The need for generous people is at an all-time high right now. The pandemic has created economic and health care challenges that continue to stretch our resources. But how does all of this affect how we give charitably? We’ve highlighted our top 4 tips for giving during a pandemic.
Millions of people are out of work, struggling to pay their bills and feed their families. Social justice movements have shined a light on problems we'll all need to work together to solve.
With so many people in need of support, it can be challenging to figure out how to do the most good. These tips will help you rethink your giving strategy at a unique moment when every donated dollar really does matter.
1. Work to select organizations that you know and trust.
Social media has made it easier than ever to raise awareness about causes that need help. Many goodhearted people try to get involved directly by starting their own crowdfunding campaigns on sites like GoFundMe.
Unfortunately, donating to these campaigns is often an inefficient use of your money. Crowdfunding isn't subject to the same oversight as, say, the Red Cross. It can be difficult to verify that your money reaches its intended target. And scammers always love to prey on people's best intentions during a crisis.
Unless you know the organizer of a crowdfunding campaign personally, it's best to stick with well-established nonprofits and charitable organizations. For extra security, you can check with watchdogs like the Better Business Bureau's Wise Giving Alliance to vet groups before you send money.
2. Research more to understand how your donation will be used.
When you donate to a large charity, a portion of that money could fund operational overhead like salaries and advertising. Some givers are disappointed when they find out that their money is helping an organization pay bills rather than directly helping a person in need.
If seeing your money in action is part of your giving goal, you might feel better donating to organizations in your community, such as churches, shelters, or a local nonprofit. In addition to direct giving, you could also make an extra effort to support local businesses. It's easy to see where the money you spend on carryout from your favorite restaurant goes: you get a burger, and the restaurant hopefully stays open.
3. Try to just focus your generosity.
The variety of problems we're dealing with right now can make it difficult to decide how to give. And "decide" is an important word because you can't donate to every single cause. Many long-term financial plans get thrown off course by short-term charitable impulses. Retirees living on a fixed income need to be especially careful that they don't break their nest eggs trying to give too much.
Remember: your basic needs come first. If helping a charitable cause puts your finances in jeopardy, who is going to help you?
One way to bring your giving down to size is to start local. Large national nonprofits and charitable organizations have established donor networks they can tap during crises. Restaurants and food banks in your community probably don't. You can't solve a big problem overnight by writing a big check. But you can make a difference in someone's life tomorrow that could lead to positive change over time.
4. Be open to, and consider alternative ways to contribute.
Most experts expect levels of charitable giving to hold steady or slightly increase throughout the rest of the year. Volunteering, however, is likely to decrease significantly due to social distancing and other public health policies surrounding the pandemic.
As valuable as your money is, your gifts and professional skills might be even more valuable right now. Volunteering as a remote tutor, graphic designer, or virtual office administrator could help an important cause keep its gears turning when your community needs its support the most.
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