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5 Easy Ways To Support Local Charities
By Mary Adeyemi
introduction
Do you want to make a difference in your community but need to know where to start? Supporting local charities is an easy and effective way to give back. Not only do they directly benefit those in need within your neighborhood, but they also create a sense of unity and strength within the community. Whether you need more time or money, there are plenty of ways to get involved and make a positive impact.
So let’s dive into five easy ways to support local charities that won’t break the bank or take up too much of your precious time! As the saying goes: “Charity begins at home” supporting local charities is a great way to give back to your community and make a difference in the lives of those around you.
Research Local Charities
So, you’ve decided to support local charities? Good for you! One of the easiest ways to do so is by researching local charities. Yes, that’s right. You heard it here first – research! It may seem an obvious suggestion, but believe me when I say it can make a difference.
Firstly, how else will you find out about all the amazing work being done in your community if you don’t take the time to search for it? Secondly, doing some background checks on these organizations will give you peace of mind knowing that your money or resources are going towards a worthy cause and not just lining someone’s pockets (you know who they are).
Researching local charities will help you identify which ones align with your values and beliefs. There’s no point donating to an organization that supports something you’re against just because everyone else seems to be doing it. Take control of where your funds go!
To wrap things up, conducting thorough research into local charities is a great starting point for supporting them effectively. And guess what? The next step is even more exciting, Volunteering your time and skills!
Volunteer Your Time And Skills
Skills-based volunteering is a great way to support local charities. Did you know that according to the Corporation for National and Community Service, over 62 million Americans volunteered nearly 6.9 billion hours in their communities in 2018? Imagine the impact we could make if just a fraction of those volunteers devoted some of their time to supporting local charities. Here are three easy ways you can get involved:
Offer your professional skills pro bono. Are you an accountant? Offer to do some bookkeeping for a small nonprofit organization. Or maybe you’re skilled in web design – reach out to a charity and see if they need any website updates. Skills-based volunteering can help address a number of challenges facing nonprofits today.
The pandemic has disrupted nonprofit operations and caused a higher reliance on digital tools to deliver programming. Canada Helps conducted a survey of more than 1400 Canadian charities about their digital skills. 54 per cent of the respondents believed they’ll soon find it harder to conduct their programming without improvements to their digital capabilities, making it clear that digital adoption is a much needed change for many nonprofits. Yet most cannot afford to hire tech professionals to fulfill their need for digital upgrades due to short-term demands and resource limitations.
This is where skills-based volunteering comes in. Organizations that bring in qualified digital talent will be more successful in filling the digital gap of their organization and skilled volunteers provide this talent at minimum to zero cost.
Participate in fundraising events like walkathons or auctions. Not only will you be helping raise money for the organization, but it’s also a fun way to meet new people who share similar values.
Also, please don’t underestimate the power of spreading awareness about local charities by sharing their mission on social media or telling your friends and family about them.
By volunteering your time and skills, you have the opportunity to make a meaningful difference within your community while gaining valuable experience and connections along the way. And if you’re looking for more ways to get involved with local charities beyond skills-based volunteering, attending charity events is another fantastic option!
Attend Charity Events
If giving back to the community is important to you, attending charity events might be a great option. These events are not only fun, but they also help support local charities. You can enjoy yourself while also making a difference in your community.
Check out the schedule of upcoming charity events in your area. Some examples include galas, auctions, concerts, and sports tournaments. Choose one that interests you and fits into your schedule.
Invite friends, colleagues, or family members to join you for the event. Not only will this make it more enjoyable, but it’s also an opportunity to spread awareness about the cause and encourage others to attend future events.
Consider purchasing tickets or making donations towards the event if possible. This helps ensure that the charity receives maximum benefit from the event.
Show up with a positive attitude, ready to have a good time while supporting a worthy cause. Take advantage of any photo opportunities or social media posts to further promote the event.
Attending charity events provides a unique opportunity to give back while having fun at the same time. However, if attending an event isn’t feasible for you, there are other ways you can still contribute, such as making donations – which we’ll discuss next!
Make Donations
Making donations is one of the easiest ways to support local charities. You can help these organizations continue their crucial work in your community by giving financial aid. Juxtaposed with attending charity events, which require a certain level of availability and commitment, donating allows flexibility and convenience. Whether it’s a one-time contribution or a recurring monthly amount, every little bit helps.
It’s essential to research the charity you plan on donating to beforehand to ensure that your money will go toward a cause you believe in, like we discussed earlier.
Moreover, donating can mean something other than giving money directly. Many charities accept non-monetary donations such as, clothing, furniture, or old electronics. Before throwing away items that are still usable but no longer needed, consider donating them instead. This not only supports a good cause but also reduces waste and benefits the environment.
In addition to helping local charities financially or through material goods, spreading awareness about their mission is another way to show support. The more people know about an organization and its goals, the more likely they are to contribute themselves. In the next section about ‘spread the word,’ we’ll explore some simple yet effective strategies for promoting charities within your community.
Spread The Word
Looking for an easy and effective way to support local charities? Look no further than spreading the word! Sharing information about these organizations with friends, family, and colleagues can raise awareness and encourage others to get involved.
Imagine sitting at a coffee shop with your best friend when they ask what you’ve been up to lately. Instead of just talking about your own life, why not take a moment to share some information about a local charity that could use their support? As you describe the organization’s mission and impact on the community, you’ll be planting seeds in your friend’s mind that may lead them to donate or volunteer down the line.
Of course, sharing information is only one piece of the puzzle – ensuring you’re spreading accurate and up-to-date details is essential. This might mean bookmarking key websites or social media profiles to quickly check for updates before passing along any news. Additionally, consider contacting the charity directly to see if they have any specific messaging or resources they’d like to share.
In short, spreading the word about local charities is an effortless yet powerful way to make a difference. Whether through casual conversations with loved ones or more formal online posts, every little bit helps raise awareness and increase support for those who need it most. So next time someone asks what you’ve been up to lately, don’t hesitate to mention all the amazing work done by local nonprofits – who knows how many hearts and minds you might inspire!
The Bottom Line
So there you have it! Supporting local charities is not only easy but also incredibly rewarding. You can make a huge difference in your community by researching and volunteering your time and skills, attending charity events, making donations, and spreading the word. Did you know that according to the Giving USA Foundation, charitable giving increased by 5.1% in 2020 despite the pandemic? Your support could be part of this incredible statistic and help those who need it most. Let’s continue to come together as a community and positively impact the world around us!