Is cash really the best thing to donate? How used can my used clothes be? Exactly how do I get a tax write-off for this? If you’ve ever considered donating to a charity, you have most likely gone through a thought process similar to this.
Gabriel Jingga/THUNDERWORD
Before we can get into the specifics, let’s start with the first question you will encounter: Which charity do I pick? Are there bad ones?
In short, yes. There are bad charities, and it does matter which one you pick.
Donations to charities nationwide may be a massive cash flow, $499 billion in 2022, but it has decreased since the global pandemic in 2020 inspired millions of people working paycheck to paycheck to give to worthy causes. So why has the giving dissipated?
As the global response to COVID-19 has waned and people seem to be returning to their normal lives, it feels as though the attitude towards donating has since become tainted. Some people may not give because they don’t trust the organization or its leaders to use their resources responsibly, or think that they’re downright evil.
Worthy and noble causes like Black Lives Matter experienced their own scandal when Shalomyah Bowers allegedly put $10 million into his own “personal piggy bank”. Other seemingly innocent names like “Cancer Fund of America” and “Children’s Wish Foundation International” found themselves on lists of the United State’s worst charities.
So is the answer then to not give? No, of course not. As with any cause, we must be educated and exact in our intentions. Swindlers and schemers have always existed, and it is a worthwhile and reasonable task to put in a few minutes of research to make sure your donations are going to the right spot.
So the best way to donate starts with who your donation goes to. Use trusted resources online to vet your choice of charity, or even take the time to visit the place in person, using this as an opportunity to give your time and effort to the cause.
Risk will always exist, so do your research and get to know your cause. After finding your charity, you’ll realize the easiest part is ahead of you: giving!
If you have a marketable skill and spare time, look for ways that you can serve people in need. If you have a working vehicle, you can make grocery trips for those unable to leave their homes.
If you have an excess of quality food, visit your local food bank and see if they can accept your donations.
If you have an excess of time, give a few hours of your week to a local charity that may need help taking out the trash. Is it small? Sure. Does it need to be a grand gesture to have impact? Not even a little bit.
Local food pantries and nonprofits often have guides on their websites categorizing their most urgent needs. Be it food, diapers, or hygiene products, if an entire community gives a little, the outcome can be wildly positive.
There’s hardly a perfect way to give, and it is important to know that you won’t single-handedly solve any problems on your own, so keep in mind that the best way to give is simply this: whichever way you can.
If you’re reading this, you’re likely living in the Des Moines area, so consider starting your search locally and see how far you can go.