Giving back to charity is one of the many aspects of life that make this world a much better place. It is so important to donate to causes that are striving every day to improve the lives of others and our planet as a whole. Unfortunately, it is possible that people may not have the sufficient funds necessary to donate to charity. However, that is no reason to get down on your finances because on the bright side there are many ways to give back without donating money. Here are a few ways to donate to charity without spending money.
Donate Your Time and Skills
If there is one thing that is just as or even more precious than money, it is time. Your time can be just as valuable as a cash donation. There are a lot of non-profit organizations that survive through the efforts of their volunteers. Karen Hoxmeier of MyBargainBuddy.com said, “Donate your time. Homeless shelters, soup kitchens, senior centers, hospice facilities, big brother/big sister programs, and animal rescues all need people to help out by being physically present and volunteering their time.” You might also want to consider offering your skills to some organizations pro bono. Some charities have specialized needs but do not have the resources to afford a dedicated staff.
Donate Your Old Items
If you have some old things you are looking to get rid of, consider donating them to a charitable organization. These can include, non-perishable food, clothes, shoes, furniture or even cars. There are so many charities that can put these items to good use. You can also donate books to the local library. Some things that you may look at as trash might be someone else’s treasure.
Donate Your Credit Card Rewards
Most credit cards with a rewards system will often let you donate the cash back, points or miles that you earn directly to charity. Another option is to redeem your rewards for money back and giving those funds after they landed in your account. You can also look to get a credit card specifically designed for charitable giving. Check out this list of charity-focused credit cards and see if there is one that works for you.
Utilize The Internet
There are also online opportunities that allow you to be charitable. Searching the web using SearchKindly will donate on your behalf to create libraries for underserved schools. Playing educational games on Free Rice donates ten grains of rice to the United Nations World Food Program for each question answered correctly.
As you can see, if you genuinely want to give back to charity, you shouldn’t let your financial situation hold you back. There are plenty of other opportunities to donate and help those in need. It is just a matter of finding them.