find your local food bank, and give them a call to see what items they need and can accept.

Charity Products

Many charities now have their own branded items like cups, water bottles, bags, and more. Next time you need something that a charity might sell, head to their website or their local stores and buy those. 

Teach 

Get friends and family involved with charity too. It is important to teach children about other people who have needs in the world and how you and they can make a difference. Discuss things like giving unwanted items away, considering if other people might need something more than you, and the long-term impact that happens to families that might be struggling. 

Keep in mind that even the small things matter, things like being kind and considerate, showing support, and staying in touch with relatives that might be older or less mobile. 

Donate blood

One of the best things about being able to give blood is that you can change the life of someone that you will never meet. Giving blood saves lives and doesn’t take much time out of your day. 

Running 

For avid runners, there is nothing better than setting goals and then beating them. Charity runs are usually longer than an average run and will take a lot of training. People can sponsor you and even show up and support you on the day. You’ll need to look for the charity runs in your area, and some do have a cost attached to sign up and receive your fundraising pack. 

Another way to give is when it comes to gifts or making donations in the name of your friends and family. Looking for more information about charity giving: Charitable Giving: Why and How To Do It – Mom Blog Society.