If you’re looking to make a charitable donation, you’re not alone. Over 95% of Americans participate in charitable giving in some way, shape or form. It’s one of the best ways for helping families in need, and there are an abundance of options and paths you can take. It isn’t always easy figuring out how to donate to charity. Here are some tips to keep in mind when making charitable donations.
1. Deciding on a Charitable Organization.
With an endless number of options on the internet for you to charitably donate time, money or items, it’s important to do your research. Figure out what it is you want to donate, whether that’s simply money, household items or you can even donate clothing. Finding a local charity that accepts non-perishable food is a great option that will likely help make an immediate difference. There are even some charities that will pick up donations, which can make the act of giving even more convenient. There are often great places to volunteer locally as well at places such as food banks. Another great option, especially if you are looking to donate to more specific causes, is to look online. There are thousands upon thousands of charities out there, covering varying causes. When looking at online charities, it’s important to do your homework to make sure they are legitimate. Type the organization’s name into your favorite search engine and do a little digging before sending any money.
2. You Can Donate Clothing!
Many people across the country have extra clothing that they don’t wear anymore. A simple way to make a difference helping families in need of support is to donate clothing. If you are someone wondering how to donate to charity but unsure what you can do, this might be the best option for you. Do some research and find out which local charities around you will accept clothing donations. You should be able to track down some local organizations that will help get your extra clothing into the hands of people who could really use it. You can clear up closet space by donating the clothes you don’t wear anymore! It’s a win-win situation. Right now, only about 15 percent of used clothing is donated or recycled. The rest ends up in landfills, making textiles near the bottom of the list when it comes to recycling rates of reusable materials. By donating your clothing, you’re making a difference in the lives of those in need and helping protect our environment for the future. Go you!
3. Once You’ve Found a Charitable Organization, Check the Donation Guidelines
Oftentimes, charities will have a specific set of donation guidelines. These will inform you of what items or conditions the organization accepts. It’s important to look into and follow these guidelines when making a charitable donation, as sending charities unusable items unfortunately just wastes valuable time. You can find out what a charity’s donation guidelines are by checking on their website or calling the organization.
Hopefully, these tips will help you when figuring out how to donate to charity. Do you have any tips you’d like to share when making charitable donations? Leave them in the comments below!