The holiday season is a time of giving and for many of us, this means giving to charities or non-profits that need the extra funds or items we have to give. Donating to a charity is a great way to spread your Christmas cheer a little further and in some cases, it can be a tax write-off. But how do you know which charity to donate to? How do you find a good place to donate items rather than money if that is what you prefer to do? How can you avoid getting scammed? How do you know if there is a tax deduction? Here are some tips on How to Find the Perfect Charity to Donate to.
How to Find the Perfect Charity to Donate to
Pick a charity that means something to you. The easiest way to find the perfect charity for you to donate to is to look for one that aligns with something you are passionate about such as animals, a certain disease’s research or a social need such as helping the homeless. If it’s something you can believe in, you will feel better about donating and feel like you are actively making a difference.
Look into the charity’s background. Always look into a charity’s financial background if possible. Most reputable charities have their financial reports available right on their websites. Check into scams that may exist that are associated with the charity by typing in “scam + charity name”, but make sure to take what the results say with a grain of salt, too.
Call them and ask what they need. If you are looking to donate items to a charity rather than cash, ask the charity what they actually need. Many people assume they know and buy things the charity might always need, but it might not be a desperate need at the moment. Sometimes, the simplest things like paper towels or even crayons might be at the top of the charity’s list.
Talk to others. Talking with others who also donate to charities is a good place to get ideas. They may even be able to recommend one to you!
Look locally. It’s easy to think of a local charity as not as big of a deal in comparison to a national one, but giving locally can actually be an amazing experience. You know that your dollars or items are helping folks within your own community, and often times you can visit the charity’s headquarters and donate time as well.
Ask if they are tax-deductible. The easiest way to find out if your gift is tax deductible is to ask. Also, be aware that not only are cash donations deductible but sometimes material donations are too.
Make sure you understand what the charity does and where donations go. Sometimes, we have a vision of where our money goes and only loosely understand what a charity does. In order to avoid disappointment or to just get a better understanding of a charity, do some research into where donations go. An honest charity will have these reports available and may even let you see if they are local.
More Ways to Give Back
10 Ways to Give Back This Holiday Season
52 Ways to Volunteer in the New Year
Volunteering When You Have Young Children
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