Giving with Purpose: 3 Donation Tips to Help Change Lives

Charities everywhere are looking for donations, especially this time of year. Giving to an organization that changes lives can feel great. But how do you ensure your donation gets to those in need? And what are some local charities that deserve your assistance? We’ve put together some tips and a nice list to help you make an informed decision.

Your Donations Matter
According to Charity Navigator, a highly rated charity will spend as little as 25% of donations on administration and fundraising. The remaining 75% go to those in need. When looking for a place to donate some of our money, consider organizations that focus on food security, education, medical care, as well as shelter and stability.

1. Do Your Research: Every legitimate charity is required to publish where their donations go and how much is used for administrative costs with the Internal Revenue Service. Visit CharityWatch or Candid for a detailed breakdown of a charity’s budget, including IRS Form 990. Look for organizations that spend 25% or less on employees and other internal costs.
   
   
2. Ask Questions: Get to know an organization before making a donation. Do their beliefs and viewpoints align with yours? By asking the right questions, you’ll find the right charity.
   
   
3. Watch for Red Flags: These include pressure from the organization to make a donation (either phone calls or constant email messages), unusual payment methods such as asking for gift cards or wire transfers instead of credit card payments, a CEO who earns too much, and a lack of details on their website.

Some Charities to Consider
There are plenty of organizations to choose from, but these stand out among the giving crowd.

A Wider Circle
This organization works to end poverty by providing families with resources, furnishings, household goods, education, and job support.
Donate Here: awidercircle.org

Holy Cross Health
This healthcare provider is well-known and well-loved in the community. Every donation helps fund new medical equipment and facilities.
Donate Here: holycrosshealth.org

Manna Food Center
This is Montgomery County’s largest food bank with a mission to end hunger in the county.
Donate here: mannafood.org

Nourish Now
Focused on food recovery, Nourish Now collects surplus food from restaurants, grocery stores, and more and redistributes it to those who need it.
Donate Here: nourishnow.org

Shepherd’s Table
Every community should have a safety net for those experiencing hunger, poverty, and homelessness. Shepherd’s Table is that helping hand.
Donate Here: shepherdstable.org

Mid-Atlantic FCU is Part of Your Support System
Your financial well-being matters. Whether you need help with your financial life or want to do more for others, we’re here to offer our expertise. Stop by or call, and we’ll be glad to do what we can.