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It Doesn’t Take Much: How to Support Your Local Non-Profit Organization

Amid the pandemic and the current economic uncertainty, this is a time to be fiscally cautious for many people. Some are finding themselves completely out of work due to layoffs.

Some have had their hours cut or been placed on furlough and are not sure when they’ll be able to gain back their job status and accompanying income. Many business owners have seen customer traffic diminish or even disappear. Concerned individuals are warily watching their IRAs or retirement savings shrink.

Whatever the reason, many people want to continue supporting their favorite nonprofit organization or charity, but they are not confident in their ability to donate in the same way as in the past. Despite the current economic challenges, there is good news — you can still offer valuable contributions to support your local nonprofit organization.

Nonprofits still rely on generated income to continue serving those who need assistance. The homeless, hungry, and those facing difficult circumstances still require help – maybe now, more than ever.

Even in these difficult days, we at Caring Network continue our mission to reach the vulnerable and serve women facing an unplanned pregnancy. We are a faith-based pro-life organization dedicated to saving the lives of unborn babies and providing hope to mothers in need. Adapting our services to protect our staff and keep the women we help stay safe during the pandemic, we have continued to come alongside those in need by providing both remote and in-clinic assistance. There are many opportunities to help – reach out for ways you can join in our life-saving work!

It Doesn’t Take Much: How To Support Your Local Nonprofit Organization

But how, when your means are more limited, can you still support the cause of your local nonprofit organization? Here are a few creative ways to continue supporting your favorite organizations and spend little to no money.

1. PARTICIPATE IN EVENTS

Most nonprofit organizations are still hosting fundraisers, drives, and offering community service opportunities. Even though many fundraisers are now “virtual” or held with attendance and spacing limitations, they still exist. These events require the skill of organizers and helpers to happen, and you can participate by offering your skills and time to organize these events in your community or at your church.

You can get creative and organize a diaper and materials goods drive for new moms. Gather some friends and conduct a mini fundraising walk by charging a nominal fee per mile, raising a few dollars, or collecting canned goods, and drop them off at your local food bank.

2. VOLUNTEER YOUR TIME/TALENTS

Having enough people to carry out the mission is a precious commodity for most charitable organizations. Ongoing, daily operations cannot be successful without generous people offering their time and talents. There is no charge for you to donate your time – and your local nonprofit would welcome and appreciate that gift.

Ideas to share your time and talents include:

  • Offer to use your vehicle and run errands or drive older adults to the doctor, the hairdresser, or the store. Many older folks are reluctant to use public transportation or go to a store to protect themselves during the pandemic. You can offer to pick up groceries, get prescriptions, and do other errands they cannot do.
  • Do you play an instrument? Have a beautiful voice? Your neighborhood nursing home needs you. Play your guitar or sing in the courtyard where residents can listen at a safe distance. If they don’t allow visitors, inquire about arranging it over the internet. Music helps transport people from their current circumstances to a lighter, gentler place. It brings back memories of easier times and is uplifting and brings welcomed joy.
  • Foster a pet. Hospitalizations are on the rise. Domestic violence shelters are at capacity, and people are worried about family members we often overlook — their pets. Who will care for their beloved companions while they are recovering from COVID-19 or establishing permanent housing? Giving their pet a loving temporary home can feel like a life-line and remove a heavy burden for those recovering from difficult circumstances.

3. MONTHLY GIVING

Any amount of monthly giving makes a difference! Sometimes, we fall into all or nothing thinking and believe that if we can’t donate a more considerable amount, it’s better not to donate at all. But, a donation doesn’t have to contain multiple zeros to have value. Small contributions add up and can be the difference between offering a free consultation to a client and having to turn someone away. What you might consider being a small donation can make a significant change in someone’s life.  Check out Caring Network’s What Does it Cost to Save a Life to see concrete ways differing levels of donation can help.

4. RAISE AWARENESS

Are you on social media? It’s no secret that social media use can negatively impact mental health. Yet, it can also be uplifting for others on social media to see the positive difference charitable organizations are making in the world.

Knowing that, consider influencing others positively while raising awareness about the nonprofit organizations you care about using your FacebookInstagramTwitter, and other social media outlets.

With social media, you can easily share all the good news happening within the organizations you believe in with your friends and family. Your post may raise awareness and inspire others to care about the causes you care about, which increases the ability of an organization to fulfill its mission exponentially.

You don’t have to be wealthy to support your favorite local nonprofit. In fact, the personal touch of time, talent, or verbal support can often go even further than a straight-up financial contribution. God gave us all a multitude of gifts. Using them in new or different ways to benefit those who need help will make us all feel great about our contributions, no matter the size.

If you would like to learn more about how you can use your time, gifts, or talents to help fulfill the mission and vision of Caring Network, check out our Get Involved page today!

“Each of you should give what you have decided in your heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to bless you abundantly, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:6-8

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