As I sat last year at my boyfriend’s aunt’s holiday party in a circle of 25 or so odd relatives exchanging gifts—each person having to force uncomfortable glees of joy while opening their literal mountains of presents in front of everyone no less—and Northface fleeces, Gap sweaters, and Abercrombie jeans filled the room with “oohs.” and “ahhs,” I couldn’t help but look around the room thinking that 1. These people could all afford to purchase their own Gap sweaters and would have probably picked out a totally different style if they had (and were already planning which day they would have to take a trek to the mall even and deal with the insanity of after-holiday return/exchange hell), 2. None of these gifts were truly needed, and 3. Where at least was the creativity if you were going to go the route of giving without a need?
With all these thoughts churning inside my sugar cookie-laden brain, in addition to strong consideration of how to get out of participating in the holiday festivities next year on top of a note-to-self that Northface and Gap must still be trendy, I had a post holiday revelation. Taking a look at my life and realizing what I do for a living each and every day… Of course! How could I have not thought of this before…? I would give everyone the “gift that keeps on giving.” I would give “in honor of!”
You see, every day for the past eight years, I have worked for some sort of non-profit charity organization or another. After working five years for a corporation where I seemed to help no one other than my boss and his wallet, I decided to dedicate my life to helping others. I have since helped students who couldn’t afford it go to school, shelter animals receive life-saving surgeries and get adopted, and I currently help people with mental illness find supportive housing and jobs.
Now, I have to admit that I write some of this in jest–I really do enjoy getting some creative gifts for the holidays. But I would still like to promote the idea of giving back during the tough winter season. Giving a monetary or in-kind (good or service) gift to a charity is the equivalent of donating blood to a hospital. It is how these organizations survive, especially with government and foundation funding being on the cut left and right these days.
Just think of it this way, a year-end gift is a great way to help someone who doesn’t have a sweater get though the cold holiday months, an animal who will sit in the shelter alone while we sip egg nogg with our friends avoid euthanasia, or even reverse the effects of erosion in the world’s oceans whose shores are dwindling each rough winter day. It is your choice where you give, but giving is essential.
Let me lay out the basics of why giving is so important (especially during the end of the year when non-profit organizations need it the most), gifting essentials, and the reasons it is good for all of us to consider alternative ways of spending our hard-earned dough this holiday season:
- No matter the cause, the holidays are the toughest time for everyone.
- Gifts of all sizes count big! Some choose to give many small gifts, some monthly, or some make one lump sum gift. You decide and it’s all counted, believe me.
- Many charities use the calendar year as their fiscal year – so December 31 is it!
- It can help you (i.e. tax write off), increasing the value of your degree when you go on a job interview, not to mention it makes you look like a saint to your next boyfriend or girlfriend (just kidding on the last part… well a little bit)
- Remember all those people who have helped you in the past… Isn’t it time to give back?
- If you can’t give a cash gift, remember that you can always give gifts of securities or set up a trust – just make sure to check with your tax and financial advisors first.
- The more people who give to an organization help corporations and foundations decide if they themselves want to support said organization.
- Remember people, it just feels good to support a cause. Try it, you won’t be disappointed.
- You can choose from a wide range of different types of charities – religious, social services, education, health, environment, animal welfare, world peace, etc.
- And finally—and maybe the most intriguing reason to give this time of year—you can donate in honor (or in memory) of a person of your choice. Great for all those on your holiday shopping list and you won’t even have to contend with those ridiculously long store lines at midnight on December 24th (if you’re like me).
I know this is a new concept for many of us who have never even considered this an option during the holidays, but I tell you as a non-profit fundraiser and convert myself, there will be no disappointment when your grandmother, in lou of a Gap sweater, opens up her gift to see a picture of the kitty or puppy she rescued from the shelter this holiday. (Ok… so you may have to explain to grandma that she doesn’t actually get to keep the puppy, but she will be happy just the same).
Just go on to your favorite non-profit’s website today to make an online in honor/in memory of gift, or get their address to mail in a donation. Call the organization’s development or advancement departments if you want to make a significant gift, gift of securities, set up a trust, planned, or in-kind gift. It is easy to make a gift at any time, and remember to get your check post-marked before December 31st. Be sure to also keep your acknowledgement letter for tax purposes.
Oh, and don’t forget that unrestricted giving (meaning you’re giving to the organization to decide where they need your gift most) is so beyond awesome vs. restricted giving (meaning you’re telling the organization exactly how to spend your gift)—take it from a real live fundraiser!
If you need help making a gift this holiday season, or have additional questions regarding a certain organization, please feel free to contact me at enj00@hotmail.com.
Well, I am off to start matching my relatives and friends with their respective holiday charities.
Happy and healthy holiday wishes to all!
Here is a list of some of my favorite charities and giving websites to get you started:
charitynavigator.org
guidestar.org
philantrhopy.com
networkforgood.com
firstgiving.org
commumintyaccess.org
humanesociety.org
nationaleatingdisorders.org
nami.org
OMFGstyle contributor Kelly has the following message about her favorite charity:
I would love to mention my favorite charity – Liberty Humane Shelter in Jersey City. The volunteers at LHS often bring really great dogs to the local dog park. I have fallen in love with several and am always happy when I hear that they have been placed in homes. As part of their ongoing fundraising efforts, Liberty Humane holds an annual “Bark in the Park” dog walk through Liberty State Park. The staff is terrific, but the facilities are badly in need of some repair and expansion. You can donate any amount (any gift is helpful!!), OR buy their cute annual calender.
OMFGstyle co-founder and editor-in-cheif Cody would like to nominate the following non-profits for your giving consideration:
Spay Panama, The Human Rights Campaign, NOW, The ACLU, Planned Parenthood
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This is a practical and enlightening article! Easy to do – just like don’t buy that 1 tube of lipstick that may just cause your makeup drawer to explode and give that $10 to the animal rescue organization of your choice. Keep them coming Miss Erin, I’ll be waiting. Thank you.