With the holiday season in high gear and the economy in low, it's natural to want to reach out to those in need. But do they need your money, your time or your donated goods most?
All charities have different needs, and many need all three.
But what you give will depend on what you can offer -- for instance, buying a teddy bear for a needy child, volunteering to help a kid learn to read or writing a check to an animal shelter. (You may decide to give goods, services and cash to different organizations.)
The first step, if you haven't got an organization in mind, is to ask yourself who or what causes you most want to support: Needy families? Hospitalized children? Injured wildlife? New sports equipment for an elementary school? Books for kids in Nepal? Do you want to help people overseas, or is giving locally a higher priority?
You might already know of organizations that address your top concerns, or you might want to search online. Check out nonprofits on Charity Navigator or other charity evaluators, or contact the chambers of commerce in the cities where the organizations are based.
Once you identify organizations you want to support, you may want contact them to find out their needs and get suggestions on how you could best help.
We checked in with several nonprofit organizations to find what they need most this holiday season.
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Cash is always appropriate
All nonprofits need financial contributions."Our biggest need is money," says Chris Krager, the director of Samaritan House in Kalispell, Mont. "We get 90% of our financial donations in December."
Samaritan House is the only shelter for five Montana counties. Krager, like other nonprofit officials, has seen a decline in financial donations this year. (See "How much should you give?")
Nonprofits use cash donations to fund operations and buy items in bulk for their clients. The organizations often partner with other service groups and pool their donations to stretch their dollars. At the St. Vincent de Paul Society, for example, most of the canned and packaged goods it provides are donated, so it uses donated funds to buy holiday meats in bulk. (The charity provides emergency food, cash and shelter to the poor with money raised through its thrift stores.)
At Mercy Corps in Portland, Ore., every dollar secures $20.89 in donated food and other supplies, says communications officer Caitlin Carlson, mostly because of corporate matching donations. (Mercy Corps provides emergency relief in the U.S. and abroad.)
But keep your guard up. As needs rise, so will the urgency of the pitches for your money. MSN Money columnist Liz Pulliam Weston offers some ways to sort through the clutter in "How to tell a good charity from a bad one."
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Checking out charitiesHere are 3 ways to make sure donations to your favorite charity aren't squandered.
Here are some ways to donate cash or raise money for nonprofits:
- Hold a bake sale or silent auction and donate the proceeds.
- Host a lecture or film screening in your home and ask your guests to make donations.
- Forgo or scale down this year's office Christmas party and donate the savings to a charity. Robert Bray of the Seattle chapter of St. Vincent de Paul says he's noticed that trend.
- Check the organizations' Web sites for one-click donations. For tax purposes, if the organization has 501(c)(3) status, be sure to get a receipt for your donation.
- Set up a collection jar on your desk at work if your office policy allows it, then donate the proceeds.
(See "How to give, even when you're broke.")
Continued: Volunteer your time
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