Every heard the saying “it’s better to give than to receive?”
This age-old adage holds a lot of merit, especially in a world dominated by the need for material possessions. But donating doesn’t always have to be a monetary gift. In fact, many schools, churches and not-for-profit organizations are receiving donations in all shapes and sizes.
Donating can serve a multitude of purposes, ranging anywhere from building supplies to gifts for sick children. But the bottom line is a donation must come from someone who is willing to share. So if you are interested in finding ways to donate but don’t want to simply write a check, what are your possibilities?
First off, you need to figure out what organization you want your donation to go towards. Is it a church or a local school? Do you support national organizations, such as the United Way or St. Jude’s Hospital? How much do you want to spend? Once you answer these questions, you’ll have a better idea where to begin when finding the perfect donation.
Most organizations enjoy receiving monetary donations and grants. But for those individuals willing to help out in other ways, holding public or silent auctions help raises the necessary funding needed to sustain a charity. Auctions are also a great social gathering for cities, both large and small. In fact, many auctions are held as black-tie affairs.
Some of the most common donations are to children’s charities because they are in constant need of donations, especially toys and games, which can make a child smile. If you are looking for an idea to give to a children’s charity, consider the traditional dollhouse. Dollhouses are a great example of a donation because the intricate detail and designs can ring up huge sums of money for the charity. What is unique about donating a build-from-scratch item, such as a dollhouse, is you can mold it to resemble certain buildings or homes, depending on the charity.
Dollhouses are not the only ingenious way to help out an organization. Donations can also come in the form of cars, boats or even wheelchairs. By donating big-ticket items, such as these, you will receive a nice tax break for the year while helping an organization fulfill the needs of those less fortunate in this world.
Donating your personal time is another great example of giving back to the community. Perhaps volunteering at a local hospital or senior citizen center is your way of giving. Or even spending a couple of days teaching children in a day-care or special education program free of charge can help out an organization in need.
Donating to charities requires intuitive thinking by all parties involved, and finding your niche in the giving world can be easy when you know where to start or what an organization needs. Donations shouldn’t be about giving the largest gift, but should focus on what is truly needed. So when your time comes to give more than you receive, consider making your gift one that will last a lifetime.
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