Get More Out of Giving

We’re all stretching our dollars a little further this holiday season, taking full advantage of special sales and online deals. But what are you doing to make the most of your holiday giving?

Tomorrow is the second annual #GivingTuesday, a national movement amidst the Black Friday and Cyber Monday insanity to give back to our communities. If you cringe a little at the thought of donating time or hard-earned money during this chaotic time of year, here are three ways to get more out of the season of giving.

1. Enlist kids

Some of our most generous supporters at DonorsChoose.org have told us they like to let their children or grandchildren choose a project and support other students like themselves. Involve the children in your life when you give and you’ll be building another generation of generosity. Let them help you choose a cause to support, or help them save parts of their allowance to make a donation of their own.

2. Give the gift of giving

The next time you draw names for Secret Santa, consider this: money can buy happiness but only if you spend it on someone else, according to researchers. The next time you have to shop for that impossible-to-buy-for coworker or relative, consider a philanthropic gift card or a donation to their favorite charity.

3. Stay interested

We all like the warm fuzzy feeling of sending in a donation and imagining the good it will do, but those feelings wear off quickly. That’s why the teachers and students we serve send thank you notes and photos to their donors. Follow up with the causes you support to see how your donation makes a difference. Check back on their website for updates, or set up a Google Alert to email you news about your chosen causes.

If you don’t believe that $5 can make a difference, here’s a teacher who might change your mind.


How do you make the most of your holiday giving?

Read more coverage of Giving Tuesday:

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Charles is founder and CEO of DonorsChoose.org, a crowdfunding non-profit that makes it easy for people to support classrooms in need. On Twitter: @charlesbest and @donorschoose

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Wesley Cupido

Events Services Professional

10 年

Anybody that wants to give to South Africa. Check out this website. www.deskbuddy.co.za

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Maricor Price

Insurance Professional

11 年

Great article. This one of the best core value we teach our children and the young generation most especially during this holiday season.

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Jaspal Gill

Hony. Director - EduOne

11 年

A reading corner with 5 periodicals for children in the Gurudwara of a small village where my father grew up . Let the children read and have a glimpse of the world.

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Phyllis C. Robles

After Care Coordinator at Githens Center

11 年

A few years ago, I had the privilege of working with an amazing group of children in a local preschool. It was close to Christmas one year and three of our families had tragedies happen. The children all joined together with the staff and parents to provide Christmas for those families. There was not a dry eye anywhere! Giving is always wonderful but children make it an extra blessing.

Jennifer Fuller, LMSW

Psychotherapist at Flourish: Center for Cultivating Human Potential

11 年

We have started a tradition for the children in our family on Thanksgiving. Each child receives a small stocking containing $10 and they must pay it forward in some way. We explain to them it can't be for themselves, or someone they know. After they choose, they must write a letter about what they did and share it when we get together on Christmas. They get so excited and creative it’s a blessing just to watch! Kids should be involved!

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