5 minutes of caring
Do Due Diligence
Give better before you give more. We'd all like to be at a place in our lives where we can write as many checks as we'd like to any and all deserving nonprofits. But until we invent something awesome, we're left with having to do our research and make educated decisions about where to send our budgeted donation dollars each month. For that reason, then, spend 5 minutes today learning more about a nonprofit and how they might be using that donation you're sending their way. A little due diligence on your end will ensure that you're maximizing the impact of your hard earned dollars.
CommentsJennifer commented, on May 6, 2008 at 8:52 a.m.: As someone who works for in fundraising for a nonprofit, I have to put in a word for unrestricted donations! Your donations may go to something mundane like office supplies instead of directly to buying meals for homeless families, but those office supplies are important too! Without support for the background operations of an organization, those organizations can't do the direct service people need. Post a commentYou must be a registered user to post comments. |
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Kathy commented, on May 6, 2008 at 6:41 a.m.:
My husband usually organizes donations with the children. They've purchased animals through Heifer International and also given to various disaster relief programs through Catholic Relief Services or Catholic Charities. The children contribute from their allowances, and we match it.
Rather than giving Mother's Day gifts, we've started giving Mercy Kits through Mercy Corps. A Mercy Kit can be printed out, emailed or snail-mailed. We are giving Honey Bee farm kits this year, so the card has a photo of a farmer in Honduras with the bee boxes and an explanation of the rebuilding program.
We also have a "Change in Your Pocket" can. Any loose change in the house goes in there, and it adds up to a lot of money. We periodically decide where to donate it. The last time, it was about $120. This is a good example of how little things add up over time, and they get to count the money. It's really fun.