We seem to go from one significant global emergency to another. This was the year the world seemed to get past the pandemic fully, and now the world watches the Israeli war against Hamas. The fact is that something has been happening in the nonprofit sector. Fewer donors are giving to nonprofits. So, how can you continue to donate to charity when it seems that the world’s on fire and needs so much support?
For starters, it’s essential to realize that fewer people donate to charity. There are a variety of reasons for it, including donor fatigue. The world is also dealing with the Ukrainian war, and there’s a perception that there’s fatigue from governments and their populations to continue to support the cause. This may be exacerbated by the fact that war has broken out in the Middle East. In short, people are tired of war—just as they were with the pandemic.
So, how can philanthropically minded people continue to support a good cause when they’re tired of the global mess? How can we all keep perspective and help people who suffer and need our support? I have some ideas to share.
1. Self-reflection and values.
For starters, it’s crucial to align values with philanthropic giving priorities. Most people work very hard for their money. So, while they want to donate to charity, they want to make sure that the funds get used to improve matters. Therefore, it’s essential to be clear about what causes and issues most. Some people care first and foremost about the environment. Others about healthcare, education, or poverty. Philanthropists need to consider their values in giving.
2. Choosing an ongoing cause to support.
We live in a world that’s complex and continually changing. There will be ongoing crises around the world. In my view, with the ongoing support of a cause, it’s essential to know that the executive director and leaders are innovating and creating a path forward. In other words, they need to know how to make a measurable and meaningful impact. When there’s confidence in a cause, that support continues, and with anything extra, you could support a global emergency.
3. Assess immediate needs to donate to charity.
Some crises require our immediate attention. You could say that about Ukraine and the situation in Gaza when the lives of children, especially, are on the line. So, when considering what cause to support, donors should think if they want to support relief organizations like UNICEF. Alternatively, they could continue to support their local nonprofits and keep funds set aside for when a global emergency strikes.
4. Supporting organizations that keep an eye on long-term solutions.
One of the things that I believe in our social enterprise work related to shoe drive fundraising is keeping an eye on the long term. For instance, in our work, we support schools and nonprofits in getting paid to collect shoes. That, in turn, helps us support the planet. But we do more. We partner with over 4,000 micro-entrepreneurs worldwide, seeking sustainable solutions to earn a living. Keeping an eye on the long-term is vital for nonprofit causes.
5. Strategic giving to a nonprofit cause.
Effective nonprofit is about being strategic. There are plenty of great causes worldwide and also in our local towns. But how do you know who’s doing a great job and making an impact? Fortunately, there are excellent resources to help donors. Sites like Charity Navigator and Give Well help donors make informed decisions about giving. With just a few minutes, donors know if they’re supporting a quality cause and making a meaningful difference.
6. Diversifying donations.
Another method of donating to charity is to diversify. Donors can consider not putting all their eggs in one basket. An approach to support causes is to do it as a family. This approach teaches young children about philanthropy. So, a philanthropic family can talk about their priorities. Once they’re clear about the causes, they could do research and make smaller monthly donations to several donations. And they could include an emergency or relief organization.
7. Engage in hands-on volunteer work.
Finally, it’s important to remember that supporting a good cause doesn’t always involve financial donations. Volunteering makes a difference as well. Moreover, when people volunteer their time, they gain a much deeper insight and understanding of an issue. The fact is that when you see it with your own eyes, you learn so much more from the experience. So, we always have to remember that giving also includes giving of our volunteer time.
Donating to charity requires careful consideration.
As I stated at the outset, we live in complex times. Unfortunately, we haven’t gotten past wars and the toll they take on innocent people. That said, we shouldn’t give up and get too weary. We should simply reconsider how to give meaningfully. And when we do that, we will most certainly make an impact. Our intentions, combined with hundreds of thousands and millions of others worldwide, will make a difference to someone. And that matters.
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