With all the charities out there, you have to make some clear choices. You can’t do it all for every non-profit organization, but the support you do decide to give is worth your time. Consider the following tips:
Don’t give a just a little bit to every charity – or you’ll end up spreading yourself too thin. Instead, decide which charities you really believe in, and work that angle. Have you been touched by breast cancer? Do you have a special love for children? Have you been in an abusive situation? Tie in your life experience or beliefs to the charities you support. This allows you to really make a difference for a few choice non-profits, rather than making a very small change for many.
You can’t do it all. The more you do for charities, the more they call on you for help. That is fine, but don’t attend every fundraising event or give your last dime if it is hurting your personal life. Pick and choose the different events, training and services that you want to be involved in. This allows for you to give it your all when you are offering your help, rather than just squeaking by.
Do it because you want to, not because you feel guilt. If your company is offering bake sale items to raise money for a cause and you were going to purchase something out of the vending machine anyway, definitely support their efforts. But if you feel pinned into giving money, then you may be giving for the wrong reasons. Remember, you aren’t giving your donation or volunteer efforts to make your company look better – you are doing it because you believe in the cause.