Ways to give (that aren’t money).

There are a million ways to support a cause you feel passionate about. Obviously you can donate cash or show up and volunteer, but there are so many other meaningful ways to contribute to your favorite non profit organization. Here are a few of our favorites:

Joining a board–One great way to contribute is to join the board of a nonprofit. Contact the Executive Director to learn more about duties of a board member and the selection process. They may put you in contact with the Board President or someone on their committee assigned to nominate new members. Some charities have elections at their annual meetings, while others add people year round. Participating in a board is also a great networking opportunity.

Sponsoring events-There are so many amazing local events for charity, the list of opportunities is endless. BONUS: if the event prints your name in an ad or puts your name on a table or anything like that, you can count it as an advertising expense, and leave more room in that $300 limit the IRS puts on charitable donations.

Donating products / Silent Auction- If you own a retail business, you can donate product for use, giveaway or silent auction. Alternatively, you can donate gift cards for these purposes.

Fundraising-A fundraiser can be as simple as a coffee can by the register, to a full blown event. Giving is supposed to be fun, so start small to get a feel for what you can manage and go up from there.

Donate space for fundraising-Contact your favorite local non-profit and volunteer your space for a fundraising event, board meeting or other use of their choice

Raising awareness-You may not have a physical space to lend to your favorite cause, but you definitely have a digital one! Use your website, social media, and newsletters to spread awareness and get support for your favorite causes.

What unique ways have you chosen to support your favorite cause? What methods have felt the most meaningful to you or gave you the most satisfaction? Let us know in the comments!

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