The holiday season and peoples’ generosity hasn’t changed – but how they express it has. Technology has made it easier and more convenient than ever to donate.
Gone are the days of dropping spare change in the Salvation Army’s buckets. Now, people can round up the total in their online purchases and donate the difference to their favorite nonprofit. Online transactions have automated giving, allowing for one-time, monthly, or annual donations with just a few keystrokes.
With the rise of smartphones, charitable giving has become more streamlined and secure. Here are some ways to donate.
Donating by Mobile App
Venmo Charity Profiles
Last year, PayPal launched charity profiles on Venmo, allowing users to donate directly to charities from the app. With over 90 million customers, the initiative aims to change how and how much people donate. It’s easy to contribute to your favorite causes securely in just five simple steps:
- Select the pay/request button
- Type the name of your preferred charity into the search bar
- Tap the charities button to review verified charity profiles
- Select the charity
- Click donate and donate
RoundUp App
Another easy way to donate by smartphone is with RoundUp App, which rounds up users’ purchase amounts to the nearest whole number or a specific denomination and donates the difference to a designated charity. Setting up donations with RoundUp App is effortless:
- Select a nonprofit to support
- Connect your credit or debit card
- Spend like normal
- RoundUp sends users’ monthly roundups (donations) to the nonprofit
Want to learn more about online banking? Check out Senior Planet’s free Money Matters online class on November 30. Details are here.
How to Select a Charity
Choosing an appropriate tax-exempt organization from the over 1.5 million in the US can be overwhelming. Consider conducting a “philanthropic autobiography” to find nonprofits that match your experiences and create sustained engagement. It’s essential to support causes that align with your interests, values, and passions.
Non-Cash Donations
If cash is tight or you are more hands-on, consider donating your time to help a nonprofit organization. Many charitable organizations rely on volunteers to fill the gap. Taproot matches volunteers to philanthropic projects based on their skill set.
Don’t Forget Due Diligence
Once you’ve decided on a nonprofit, take some time to do a little research to ensure they’re trustworthy and align with your values. Charity Navigator, the Better Business Bureau, and guidestar.org provide well-researched information on nonprofits. And remember to do it safely.
It’s amazing how small acts of kindness can make a big difference in the lives of others. Remember, Giving Tuesday 2023 happens on November 28.
Deborah Reale is a digital marketing and communications consultant specializing in social media, analytics, and content writing. Ms. Reale has written for Business Development Magazine and Construction Industry Today, and quoted in Investor’s Business Daily and the book Social Media in Action. She holds a bachelor’s degree in business management and a graduate degree in business administration.
