Ways to Donate to Charities
Once you know which options are open to you, the decision to donate to your favorite charity is not likely to be difficult. There are various ways to make your donation, so you may choose one that suits your budget and lifestyle. You may donate money, clothing or time, depending on which resource you can spare. If you are donating for the purpose of a tax deduction, consider donating stock to your favorite charity.
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Time
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Donate your time to a charity by volunteering your services. You may help serve food to the homeless at your local soup kitchen, help build or restore a home with your local chapter of Habitat for Humanity or mentor a child through Big Brothers Big Sisters of America. Methods of donating time will vary depending on the organization you choose. Contact your charity of choice or visit their website for more information on how you can donate your time. If you're having trouble choosing a charity, visit the Volunteer Match website to find opportunities in your area.
Goods
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Items that you no longer need can be donated to those in need. A sweater from last season may be of no use to you, but it can provide warmth to a homeless woman on the verge of freezing. Similarly, you can donate unwanted food, old computers and even non-working vehicles. In some cases, the item you've donated can directly help someone in need. In other cases, it may be auctioned or sold to help the charity. Goodwill Industries International accepts donations in the form of clothing, household goods and electronics. Melwood helps coordinate vehicle donations for charities such as Meals on Wheels Association of America, American Red Cross and Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Many other charities will accept donations of various goods. Contact your charity of choice for more information.
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Money
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Many charitable organizations rely on monetary donations to fund projects. While monetary donations can carry the benefit of being tax deductible, they may leave you wondering exactly where your money is going. Before making a donation, conduct research on Charity Navigator's website to find out more about a charity and how it spends its funds. Once you have decided on a charity, call or visit their website for instructions on how to make your donation.
Stocks
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If you own a stock that has appreciated, your profits could be subject to federal and state taxation. One way to avoid such taxation is to donate your appreciated stock to charity. The charity will receive the full value of your stock, and you will be allowed to deduct the entire amount on your taxes. Discuss this donation method with a tax adviser, and contact your charity of choice for more information on how to begin the donation process.
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References
Resources
- Habitat for Humanity: Find Local Affiliates, Volunteer Opportunities, News, Events
- Big Brothers Big Sisters: Volunteer to Start Something
- Volunteer Match: Find a Place to Volunteer
- Goodwill Industries International, Inc.: Goodwill Locator
- Melwood: Charity Car Donation Center
- Charity Navigator: Find a Charity You Can Trust
