Giving to charity certainly doesn’t mean donating a hefty amount of money. Giving doesn’t necessarily require big bills or checks. All you need to have is a big heart and knowledge about different ways to give to a charity. Here are some effective ways of giving to a charity.

Let’s divide giving to a charity into two categories:

1) Monetary Contributions

2) Other Ways of Giving

The Meaning of monetary giving

Giving that involves donating money to a charity or other organization through cash, checks, credit cards, payments, and marketable securities is known as monetary giving. You may contribute a part of your monthly salary or annual income, a part of your savings, or your family fortune to a charity.

There are different ways in which you can give money to a charity. Here are five ways to give to a charity.

5 ways to give money to a charity

DONATE USING YOUR FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

One of the most common ways of philanthropy is giving via your financial instruments. This may include your check books, credit cards, debit cards, or simply using a challan to transfer the amount via your bank account. This is believed to be one of the easiest and safest ways of donating, especially in the case of a substantial amount.

DONATION OF TAX REFUNDS

You can spend your tax refund on a charitable cause instead of making a purchase out of it. Even if you donate a part of your refund, the money can go a long way towards helping others. If you get a tax refund next year, consider donating a part or all of it. Some of your donations may even be tax deductible for the year after.

DONOR ADVISED FUNDS

Donor advised funds are simple, affordable, and accessible alternatives to private foundations. These are basically charitable giving accounts provided by a sponsoring organization. All you need to do is put your money in, let the sponsoring organization manage it, and donate to the cause of your choice. Also known as DFAs, this is one of the most popular and fastest growing modes of giving money to charity.

PAYROLL CONTRIBUTION PLAN

If your employer offers you a payroll giving scheme like CAF Give As You Earn, you can simply donate to the cause chosen by your employer with your pre-tax salary. This will provide you with full income tax relief. A part of your salary would be deducted and contributed to a cause by the organisation you work for.

DONATE ONLINE

Online donations are also known as "crowdfunding."

Online giving is the future of donations. It is one of the fastest growing methods of donating money. Online donations are mostly preferred by young donors. It’s most appropriate for modern digital lifestyles. Some charities are also exclusive online.

We at Karma Points make donating money quick and easy for you. The karma points app enables donors to personalize their donation experiences and contribute with full transparency. Simply download the Karma Points app or visit our website @thekarmapoints.com to help raise funds for charity.

Now let’s read about some other ways of giving to charity.

How to Give to a Charity Without Involving a Hefty Amount of Money

DONATE YOUR VALUABLE TIME

Many charitable organisations are successfully handled and run by volunteers. They act as the backbone of these organisations. Volunteering is one of the best ways to give your time to a charity and it is equally beneficial and valuable as monetary donations.

Volunteering has changed with the new technologies available over the years. You do need to be physically present at an organisation to volunteer. You can simply join a virtual volunteering programme to contribute towards a charity.

DONATE BLOOD

Blood is a necessity for thousands of people every day. Donating blood is a noble cause and doesn’t cost a penny. You can donate your blood at health care institutions and NGOs functioning for causes related to blood donation.

DONATE FOOD AND CLOTHING

Food and clothing are the two most important aspects of a good life. Basic necessities like these can be donated as there are millions of needy families out there who are deprived of these necessities. You can also donate other things such as carpets, furniture, cars, books, etc. Many charities aim to provide such necessities to the needy, and you can help them.

TAKE PART IN A GIVING CIRCLE

A giving circle makes donations fun. Giving circles can be small, informal groups like a neighborhood potluck, where a few people pool their money and give it to a chosen charity. These circles can also be highly organised, with thousands of dollars being donated. Whether informal or organised, giving circles enable donors to pool their donations to achieve a greater impact.

EMPLOYER MATCHING GIFTS.

Some employers provide matching gifts, which means they will match some or all of your donations. Simply put, your employer doubles your donations by providing gifts matching your donations. This is a good scheme used by many organisations to encourage donations.

It’s not necessary to give monetary donations to a charity. You can contribute in any possible way, but giving is important. Give what you can and help others live a better life.

Log into to Karma Points website today and start the good deed.

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Sanya Aggarwal

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