Our communities are full of people in need, and quite often, nonprofit organizations are there to fill the gap, providing the resources, tools, and support people wouldn't otherwise receive.
While the COVID-19 pandemic initially led to a significant decline in donations and support in early 2020, donations thankfully rebounded by the second half of the year for many organizations.
This is crucial because nonprofits are doing good work in our communities and will continue to need support from their supporters as we ride out the pandemic and for years to come.
Thankfully, you can be part of the change by supporting nonprofit organizations and doing so with the confidence that your generosity will trickle down to those they serve.
What exactly is a nonprofit organization?
According to the National Council of Nonprofits, a nonprofit organization works to "feed, heal, shelter, educate, inspire, enlighten, and nurture people of every age, gender, race, and socioeconomic status, from coast to coast, border to border and beyond."
There are currently over 1.3 million nonprofits in America.
Examples of Nonprofit Organizations
To better understand the role of nonprofits, here are some well-known organizations. Remember that while there are major recognizable nonprofits, there are even more medium and small-scale ones supporting those in need, many within your community.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of America
The mission of Big Brothers Big Sisters is to "make meaningful, monitored matches between adult volunteers and children ages 5 through adulthood in communities across the country."
American Red Cross
The mission of the American Red Cross is to "deliver vital services — from providing relief and support to those in crisis, to helping you be prepared to respond to emergencies."
Special Olympics
The mission of the Special Olympics is to "provide year-round sports training and athletic competition … for children and adults with intellectual disabilities."
Red Rover
The mission of Red Rover is to "bring animals out of crisis and strengthen the bond between people and animals through emergency sheltering, disaster relief services, financial assistance, and education."
St. Jude's Children's Research Hospital
The mission of St. Jude's is to "advance cures and means of prevention, for catastrophic pediatric diseases through research and treatment."
Children's International
The mission of Children's International is to "help children get the health care, education, life skills, job-readiness training and confidence they need to create lasting change in their lives and communities."
How To Help Nonprofit Organizations
Nonprofits have varying needs depending on how long they've been operating, their number of employees, the individuals they serve, the support they provide, and how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted them.
Below you'll find five ways to show your support to nonprofits, but this is not an exhaustive list.
Once you determine the cause you want to support and the organization you wish to align with, you can visit its website, read its social media profiles, or reach out to the organization directly to determine its needs and how you can help.
Volunteer Your Time
If you can do it safely, consider volunteering your time to a nonprofit organization. This might include fostering an animal from a shelter that's full or packaging meals to be delivered to the elderly.
With many nonprofit fundraising efforts going online, you might be able to identify ways you can volunteer your time from home as well.
Volunteer Financially
Financial donations are always a great way to support nonprofits.
You can donate directly from your own funds — whether it's a few dollars or a few hundred dollars, every little bit helps.
Alternatively, you can raise money to donate to an organization by selling baked goods, mowing lawns, or merely stating that you're raising money for charity.
Social media platforms have made it easier to raise money by allowing you to share a cause and request donations from your social media community.
Donate Your Supplies
Many nonprofit organizations collect supplies to support their community.
Organizations will seek various items, but some common ones include school supplies, nonperishable food items, toys, and clothing/shoes, depending on their missions and the individuals they serve.
The next time you consider throwing something away because you don't want or need it, think about whether a nonprofit organization could make good use of it.
Share About the Cause
If you cannot donate your time, money, or supplies, you can always help nonprofit organizations by merely sharing information about the cause.
That might include talking about the organization to your friends or family or sharing it on social media. The more people know about the nonprofit's work and receive reminders of the support it needs, the better.
Attend a Virtual Fundraising Event
Finally, with many in-person events being canceled or scaled back considerably, some nonprofits are taking their fundraising efforts virtual.
Instead of opting out because it's not what you're used to, give it a try, because your presence can and will make a difference.
