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Can I Split My Tithe?
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In today's world, we're constantly bombarded with requests for our money and attention. It's easy for charitable giving to feel like just another obligation on a never-ending to-do list. But it doesn't have to be that way. Charitable giving can be incredibly rewarding when you know your contribution is making a real difference in the world.
With so many worthy causes vying for our support, it's natural to feel overwhelmed or unsure where to start. But don't be discouraged! Your donation, no matter the size, has the power to create positive change.
Here are six strategies to ensure your charitable giving has the greatest impact:
1. Research Before You Donate - Just like you would when making a financial investment. Websites like Charity Navigator and GiveWell can provide key information about an organization’s inner workings, helping you evaluate the types of places you want to invest your money in. If a nonprofit is local, stop by or give them a phone call! Take the time to research so that you will be confident in the cause that your donation is supporting.
2. Give to What Your Passionate About - Don’t let the pressure of social media and online soliciting make you feel obligated to give to every cause that is asking you for money. Again, it is worth doing a little digging to find the organizations where your dollar will make the biggest impact, and to what you’re passionate about, rather than just giving money to whoever has the flashiest marketing scheme.
3. Look Beyond the Immediate Impact - Look at the long-term investment your money is a part of, rather than just the immediate result. For example, when you give to our ministry here at Set Free, every $5 allows one person to receive clean water. However, our ministry goes much further into opening up[SK1] doors to true freedom. We invest in the village, families, and the lives of the children for the long term, including rescuing children that have been taken under debt bondages and planting churches to foster community and spread the love of Jesus.
4. Support Local Organizations - Consider giving to lesser known, local organizations. Giving back into your community is a great way to start donating your money. Ask your neighbors where they are involved and consider giving to places that maybe don’t receive large amounts of donations from corporations around the world. Often the work going on at a smaller scale is the place that needs your gift the most.
5. Maximize Your Impact - Evaluate ways to make your giving have a greater impact, such as employee matching programs or an automated monthly gift. Sometimes companies will have matching programs that can double the impact ofyour gift, so check with your employer about such an option. Also, sometimes the nonprofit itself will have a matching campaign thanks to a generous donor. Alternatively, committing a monthly gift, rather than a one-time payment at a higher amount, is more helpful to the nonprofit because they can project their income over the course of the year, rather than waiting for a big bonus around the holidays.
6. Develop Your Personal Giving Philosophy - Develop guidelines for the types of organizations and causes you want to give to. When you have a mission for what you want your money to accomplish, you’ll find it easier to navigate the millions of charities asking for your attention. This is an excellent first step towards becoming a thoughtful, informed giver, and gives you a mission that you can share with your friends and family members, only furthering the impact your charitable donation has.
How to Choose an Organization to Give To:
Once you find a cause that you are passionate about, dive deep into looking at key information such as:
- How is that organization funded? Organizations that are fully donor-funded are the ones that need your giving the most. Additionally, look for places that are transparent about where their funding is going. What percent is being turned over and going straight into the field? What percent is going to overhead costs such as rent and salaries?
- What type of impact are they making? Is it in your local community? Across the globe fighting for something you believe in? It is important to ensure that the impact the organization is making aligns with your values and goals.
Giving to Set Free:
At Set Free Alliance, we believe that true freedom is found in the Good News of Jesus Christ. Our mission is to share this with the world in a tangible way, by bringing necessities like clean water and medical aid into villages in India, Liberia, and Sierra Leone, as well as working to free children captured in slavery, and prevent further kids from being enslaved in the first place.
We are working to stop the cycle of poverty that leads to debt bondages. We offer non-interest loans to families who have been infected by diseases from dirty water and other ailments, so that they are not taken advantage of by loan sharks. These “loan agents” deceive often illiterate parents into selling their children to work in mines and brothels to work off a debt that will never actually be paid off. The average cost of these loans is $68. By intervening and paying this amount directly to the lender, Set Free eliminates the pressure on the family, and allows them to pay back the loan in a time and way that works for them.
Learn more about becoming a part of our mission to provide true freedom through Christ.
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