What Are the Different Ways You Can Give to Nonprofits?
When it comes to giving to charity, there are more ways than ever to make an impact. Whether you want to donate your time, money, or even the products you buy, there are countless options to support causes close to your heart. In fact, giving options are easier and more diverse than ever. In this article, we explore the many different ways you can give to nonprofits, ranging from traditional donations to creative options like shopping for a cause or donating retirement funds.
Nonprofit Online Giving
One of the most popular ways to support a charity is through nonprofit online giving. With the rise of digital platforms, donating to charity has never been more accessible. Platforms like GoFundMe, JustGiving, and Facebook fundraising allow individuals to donate directly to a cause with just a few clicks.
Many nonprofits now offer online donation options on their websites. Whether it’s a one-time charity donation or setting up a monthly gift, online giving makes it easy to support organizations like the Sea Otter Foundation Trust (SOFT), which relies on charitable donations to fund our critical conservation work. By setting up recurring payments, you can ensure that your donation continues to support your chosen cause long-term.
Products That Give Back to Charity
If you’re looking for ways to support nonprofits while you shop, consider purchasing products that give back to charity. Companies are increasingly offering products where a portion of the proceeds goes to a good cause. Whether it’s purchasing fair-trade coffee, buying apparel from brands that donate part of their profits, or selecting beauty products linked to charity, your shopping habits can make a difference.
For example, buying products that give to charity, like TOMS, which donates shoes with every purchase, or utilizing platforms like Amazon Lists allows you to donate to charity without changing your purchasing behavior. Additionally, using cashback programs like Rakuten or credit card cashback rewards can also benefit nonprofit organizations when you choose to donate money to charity.
Employee Giving Programs
Many companies have employee giving programs that make it easier for workers to contribute to causes they care about. Employee giving platforms, such as Benevity, America Online Giving, and Mightycause, offer employees the option to donate a portion of their paycheck or make one-time contributions to nonprofits of their choice. These programs often include matching gift opportunities, meaning that companies will match their employees’ contributions, effectively doubling the donation.
By participating in such programs, employees can easily give to a charity they believe in, often without much effort. Additionally, matching gifts can significantly increase the impact of your charity donations. This makes it one of the most efficient ways to give to charity.
Qualified Charitable Distributions (QCDs)
A Qualified Charitable Distribution (QCD) is a fantastic option for those who are 70½ years or older and want to make a donation directly from their IRA. By utilizing a QCD, you can donate money to charity without the donation counting as taxable income. This is particularly beneficial if you’re required to take required minimum distributions (RMDs) from your IRA. Instead of taking the RMD as income, you can have the distribution sent directly to the charity of your choice, making it an efficient way to donate to charity while reducing your taxable income.
QCDs are not only tax-efficient but also allow you to support causes you care about, such as sea otter conservation. Donating to sea otter conservation through a QCD would help fund ongoing research and conservation projects, all while saving you money on taxes
Retirement Account Contributions via Your Broker
Similar to QCDs, you can also designate charitable contributions directly from your retirement accounts. Many brokerage firms, such as Fidelity Charitable or Schwab Charitable, allow you to direct donations from your account to a nonprofit organization. These types of donations are similar to QCDs but offer more flexibility when it comes to the types of retirement accounts you can use.
By using your broker to make these donations, you can streamline your charitable giving and potentially avoid paying capital gains taxes on the donated securities. This can be an incredibly efficient way to donate money to charity if you have investments in your retirement accounts that have appreciated over time.
Another option like QCDs and Retirement Account Distributions is Thrivent Financial’s Choice Dollar program. This program allows members to direct a portion of Thrivent’s charitable funds to a nonprofit organization of their choice — like SOFT — at no cost to the individual. This program is available to financial investment and life insurance customers, making it an easy way to give back while Thrivent serves as the donor.
Charity Giving via Your Credit Card
Using your credit card to donate to charity is a simple and convenient way to make a difference. Many credit card providers offer programs that allow you to round up your purchases and donate the change to a nonprofit organization. For example, if your purchase costs $4.75, your card may round up to $5.00, and the extra $0.25 would go to your selected charity. This is a low-effort way to continually support causes, and over time, those small amounts can add up to significant donations.
Additionally, some credit cards offer rewards programs that let you redeem points for charitable donations, making it another creative option for giving money to charity while earning rewards for yourself.
Giving Through Shopping Platforms
Many retailers have incorporated giving to charity as part of their business model. Amazon Lists allows customers to see what a certain organization needs and buy it for them directly from Amazon. Similarly, Kroger Community Rewards allows shoppers to support nonprofits like SOFT at no additional cost by simply registering your shopper card and designating the charity of your choice. Then, the initiative automatically donates a portion of the purchases to SOFT, making it an easy way to give back while shopping. Feel free to contact us for more information on how to designate Sea Otter Foundation & Trust as your charity on your Kroger shopper card. Shopping through these platforms allows you to give directly to charity while continuing your everyday activities.
Crowdfunding and Peer-to-Peer Fundraising
Crowdfunding has become a popular way to raise money for specific projects or causes. Platforms like Kickstarter, GoFundMe, and DonorBox allow individuals to create campaigns and raise funds for charities or personal projects. If you have a passion for a specific cause, such as supporting sea otter conservation or building affordable housing, you can create a fundraising campaign and invite others to donate to charity.
Peer-to-peer fundraising is a powerful tool, as it leverages your social network to spread awareness and gather donations. By sharing your campaign with friends and family, you can raise funds that directly support your chosen cause.
Volunteering Your Time
If you’re not in a position to donate money to charity, consider donating your time. Many nonprofit organizations rely on volunteers to carry out their missions. Whether it’s serving meals at a shelter, helping with event planning, or offering professional services like legal or marketing expertise, volunteering can make a big difference. In addition to benefitting the nonprofit, volunteering can be a rewarding experience that allows you to directly see the impact of your efforts.
From nonprofit planned giving to nonprofit online giving, there are numerous ways to support charitable organizations. Whether you choose to donate money to charity, purchase products that give back to charity, or volunteer your time, your contributions can make a significant impact. Consider the tax benefits of options like QCDs or retirement account donations, or make your everyday shopping work for you by using cashback or shopping platforms that benefit charities. Whatever method you choose, your support helps nonprofits continue their important work.
At SOFT, we work to ensure the survival and recovery of sea otters in their habitats by building funds to support research, conservation, and education. You can learn more about the all-important efforts of our grant recipients by watching our interviews with them. These efforts are funded directly by our supporters, so consider advancing our crucial work by adopting an otter or making a donation today!