There are many charities all over the world, dedicated to a plethora of causes. If you have the capacity to give back, you have many options to choose from. Whether you’re an individual, a family, or a small business owner, consider focusing your charitable giving on local nonprofits in your immediate surroundings. This can be a great way to connect with your community while also supporting those in need in your area. This article provides actionable tips for supporting nonprofit organizations and other charitable initiatives locally.

Recognize the Benefits of Supporting a Local Nonprofit

There are people in need all over the world. So why focus your attention on local charities exclusively? There are a few benefits, from helping your area overcome pressing social issues to directly impacting people in your community. If you have a family, supporting local charities also sets a great example for your kids. Meanwhile, if you own a business, giving to charities in your area can be a great way to market your goods and services. As you can see, charitable giving establishes a symbiotic relationship that’s a win-win for both sides.

Decide What Type of Nonprofits You Want to Support

Even within your local community, there is undoubtedly a plethora of nonprofits you might consider supporting. From animal charities to homeless shelters, soup kitchens, and literacy programs for kids, there are many worthy causes out there. You can start narrowing down your list by looking up nonprofits in your area online, searching according to a specific city or state. For example, if you’re in the Terre Haute, Indiana, area, you might donate to Covered With Love, which provides diapers and other hygiene items for infants of families in crisis.

Determine the Most Productive Ways to Show Your Support

Once you’ve narrowed down your list of nonprofits, your research still isn’t done. There are many ways to support a charity, from giving your time and energy to making financial contributions. Waterford has a guide to the different ways you can help, from donating goods to offering administrative support like helping with fundraising. Consider what skills and resources you have and how to best leverage them. Some people assume that giving money is the only way to help but this is far from true.

Share Your Support and Encourage Others to Get Involved

Once you’ve settled on a charitable endeavor, spread the word. Sharing what you’re doing may inspire other people. Plus, it’s a great way to get closer to your community. Social media is one great platform you can use. There are free online tools you can use to help make social sharing easier, such as technology that allows you to resize image for Instagram. If you’re looking for creative ways to share news about a charitable initiative on social media, this guide from Influencive has you covered.

Get Your Friends and Family Involved

In addition to sharing your charitable efforts with your broader community on far-reaching platforms like social media, talk to friends and family about getting involved. This can be a fun way to bond with your loved ones. If you’re a small business, you can also use nonprofit work as a team-building activity. Need help convincing your people to get on board? Tell them about the mental health benefits of giving back, such as a greater sense of gratitude. Volunteer work is a great way to nurture relationships too.

If you think that giving money is the only way to help a local charity, think again. As the above guide makes clear, there are many ways that you can support nonprofits in your community. Consult the tips above to get started.

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