CASH
It’s easy to give a few bucks here a few bucks there every time you pass a bell-ringing Santa or cherub with a bucket.
But if you want to be sure where your money is going, research before reaching for your wallet.
There are several watchdog websites that breakdown where your money goes when you donate to a specific organization. Finding out after the fact that 80% of your donation went to pay for the CEO’s private jet, 10% to administrative overhead and 10% to the actual cause just plain sucks.
Charitywatch.org, charitynavigator.org or BBB Wise Giving Alliance (http://give.org) are all great places to start. These websites each work a little differently, some giving a grade others a star rating, but each can provide insight into the charity’s financial health and transparency and let you know how your donation will be used.
STUFF
Not comfortable giving money to a charity? There are plenty of places that will take stuff. Toys for Tots boxes are easily found in Walmart and other businesses. Just buy a new unwrapped toy and drop it in the box for a needy child. Lots of charities collect coats, hats and gloves for the winter and nonperishable foods and hygiene items are needed year round by many local and national organizations. When you give stuff, you can be sure it’s not ending up in the CEO’s pocket.
THINK GLOBAL, ACT LOCAL
When giving this holiday season, you may want to consider smaller local charities that give back to your community. Smaller organizations fly under the radar of many givers, receiving much less than national organizations that attract so much attention during the holidays. Giving that helps those in your own backyard can give you a nice warm and fuzzy holiday feeling.
FOLLOW YOUR HEART
Still can’t decide how to give this year? Find a cause that has special meaning to you. My husband likes to give to the National Association of Children of Alcoholics as the disease is widespread in his family. I like A21 which fights human trafficking around the globe. My children enjoy packing shoe boxes for Samaritan’s Purse and tracking what country their gift travels to. Whatever problem moves you, from hungry kids to homeless animals, veterans in need to ocean pollution, you can find a charity that helps.
Whatever you decide, get a receipt if it’s tax deductible, every little bit helps come April 15th.
Giving Tuesday is tomorrow 11/28. Give Smart this Holiday Season!
By Leanne
Leanne is a wife, mother of 2 and currently unemployed. Her writing has been featured at GirlBodyPride.com and The Huffington Post. She is currently avoiding writing a memoir of her summer as an exchange student. Follow her nowhere, because that would be stalking, as she does not tweet, blog or insta. She doesn’t even own a smartphone!
