7 Easy And Affordable Ways To Donate Money And Make A Difference

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Giving back to others in need is an amazing way to help your community, your country and the world. Whether it’s through clothing and food drives or just dropping a dollar in the Salvation Army bucket during the holidays, it all makes a difference. If you’re looking to donate money this year, here are seven ways you can do it that are both easy and affordable, yet still make a huge difference.

1. AmazonSmile

If you’re a frequent Amazon shopper, sign up for AmazonSmile and feel good about giving back with every purchase. Plus, it’s so easy. All you have to do is pick the charitable organization that you want to give back to. Then, with every purchase you make, AmazonSmile will donate 0.5 percent of the price of your eligible purchases to that organization. Just make sure to use the smile.amazon.com URL when you start your shopping.

2. Charity Charge Credit Card

If you’re already someone who swipes, inserts or now taps to pay pretty often, why not sign up for a credit card that also helps you give back? The Charity Charge Mastercard gives your 1 percent cash back to a charitable organization through the company. Plus, there’s no annual fee. You’ll be improving your credit score, saving money and making a difference with every purchase.

3. KidCents

Unsplash/Larm Rmah

If you go stop at Rite Aid often to pick up medicine, toiletries, cards or whatever you need, then opt in to KidCents. With every purchase you make, your total will be rounded up to the next dollar. That extra change is then donated to non-profit, kid-focused organizations in local communities. You can even choose the specific organization to which you want to donate your cents.

4. ShopRite Partners In Caring

If you’re a ShopRite shopper, buying certain brands could also mean helping those in need. When shoppers by brands with the ShopRite Partners In Caring shelf tag, they help donate money and food to local food banks and organizations that work to end hunger in communities. General Mills, Kraft Heinz, Coco-Cola, Campbell’s, Purdue and more are among the list of brands. All you have to do is buy those products to know that you’re also giving back to others.

5. Charity: Water

If you’re looking for a gift for someone, consider the book “Thirst” by Scott Harrison, the founder and CEO of Charity: Water. When you buy the book, which is only $13.99 for Kindle owners, you also unlock a $30 donation that will help give clean water to one person. All you have to do is forward your receipt for the book to [email protected].

6. GiveDirectly

Unsplash/Bill Wegener

Many people may be weary of donating money to large charities because they can’t see exactly where their money is going. However, with GiveDirectly, you can be sure that the money you’re donating is going directly to someone in need. Backed by GiveWell and Google.org, GiveDirectly allows people to make one-time or monthly donations starting at just $50 and choose where the funds go. You can have your money transferred as standard cash, given as basic income, donated to refugees or omit a preference. Before donating, you can also see and read the stories of the people who will receive the money. You can donate from your checking account, with a credit card or via PayPal.

7. Facebook Fundraisers

Get your friends and family involved in giving back through social media this year. Facebook Fundraisers make it super easy to set up shared charitable giving. You can choose from a wide variety of categories like animals, education, health and medical, sports and more, and then create a goal for how much money you want to donate. Then share it on your Facebook page and invite others to help you reach that desired amount. Your monetary goal can be as little as $10 or as large as thousands. Plus, there’s no time limit on how long it takes you to get there. Once you reach your goal, that money will be donated and you’ll have made a difference.

If you didn’t believe donating money was in your budget this year, think again. Giving back is always worth it. Just be sure to keep any and all receipts because you’ll need them when income tax time comes around in the spring. Plus, you’ll be able to prepare for next year’s charitable giving and build it into your budget in advance, making it even easier and more affordable to give back and make a difference.

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