Charity begins at home, as the old saying goes. But if your ambition to help those in need extends further than your own family, then you might be wondering just how to fulfil that intention.
By donating money, of course, we hear you sigh. Sure, but if we succumbed to your protestations, then we wouldn’t have much of an article to write, now would we?
If there’s a cause close to your heart, then you might feel compelled to support it. Charities, by definition, rely on the kindness and generosity of the general public to do their work, but if you don’t currently have the financial means to be generous in the traditional sense, then worry not; there are plenty of other ways you can help charities that don’t involve donating money. Here are just 4 of them.
Volunteer
Charities need money, sure, but they also need people. So, one of the best ways to help a charity is by donating your time. You might commit to a charity run, donate blood to help those in need, or volunteer in a high street charity shop, for a soup kitchen or at a beach clean-up.
Doing so can be incredibly gratifying, and is, of course, hugely welcome by various charitable foundations.
If you’re keen to incorporate an adventure into that generosity of spirit of yours, then check out this guide on the best volunteering destinations abroad for summer 2022.
Offer Your Expertise
If you have a particular area of expertise that you think would be useful to a charity, then lending your knowledge can be a wonderful way to help a charity without donating money.
Charities need all manner of expertise in areas associated with both altruism and business acumen. For instance, they might need to bring in specialised charity law firms, digital and traditional marketing agencies, website designers, content writers, and many more roles besides. Rather than a charity having to use donations to hire people for such roles, many are fulfilled through the generosity of volunteers.
Spread The Word
Hey, we’d all like to claim that the money we donate to charity is purely, quietly altruistic, but there’s no harm in spreading the word about giving charitably, as this will encourage friends and family to follow suit. Share charitable activities you’re engaged on social media for the furthest reach, post photos of events, and links to matters particularly close to your heart.
Raising awareness about a given issue, even if you haven’t personally donated to it, can make a difference, too. For example, you might talk to your friends about your chosen cause. Or, you may share posts on social media to shine a light on the causes and charities that matter to you. Doing so helps spread the word about the good work such charities are doing, hopefully eliciting more donations, both of time and money, in the process.
Involve Your Workplace
There’s a growing body of evidence suggesting that getting your workplace involved in a charitable cause can be great for workplace morale. If you’re performing a job that isn’t inherently rewarding, then the idea that you’re helping those in need can be a powerful motivator.
A survey by the Charities Aid Foundation found that 57% of respondents agreed that charitable giving helped to improve workplace morale. Moreover, half of the respondents agreed that all businesses had a moral responsibility to support charities.
Some ways you can involve your workplace in charity include:
- Setting up a donation jar, whether that’s physical or digital
- Organising a sponsored team outing, event or competition
- Ask your colleagues or the company you work for to donate their expertise
- Suggest the company you work for donate their office space
- Nurture a company culture of volunteering
Donate Your Birthday
When your birthday next rolls into view, ask yourself if you really need another pair of novelty socks or an Apple Store voucher.
Instead, an increasingly popular way to help charities without donating your own money is to donate your birthday, asking friends and family to give the value of the gift they were intending to buy you to your chosen charitable cause. This can be a simple, annual way to behave more altruistically, which is why you’re here, right?
