Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to give back this holiday season. Giving Tuesday encourages people to give back to their communities worldwide. Whether you’re looking to donate time, money, or resources, Giving Tuesday is a great opportunity to get involved!
With any charitable act, it’s important to ensure your donation is going to a reputable organization that will use your support effectively. We’ll be sharing some tips to make sure you’re experiencing this Giving Tuesday safely, securely, and with maximum benefit.
1. Why You Should Give Back
Giving back isn’t just about a financial donation, it’s about caring for your community. The holidays are a great time to reflect on what means the most to you give back to those around you. The Census Bureau reports that nearly 15 million children in our country live in poverty. Charitable organizations like, Toys for Tots, help provide toys for impoverished children. In 2023, Toys for Tots volunteers were able to distribute 25.5 million toys to 10.3 million economically disadvantaged children. Charitable organizations rely on donations and volunteers during the holidays to make their goals become reality, and to effect positive change in their communities.
2. Choose the Right Charity
Before you donate, think about which causes are most meaningful to you. Do you have a passion for environmental protection? Helping children in need? Supporting veterans? Finding a charity that aligns with your personal values can make your donation feel more purposeful and fulfilling.
To help guide your decision, look for organizations with a clear mission and a solid track record of success.
Our financial wellness partner, Banzai, has a resource to help you choose the right charity. Learn more here.
3. Verify Donation Websites
Unfortunately, there are people who take advantage of charitable acts. Scam websites and fraudulent charities often pop up, especially during the holidays. To ensure your donations are going to the right place, always verify the legitimacy of a charity before making your donation.
Check for a Secure website: Make sure the website starts with https:// and has a padlock symbol in the search bar to confirm it’s secure.
Look for transparency: Legitimate charities will have clear contact information and details on how they allocate funds on their website. Be cautious if you can’t find the information easily.
Research the organization: Websites like Charity Navigator, Great Nonprofits, and Give have reviews and ratings for a wide range of charities to help you evaluate how effectively they use the donations they receive.
4. Understand How Funds are Used
When giving, you want to ensure your money is being put to good use. Many well-known charities are efficient at channeling donations into their programs and services, but not all of them are equally effective. Research the organization’s financials to see how much of your donation is going directly to the cause, and how much is spent on overhead costs.
5. Support Local
You may be most familiar with national and international organizations’ work, but supporting local charities often has the most immediate impact on your community. Research nonprofits and community groups in your area to help with grassroots efforts. Whether you’re supporting local schools, volunteering at your local food bank, or giving funds, supporting locally can make a significant difference.
6. Other ways to give
Not all giving requires a financial donation. If you’re unable to contribute money, there are still plenty of ways to support a cause.
Volunteer your time: Many organizations rely on volunteers to help run programs and events. Look for local opportunities to donate your time and skills.
Donate goods or services: Some charities accept donations such as food, clothing, or medical supplies. Check with local shelters, food banks, or other community organizations to see how you can help.
Participate in Pack the Plane: Pack the Plane is Alaska Air Group’s annual food, fundraising & volunteering drive held across AAG’s system. We are accepting non-perishable food donations at our SEA branch until December 15, 2024. Check out our Facebook post for more information on getting involved.
Conclusion
Remember, every act of kindness, no matter how big or small, makes a difference. Whether you’re donating money, volunteering your time, or sharing your support, you’re contributing to a better world.
This Giving Tuesday, take a moment to think about the causes that matter most to you, research, verify, and give confidently to the cause that you are passionate about.
Was this blog helpful?
Thank you for reading! We value your feedback. Please let us know if you found this article helpful.