By Theresa Ficazzola
Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks and help those who are less fortunate, but how many of us actually do so? With the advent of Giving Tuesday, which was created 11 years ago, there’s really no excuse because it’s as easy as ever—and you don’t even have to leave your house!
December 3rd is Giving Tuesday
This year, Giving Tuesday will take place on December 3rd. According to the GivingTuesday website, Giving Tuesday was created in 2012 as a day that encourages people to do good after all the money that is spent on “things” during Cyber Monday. It has become a year-round global movement that inspires hundreds of millions of people to give, collaborate, and celebrate generosity.
There’s More to Giving than Money
Generosity doesn’t only have to come in the form of a monetary donation. You can dedicate your time to doing small, random acts of kindness like helping an elderly neighbor or volunteering at an animal rescue or share a skill you have to benefit a local or national non-profit organization or charity.
Most people align their charitable giving and volunteering to causes that are near and dear to their hearts. And there are certainly a large number of charities to choose from.
According to the Business Initiative website, data from Statista shows that non-profits have experienced consistent growth since 1998, when there were 1.16 million organizations. This number increased to 1.80 million by 2017 and rose to 1.97 million in 2022. Geographically, states like California, New York, and Texas lead in the number of non-profits due to their large populations and diverse economic environments that support these organizations.
More About Monetary Donations
If you’re going to focus on a monetary donation, you should ensure that your money goes to an organization that utilizes the majority of their funds to their cause, rather than to administrative expenses. Visit charitynavigator.org or guidestar.org before donating. According to Charity Navigator, an organization should spend at least 75% of its expenses directly on its programs.
As an added plus for your good deed, you may be able to receive a tax deduction if you itemize your taxes for a qualified charitable donation—the higher your income, the higher your deduction. So, speak with your accountant for more details to see if you qualify.
Consider Solar Panels for your Home in NY and NJ
If you’re interested in helping the planet, doing something positive for future generations, and keeping more of what you earn, consider installing solar panels on your home. Our mission at SI Solar is to help the earth – one solar installation at a time.
Learn more by scheduling your free, no obligation appointment with SI Solar today. Not only will you reduce your carbon footprint, you’ll save money on your monthly electricity bill. And with that extra cash, you could donate more to charity!
Do Good and Feel Good
Whether you consider supporting an earth-related charity, or something else, you’re guaranteed to feel good about yourself.
According to Charity Navigator, research shows that donating money makes people happier than spending it on themselves. By donating, you can improve your mental wellness, while supporting the well-being of others.
When you give to others, it activates the brain’s reward center, releasing “feel-good” chemicals like dopamine and endorphins. Additionally, giving social support to others brings long-term benefits, such as greater self-esteem, reduced stress and lower blood pressure.
So, spend some time before Giving Tuesday to make a list of causes that interest you. Then when December 3rd roles around, you’ll be able to give to those who you’ve already vetted, knowing your hard-earned money is going to a worthy cause.
