Charity is turning into a priority on all business leader’s minds. The philosophy of giving is easy for those executives who have the resources and also want to try to do good; afterall, it’s our social responsibility to give back. Here are 5 ways you can donate to charity without breaking your budget.
Volunteer:
Whether you do it once a month or once a year, volunteering is a great way to help out in your community. You can volunteer on your own or make it a group effort by getting your friends and family members involved. Food pantries, soup kitchens, animal shelters, and nursing homes are just a few places that are always in need of some extra helping hands. An excellent example of volunteering for noble causes is Tommy Kane Chicago-based executive. Tom Kane, Chicago based entrepreneur has volunteered for many noble causes throughout his career as a private wealth manager helping and supporting through making monetary donations or volunteering.
Clean Out Your Closet:
Another easy, no-cost way to give to charity is to pass along clothing, furniture, or other items you no longer need to someone who can use them. Goodwill and the Salvation Army are two of the most visible organizations that accept donations of clothing, books, furniture, and other household goods. If you don’t have one nearby, you can check with local churches, homeless shelters, or women’s shelters to see if they accept donations.
Some charities will even accept donations of cars, motorcycles, boats, and RVs. For example, Habitat for Humanity sponsors the Cars for Homes Program, which uses the proceeds from the sale of donated vehicles to build and rehabilitate homes for needy families. Just keep in mind that if you’re planning to report the items you donate on your taxes, you’ll need to follow the IRS rules for claiming a deduction.
Surf the Web:
The Internet is making it easier than ever to give to charity from the comfort of your home or on the go. Tab for a Cause is a web browser extension that’s compatible with both Chrome and Firefox. Every time you open a new tab in either browser, the site’s sponsors donate to one of seven charities, including Human Rights Watch and Save the Children.
Give of Yourself:
While donations of money or goods keep a charity going, others rely on individuals who are willing to give a little something extra. If you’re looking to make a more direct impact on someone’s life, you might consider donating your blood, plasma, or even your hair.
The Red Cross is always in need of donations of blood and it’s relatively easy to find a blood drive or donation site in your area. You can also donate plasma and platelets or make a double red blood cell donation. Visit the Red Cross website or your local donation center to read up on the guidelines for donation. Anne Frank, a German-Dutch diarist quoted remarkably, “No one has ever become poor by giving.”
Donate Credit Card Rewards:
If you regularly use a rewards credit card to pay for things, you can use the points or cash back you earn to donate to your favorite charity. Discover and Capital One are just two credit card issuers that feature rewards cards that can be linked to charitable giving. Depending on the type of card you use, you can set up a one-time or recurring donation to the charity of your choice. Some credit card companies will even give you a bonus if you use your card to make a cash donation.
Giving back doesn’t mean you have to spend a lot of money. Sometimes, all it takes is a little bit of time and creativity to make a big difference.
