Giving to others is certainly fulfilling and a reward in itself. Many people want to be givers, but simply don’t know where to start when researching which charity would be the perfect fit. There are a number of components to consider to make sure that the charity that choose is something you can really connect with and will enjoy being a part of. There should be some thought given to which charity you will be involved with as it will make the process more rewarding and increase the likeliness that you participate in giving for years to come.
Do Your Research
There are a number of charities to choose from. In fact, there are so many that it can be overwhelming at first glance. However, there are a number of online websites such as GuideStar that can help narrow down what you are looking for. Using websites such as this will help you hone in on each nonprofit’s mission statement and what they need as far as funding or volunteer time. This can also help you rule out the groups that you simply are not compatible with as well. A great way to start is to consider what type of topic you are interested in.
Some popular topics are:
- Education;
- Poverty;
- Children;
- Animal refuge; and
- Medical research.
Simply focusing on a single topic will greatly narrow down the options and make the process a little more manageable. However, this is certainly just the first step. There is much more consider alongside which topic is closest to your heart.
Make Connections
Once you have narrowed down the top five charities that you may be interested in, it is now time to make it a little more personal. Don’t be afraid to reach out to the organizations for a quick chat. This is a great opportunity to ask them where they see the charity in the next five or ten years. You may ask about future projects or even how they have compared in previous years in regards to reaching goals. Many people like to know how much of the money you donate will be used directly for the mission statement. Remember, most charities do have overhead costs and it will be up to you to determine how much is too much when it comes to the allocation of donations to those fees. This approach allows you the opportunity to hear directly from the source what the organization is all about and the good they have been doing. Not every philanthropic group receives public attention, so some really great groups can easily be overlooked if you simply rely on social media or other news sources for information.
Choose with Passion
In the end, the charity you choose should matter to you. Think about what you are passionate about. Usually, the things that matter most to you will also be the most fulfilling when it comes to making financial or volunteer contributions. Ultimately, choosing the right charity should be something that just feels right and you are proud to be involved with.
