Are you overwhelmed by #GivingTuesday?

In all of my social feeds and my inbox there are countless worthy organizations seeking donations today. It can be intimidating and, therefore, tempting to just scroll by. If you’re wondering if you can really make a difference, consider this:

  • We can’t help everyone, but we can each help someone.
  • We can’t feed and clothe all the poor but we can donate one or two items.
  • We can’t solve all the problems but we can help tackle some of them.
  • We can’t cure all the diseases but we can support some of the research or patient services.
  • We can’t support all the community organizations doing important work, but we can each support one.
  • We can’t give all our money but we can each give at least a little bit.
So, what can you do?

Be strategic about your giving; take control! That is what my husband and I did and we feel good about what we gave and who we gave to. Consider these steps:

  • Decide how much you can afford to give. That can be any amount from giving up a cup of coffee to tithing your income.
  • Think about the people you care about, their health or other personal challenges, and what organizations are addressing them.
  • Consider your community concerns and which groups are making a positive difference in tackling them.
  • Reflect on world issues that you would like to impact and look for organizations with a clear mission to make that impact.
  • Select the organization(s) you want to support.
  • Verify through local resources or, for national organizations, check Charity Navigator to make sure they are legitimate.
  • Then give the amount you planned in your first step above, divided between the groups you selected. For example, if you decide you can afford $50, you can give it all to one organization, $25 each to two or $10 each to five.
  • Be sure to keep an electronic or paper copy of your receipt for tax purposes.
You can be a philanthropist.

It’s not about giving a fortune. It’s about giving. Period.

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Photo credit: 3D Budget Pie Chart by Chris Potter at ccPixs.com.