Article by: Sarah Koontz
Did you know that nearly one-third of annual charitable giving occurs in the final weeks of the year?
Last year our nonprofit ministry raised 50% of our funds during the month of December.
This is why the last quarter of the year is known as the ‘Giving Season‘ by nonprofit organizations.
What does this mean for you?
It means that your mailbox, inbox, and social media feed is going to be packed with a colorful assortment of year-end donation requests from compelling causes.
Because the year-end giving season is a big deal in the nonprofit world.
And with so many good causes out there, it can be quite difficult to decide where to invest your limited funds.
With so many good causes out there, it can be quite difficult to decide where to invest your limited funds during the giving-season.Although I have been the primary fundraiser for a small nonprofit ministry for just a few years, I have been a faithful financial supporter of several causes I believe in for the past two decades.
My personal experience has taught me that I simply don’t have enough money to support every worthwhile cause that invites me to invest in their mission.
Today, I am going to share five ways you can support a nonprofit you are passionate about without spending extra money.
Because there are so many non-financial ways to show your support for your favorite nonprofits!
But before we get to that, I want to remind us all of the many reasons to give generously this giving season.
Approaching the Giving Season with Generosity
- Giving a financial gift to a cause you believe in allows you to be part of their important work without having to donate your time or talents to the organization.
- Making the choice to give sacrificially—more than you feel comfortable giving—will grow your dependence on God to “meet all your needs according to the riches of his glory in Christ Jesus.” (Phil. 4:13)
- Giving feels good! It also carries with it a sacred invitation to “store up your treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves don’t break in and steal.” (Matt 6:20)
- Generosity is a learned behavior! Inviting the whole family to participate in charitable giving cultivates an environment of generosity that can be passed from one generation to the next.
- There is so much “good work” that non-profits are unable to undertake because of a lack of funding. Your financial gifts, large and small, really do make a difference!
Now that we’ve addressed the importance of giving generously with our finances, it’s time to talk about non-financial ways to support causes you believe in.
In this regard, I have good news for you!
Supporting meaningful causes in the social-media era is simpler than ever before.
And what the year-end giving statistics I shared above fail to express is that people are any nonprofit organization’s most valuable asset.
There are so many small actions you can take that carry the possibility of having a big impact on the causes closest to your heart.
Here are FIVE small actions you can take that carry the possibility of having a big impact on the causes closest to your heart.
Five No-Spend Ways To Support Nonprofits this Giving Season
Today, I am going to share five simple things that members of our community can do to show their support for our work.
Because we want people who cannot help financially to know there are other vital ways to support the mission and vision of Living by Design Ministries.
These simple actions will have a profound impact on our ability to grow and thrive as a ministry.
And these simple actions will have a profound impact on any nonprofit you want to see grow and thrive in the years to come!
These simple actions will have a profound impact on any nonprofit you want to see grow and thrive in the years to come!1. Connect with Your Favorite Cause on Social Media
When you follow your favorite ministry or nonprofit organization on social media, you are inviting more positivity and encouragement to your personal social media feed. You are also helping that organization get its message out and establishing “social proof” that their cause is worthwhile. Be sure to also like, comment on, and share their posts because each action you take helps boost reach and increase engagement.
Haven’t connected with Living by Design Ministries on social media yet? Here are our links: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest.
2. Share the Organization’s Mission With Your Network
In the same way that networking is a powerful tool for business people and professionals, it’s also essential for growth and success in the non-profit world. The reality is, we all know someone who possesses the necessary skill, passion, or finances to have a profound impact on the causes we believe in. When members of our community take the time to share our mission with others, they create opportunities for new relationships to form and new resources to be developed.
3. Share a Testimonial and/or Recommend the Organization
Your story matters! If an organization has had a positive impact on your life, give back by sharing your testimonial with them. This is another powerful way to offer social proof that this organization is making a difference and help others see the value of what they provide. Many people won’t invest their time, talents, and treasures into an organization without first reading the impact stories of how the organization is accomplishing its mission.
To help Living by Design Ministries in this way, consider recommending us on Facebook or leaving a testimonial at GreatNonProfits.org.
If an organization has had a positive impact on your life, give back this giving season by sharing your testimonial with them.4. Forward the Organization’s E-mails to a Friend
Each week we send two e-mails to our subscribers. On Tuesdays, we send a link to the newest article on our blog and on Saturdays, we send an uplifting SOULfood e-mail. Imagine the impact we could have if dozens (or even hundreds) of our subscribers simply forwarded our weekly e-mails to a friend who might find them encouraging or helpful. We also have specialized contact lists for potential Creative Partners, Contributing Writers, and Support Team Members. People are more likely to read an e-mail or say yes to an opportunity that has been shared by a personal friend. Never forget that!
5. Offer Your Time and Expertise to the Organization
Do you have a special skill or talent that might benefit an organization you believe in? Even if they don’t have volunteer needs posted, it never hurts to offer. Most small non-profits depend on discounted professional services and volunteers to make ends meet. Send a quick e-mail to let their staff know about your expertise and how you’d like to contribute to their work.
It is my hope that these five action steps you can take to support causes you believe in without spending a dime will help you approach the “year-end-giving” season with fresh insight and refreshed energy.
Show Your Support During the Giving Season
Yes, money matters and giving generously is always a good choice.
But there are many other no-spend ways to show your support during the giving season.
As an active fundraiser, I can tell you that these alternative avenues of support are just as valuable and oftentimes more encouraging than a purely financial gift.
At the end of the day, we are all just doing our best to make a difference in this world.
And when we work together, we are stronger than we could ever be on our own!
This blog was originally published on November 19, 2019. During Sarah Koontz’s Sabbatical in 2024, we will be sharing some of our favorite articles and e-mails from the archives with you. Thank you for praying for Sarah and her family as they enjoy this beautiful season of Sabbath rest.
