CHARITY WATCH
First, I want to discuss picking your charity. Make sure you do a little background research on any charity before you decide to give. Unfortunately, there are a lot of scams (especially on the internet). I like giving to a local charity so that I can visit the establishment, take a look at how they run their charity, and maybe even meet the heart of the operation. There are a few locations online that rate charitable organizations (i.e. American Institute of Philanthropy and One-Click Charity Check). I suggest doing a little research yourself, never be afraid to ask questions about how your donation will be spent. Many online charities don't have anything but a website, but there should be information on how your donation will be allocated as well as contact information.
DONATE A SERVICE
If you are unable to donate money to your favorite charity consider donating your service. What is your skill set? For instance, if you are educated about animal care, you may offer your services in caring for the animals at the local shelter, take them for walks, or even help train them. Do you like to chat online? Tell all your friends about your favorite charity, maybe even start a blog (animal lovers check out zootoo.com). Some of you may have accounting or legal background and could offer your services for free to a local non-profit. These are just a few ideas to get you brainstorming for yourself. Remember: Time = Money, so when you volunteer your time it is just as valuable to an organization in need. If you are not sure what service you can offer call your local charity and ask!
BE AN AMBASSADOR
Spread the word about your favorite charity. Use the name and contact information in your signature in your emails. Talk about the charity to everyone you know. If you participate in online chats or forums, be sure to add a link to the charity (if allowed).
DONATE UNUSED ITEMS
sell them in a charity auction
Walk through your house every couple of months and pick up items that you haven't used in the past 3-6 months. Take them to a thrift store and donate them. OR donate the items for a charity auction (you could even run it yourself). Many charities are taking advantage of the ease of online auctions. Call some of your local stores and find out if they have anything to donate. Stores such as Tractor Supply, Pet Supply stores, and others will donate items for charity auctions. Find out what your charity needs and try to get these specific items donated
DONATE YOUR HAIR
There are several organizations that will take hair donations for adults and children who have lost their hair due to health problems. Click here to see a list of sites that take donated hair.
DONATE YOUR UNUSED COMPUTER TIME
Grid computing is a new and wonderful way to give to help with research. All that is needed is your unused computer time. You can help cure cancer and other health problems at worldcommunitygrid.org
LET OTHERS DONATE FOR YOU
There are tons of websites that give some or all of their revenue to charity. Here are just a few:
Click-to-Give
With click to give 100% of the sponsors revenue goes to the charitable partners who then determine how to spend the money. So, basically you are donating to the charitable partners. You can learn more about each of the charitable partners on the click-to-give sites. The main site will have tabs to each of the following locations that you can click daily to give for Free.
HERE IS A LIST OF THE CHARITABLE PARTNERS THAT RECEIVE THE DONATIONS FROM YOUR CLICKS:
Hunger - the charitable partners that fund programs to feed the hungry are: GreaterGood.org, mercycorps.org, secondharvest.org, savedarfur.org, one.org
Breast Cancer - the charitable partners that fund free mammograms are: GreaterGood.org, nationalbreastcancer.org
Child Health - the charitable partners that fund free child healthcare are: GreaterGood.org, mercycorps.org, pofsea.org, hki.org (Helen Keller International), pedaids.org, one.org
Literacy - the charitable partners that fund free books are: GreaterGood.org, firstbook.org, roomtoread.org
Rainforest - the charitable partners that fund to protect endangered habitat are: GreaterGood.org, nature.org, rainforestconservation.org, worldlandtrust-us.org, rainforest2reef.org
Animal Rescue - the charitable partners that fund free food and care for animals are: GreaterGood.org, fundforanimals.org, petfinder.com/foundation, nsalamerica.org
Click here to see a list of more click-to-give websites
Click to give on the social networking site Care2.com
Use Pink Ribbon Search Engine
Each search helps fund mammograms for women in need. PinkRibbonSearch.com brings together the best results from the Internet's top search engines, including Google, Yahoo!, and more. They are the same search results you know and love, but here they help the cause! 100% of collected revenue from site sponsorships goes to pay for mammograms.
FreeLanthropy
People simply search the Internet like they normally do and money is generated for your cause. Freelanthropy's web search is powered by Yahoo! so you get the same great experience you know and trust. 50% of Freelanthropy's gross revenues (not a "portion of proceeds" or even 50% of profit, but 50% of all money earned goes back out to nonprofits). If you do not see you favorite charity let them know about this search engine and they can sign up for Free and begin receiving donations from your search.
GoodSearch & GoodShop
GoodSearch is a search engine like Google with one exception, every time you search GoodSearch donates approximately 1 penny to your designated charity. "GoodSearch is a search engine which donates 50-percent of its revenue to the charities and schools designated by its users. It's a simple and compelling concept. You use GoodSearch exactly as you would any other search engine. Because it's powered by Yahoo!, you get proven search results. The money GoodSearch donates to your cause comes from its advertisers — the users and the organizations do not spend a dime!"
GoodShop is the GoodSearch shopping mall. When you shop through GoodShop at one of their retail partners, GoodSearch is paid a commission. A portion of this commission is then donated to your favorite charity (3% - ?% depending on the retailer). Many popular stores participate with GoodShop, such as eBay, Amazon.com, Best Buy, Apple, 1-800-flowers, Circuit City, Gap, Expedia, Home Depot, iTunes, Macy's, Bloomingdales, and more. Check out the retailer search here.
GoodTree
Supporting your favorite charities by searching the web.
Shop WonderBull
WonderBull is dedicated to helping pit bulls in need through the sale of pit bull related merchandise.
ADD A DONATION WIDGET TO YOUR WEB PRESENCE
Many organizations are using widgets to collect donations or get attention. If you have a website, blog, myspace profile, etc...consider adding a widget from your favorite charity to your page.
Check out sixdegrees.org : This is a charitable initiative by Kevin Bacon. You can create your own widget to help the charity of your choice.
Click here to get a widget that helps homeless animals (every time it is posted on a new site $1 is donated to a rescue in need). The website also donates a portion of its revenue from sponsors to help animals in need.
GIVE A FRIEND A HAND
This last suggestion is not as obvious as the others. Charity doesn't mean that you have to give to an organization. Help a friend who needs a hand.
WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE WAY TO GIVE ? TELL US!!
In my next blog you will learn how to get Free media, such as Television shows, Radio, and music at no charge...
