The ways to give to charity at this time of year grow in significance because they sit alongside the spend, spend, spend needs of the holiday season. Many of us would love to be able to donate money to charity but we often struggle to find any spare money that we can part with and end up feeling guilty that we can't contribute towards many of the great causes out there. However, making a difference doesn't always have to be in the form of donating money, there are many other ways to give to charity that you can be part of. Check out our tips to see how you can make a difference today.
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1. Volunteer
One of the best ways to give to charity is by volunteering your services. There is always a need for an extra pair of hands in the office or to help out at fundraising events. If you have a particular talent such as writing or designing, then why not offer your assistance to help compile their latest newsletter or to produce flyers for any events that they have coming up? Even if you can only spare an hour a week, the contribution of your time and services can make such a positive difference. Many people think that donating to charity is all about giving money when in fact, at times, volunteering your help can be far more beneficial to a charity.
2. Have a Clear out
One of the most beneficial ways to help a charity is to donate your old and unwanted items. By having a sort out, you’ll be sure to find many items that you no longer require and that will be of use for somebody else. If you’d rather sell the items yourself, then why not try donating the proceeds of the sale to charity instead of keeping the money for yourself?
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3. Help out at Charity Events
What better way to donate to charity than to help out at one of their fundraising events? If you find a charity that you are personally interested in, whether it’s a sport, children’s or arts charity, you’ll be able to offer hands on help and also represent a cause that is important to you. Many charities hold fundraising days around the festive period, as this is such a crucial time to raise money and awareness of the work that they do. Why not try to find a charity Christmas fun day and take your children along, so that the whole family can contribute to charity.
4. Give to Charity as You Spend
If you find that you don’t have any spare cash and rely upon your credit card for your Christmas presents, then using a credit card linked to a charity would be a great option for you. Every time that you use your credit card you will be donating money, usually to a charity of your choice, whilst you buy gifts for your loved ones. This is one of the best alternative ways to give to charity.
5. Christmas Cards
Sending cards at Christmas time is a very popular tradition. By buying charity cards, you can give something back. It is a good way to support great causes and offer a great idea of how you can be helping charities at this time of year, whilst sending seasons greetings to your family and friends.
6. Make It a Social Occasion
Making a contribution to charity is a very rewarding thing to do, so why not be part of it? Instead of going out for a Christmas meal with your friends or family at your usual restaurant, try buying tickets for a charity dinner instead. You’ll be able to enjoy yourself with a good catch up and a great meal, but all for a worthy cause. Other social events, such as a charity fitness fun days, are always popular too. You can participate in the activities and help to raise money for them. By attending a charity event, it is a wonderful way to acknowledge and show your support in the work that they do.
7. Tax Relief
In the US, you can claim tax relief on your charitable donations as long as they meet the conditions as specified by the IRS. You can learn more about the tax rules here: irs.gov. In the UK, Gift Aid is a fantastic way for taxpayers to be able to donate to charity. It works by the charity being able to reclaim the tax rate that you have paid on the donation that you made to them. Meaning that for every £1 you have given, it works out as £1.20 for the charity. All you need to do is sign a Gift Aid declaration.
8. Donate Directly from Your Salary
If there is a payroll giving scheme at your work, you can sign up to have money taken directly out of your pay before it is taxed. This money will then be donated to the charity of your choice. This is a simple, yet very effective way of supporting a good cause.
You can be creative in the ways to give to charity – every contribution is always welcomed and gratefully received, and you might be surprised by just how much a difference you can make. Do you have a favorite charity or are you a regular contributor?
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