Most of us long to be generous. But when a need arises, we can find ourselves stretched for both time and cash. And it can also be difficult to know what to give, who to give it to, and how much to give. A few simple strategies can increase your effectiveness as a generous person even if you’re short on money and time. Check out these ways to make sure your giving has the greatest impact and you’re using smart generosity.
Research the Situation First
Before you dive into bringing relief or encouragement to an individual or cause, you need to know specifically what’s going on. Discover if there’s another organization or person who has the same heart and goal for the cause. You broaden the ability to provide care and financial support when you partner with someone who’s already actively involved in the process.
Know the Need
Similarly, we all have ideas about what we’d like in a particular situation. However, if you don’t ask the individual what the specific needs are, you may end up squandering time and resources. Pay close attention to what might best suit that individual instead of yourself. If you’re providing food, ask about preferences and allergies. If you plan on purchasing a gift card, ask about favorite stores. And if there’s a cultural divide or potential abuse in a situation, be sensitive about what may or may not be helpful. Meet the actual need rather than guessing at what might be helpful.
Don’t Donate Junk
When it comes to physical items, if possible give new or very gently used clothing, household goods, and toys. Don’t donate anything that’s broken or stained or that you wouldn’t want to receive. Many organizations ask for items that still have tags on them rather than secondhand goods. Be sure that you’re giving your best – even if it’s a small item – rather than a lot of goods that will need to be sorted through and thrown out,
Use Your Organizational Skills
While you may not be able to provide a meal for a family every night of the week, you may be able to help organize and inspire others so you can cover an entire month of meals. Or perhaps you can’t afford to donate every item on a list of needs for an organization, but you might be able to encourage your friends and neighbors to help you tackle the need together. You’d be surprised at how many people long to be generous but are waiting for someone else to lead the way. Use your social media platform to spread the word and a tool like Sign Up Genius, Meal Train, or even an Amazon Wishlist to help you manage the details so you don’t forget.
Set a Reminder
Speaking of forgetting, it’s so easy to space when we’ve signed up to make a donation or planned on volunteering. Use your smartphone to help keep you on track. Put dates in your calendar and set reminders to make sure you follow through with your good intentions. Put technology to good use to make a difference.
A little kindness goes a long way in life. You can be generous without being a billionaire. Maximize your efforts, influence, and resources to give by taking a few simple steps along the way.
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