There are ways to donate to charity that won't break your personal budget.
Walt Whitman once said, "Charity and personal force are the only investments worth anything." Whitman would be happy to learn there are now a myriad of ways we can make such charitable investments. Even if you don't have a lot of money, there are optional methods by which you can aid your favorite charities, such as with material donations. There are some clever ways to encourage others to become philanthropic as well.
Charity-Themed Party
If you hold a holiday party, add a new dimension to the revelry by including a charitable donation aspect to the proceedings. Check with local charities, such as Goodwill, Salvation Army and area food pantries and see what their most dire needs are. On the invitation, include information about what your guests should bring to the party. Encourage them to bring items based on your research, such as clothing, toys, and canned foods, or offer them the option of writing a check. Designate a specific room where the donations will be placed during the party. Provide guests with pamphlets and fliers about the charities they're donating to in case they wish to make further contributions down the road.
Vehcicle Donations
Donating an old or unused vehicle has become a popular way to help charities. Such donations are tax deductible based on what the vehicle is sold for, so you'll be helping yourself out a bit as well. Charities that accept vehicle donations must have IRS nonprofit status. Vehicles in non-working condition are acceptable as long as they're worth more than the cost to tow them. The donations aren't just limited to cars. You can donate trucks, RVs, trailers, boats, and even airplanes. Lists of charities that accept such donations can be found online, but some of them include the Red Cross, Make a Wish Foundation, the Boy Scouts and Habitat for Humanity.
Wedding Gift Registries
As the average age of engaged couples rises, many find that they already have many of the things they need to begin their lives together. So instead of asking guests to bring wedding gifts from a department store registry, they ask them to donate to charity gift registries. There are established charity gift registries you can consider, such as the I Do Foundation, in which 10 percent of what is spent on gifts is donated to charity, and JustGive, where couples can choose the types of charities they want to help through guest donations.
Donate Art
Donating art is a unique way to give to charity. Those with large collections who need more space or those who have simply lost the passion for the pastime can donate art and receive a fair market tax deduction based on an appraisal of the artwork. Donations can include paintings, sculptures, statuary, lithographs, collectible posters, comic book art and photographs. There are several organizations that specialize in facilitating art donations and guiding the proceeds to the type of charities the donor wishes to help out.
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