This post is by our regular contributor, Kristi.
Choosing an organization to donate to can feel overwhelming, if not impossible.
Especially with the holidays coming up, many people feel the need to reach out to their communities and donate to an organization in some way.
It’s hard to choose an organization though, when it feels like you may not be able to protect yourself from online charity scams.
Even if you find a perfect, reputable charity to donate to, you may be facing the conundrum of deciding whether or not to donate when you still have debt.
Donating money is obviously valuable to charities, but money is not our only commodity that we can help with. Time is money after all, and we can freely give our time and talents to give back, instead of writing a check.
If you are wary of donating to organizations online or if you have debt but still want to help, check out these 12 ideas for ways to give back that don’t involve money.
1) Become a tutor
Tutoring underprivileged youth will give you the chance to help at a one-on-one level with kids in need. If you’re concerned about time commitments, consider tutoring for an organization like Learn to Be that lets you tutor completely online. Your help could be the difference between a student dropping out of high school or deciding to go to college.
2) Make something to donate
Do you love knitting or crocheting? Use up some of that stockpiled yarn in your home and make some scarves to give to the homeless this winter. If you love to sew and have piles of scraps, why not make some rag quilts to donate to the nearest homeless shelter. Especially in the winter time, they usually need more blankets for the residents.
3) Coach a school team
Are you an excellent soccer player or have a love for baseball? Contact the local schools to see if they have a need for a volunteer coach. You could also reach out to the local parks and recreation. You’re involvement could even lead to a child getting a scholarship to college someday.
4) Serve in a soup kitchen
Nothing makes you appreciate all that you have quite like serving food to others that are less fortunate. Offer your time and energy to give back by signing up through Feeding America. Help your nearest food pantry or soup kitchen, and get started making a difference in the daily lives of others today.
5) Lend your construction skills
If you have DIY skills and construction know-how, donate your time to help build a home through Habitat for Humanity. It is an amazing organization, and your time spent building will be immensely rewarding. Helping to build homes for Habitat for Humanity is my favorite way to give back to the community.
6) Volunteer at the animal shelter
The local animal shelters are always inundated with work because of the high volume of animals that pass through their doors. Sign up as a volunteer to help bathe or walk the animals. Volunteer to clean out cages, supply fresh food and water, or launder the bedding. Even volunteering just one day a month is really beneficial to these overworked animal organizations.
7) Donate used items
There are many different organizations that accept your used clothes and household items to sell as a way to earn money for their charity. Purple Heart is a great organization that will even come directly to your home to pick up your donation. By donating your used items, you’ll be cleaning out your closets as well as helping others in need. Win-win.
8) Join the Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
Become a mentor for a child or youth who may not have very many positive influences in their life. By volunteering to become a big brother or big sister, you will become the positive influence that these young children need to help keep themselves on the right track in life.
9) Take a meal to someone home-bound
Call around to the local places of worship or hospice care workers and ask if they know of anyone that is home-bound that could benefit from a home-made meal and an hour of companionship. Every community has elderly that are completely cut off from the world and have no one to talk to. You could change their life by becoming a companion.
10) Get sponsored for a charity race
Raise money for a charity by running in a race or participating in a charity event where others sponsor you. Charity events are a fun way to raise money for an organization by only giving of your time and efforts. Especially if you are struggling with the debt or donate debate, charity races are a great compromise.
11) Donate blood
Did you know that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood? “More than 41,000 blood donations are needed every day,” according to the American Red Cross website.
The American Red Cross is always looking for new and repeat blood donors. By donating a pint of blood, you could be saving as many as three lives.
12) Help write resumes
Are you really great at writing and have a knack for building an awesome resume? Offer your help to the residents of your local homeless shelter. Help your community members get back on their feet by giving them an edge to compete in the job market.
Utilize your talents
These are just twelve ways to give back without donating money, but there are endless opportunities to help others. Just utilize your talents for the good of the community.
Whenever you decide to start interacting with organizations, do your research first. Use Charity Navigator to help determine if the organization you want to help is worth your time and effort, and always be wary of online organizations, especially if you have never heard of them before.
You don’t have to donate money in order to help people. Sometimes the most good will come from simply being there, offering a hand, serving a meal, or having a conversation. Don’t let a low budget or high debts prevent you from going out and making a difference, especially if that is how you feel called to spend your time.
How do you like to give back to your community? Do you donate your time, your money, or a little bit of both?
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I have used Charity Navigator before and it’s a wealth of information. I hadn’t heard of Feeding America but I’m considering signing up to help where I can. I’ve volunteered consistently for non-profit organizations in the past and it’s an incredibly gratifying experience. Enjoyed the post.
Laura Beth
Laura Beth @ How To Get Rich Slowly I agree, volunteering for non-profits is incredibly gratifying. I hope you do sign up, Laura Beth! There are so many great food pantries and soup kitchens that desperately need the help. The best place to start helping is in our backyards.
These are great ideas Kristi! We’ve done a handful of them in our family over the years, especially as a few of our kids have gotten older as it allows us to include them. Most times we’ve found many organizations have a need for time as well as money so we’ll do either.
FrugalRules Thanks, John! It’s great that you’re getting your kids involved! Once my daughter is old enough, I would love to start taking her with me to help serve food at the local homeless shelter. I love getting involved in charity work with both my time and money, when possible.
Every nonprofit needs money to operate effectively, but consistently giving time is often even better. Spending time with people who are on the fringes of society shows them that they are valuable and can make a difference on everyone involved.
Hannah UnplannedFinance I agree, Hannah. Money helps the cogs to turn, but human interaction is what makes any organization truly able to succeed in helping people.
I know money is essential to run/manage any organization but private time is more valuable. I also feel better when I can help person/people that I know than donate some charitable organization which is unknown to me.
Regards,
Michal
In the winter, I crochet scarves. This is purely self-interest, since it keeps me from snacking/biting my nails. But then I donate them to a shelter. They’re oddly shaped because I’m not the best crocheter, but they’re just as warm as properly crocheted ones. And I choose pretty colors of Lion’s Brand Yarn, which is a little softer than the cheapest brands. So it’s probably fine.
I’ve donated items before in the past. I feel as though I can do more. There are some very good suggestions in this list.
I love volunteering at animal shelters! I get to help out and also get my animal fix! :)