It can get stressful gift shopping for a loved one to celebrate a holiday or event. Instead of giving a traditional gift wrapped in pretty paper and bow, another option is to donate the money you would have spent on a gift to charity. 

Have you ever received a card in the mail letting you know that someone had made a donation in your honor? Instead of the traditional boxes and bags, your loved one gave you a gift that made a difference in the world – who couldn’t feel great about that?  Combining gift giving with charitable donations is a great way to give charities the opportunity to extend their services, which can help your local community and the world we all live in.

While giving as a gift can be heartwarming, it is also important to do your homework before donating in someone’s name – just like you would do before buying a product at a store.  For example, if you are shopping for a watch for your father, you may want to consider one that looks nice, has a long battery life, and can be worn to any occasion.  On the other hand, you could buy the fancy one that he could wear to work as well.  He probably will appreciate both, and both will tell the time, but he may use the more versatile watch more often. The same consideration about what you want to give is necessary for giving to charities. 

For example, there are many organizations that work to benefit families in impoverished nations.  The funding you provide will help someone in need, it just may not help the way you intended. Your check may not go directly to any one specific family.  Instead, many organizations work with villages or churches to provide programs that benefit entire communities. Programs may include food and clothing distribution, health care, education, counseling and agricultural services, disaster relief, and religious education. In some cases, the model of pooling funds makes sense. In order to provide education to a child, pooling funds to build a school may be necessary. In order to provide clean water, a well may be needed that could logically serve an entire village. Both models of support will still make a difference to improve the lives of those in need. Be an informed giver, so that your support is used in the way you had intended.

It’s easy to learn more about organizations, their missions, programs, contact information, and their operations. Log on to the Charities Review Council’s online charity listings to learn more about an organization.

Giving a donation in someone’s name is a wonderful way to redefine the meaning of “gift giving”.  Not only are you providing for those in need, but donating money instead of giving a traditional gift will have a lasting impact – especially if you did your homework.