It’s 2020 and you’ve decided to take a proactive step towards giving. Congratulations! By supporting local charities, you truly can create impact in your community.
Setting a new goal is not always easy, but we’ve compiled our top tips to help you successfully give back in 2020.
Here’s How to Give Back in 2020 –
1. Give to a Cause You’re Passionate About
The first step to give back in 2020 is to determine who you want to give to! Perhaps you already have a charity in mind, and if that’s the case then you’re ready to set up your giving goals. However if you are unsure about who to give to, figuring out your passion is a great starting point.
Consider various issues in your community that you care about or that you’d like to help. We suggest exploring our cause list, which is organized by specific causes you can learn about. Sustainable housing, food security, the environment, and human rights, to name a few, are all included. Explore charities in Vancouver and Victoria that are working hard to create change in their communities. By choosing to support a charity that aligns with your interests, you’ll have a better chance to successfully give back in 2020.
2. Determine How and When to Give
New year, new goals – right? So, let’s get started! Now that you’ve determined what cause you want to give to, the second thing to think about is how to give and when. Take stock of what you have to offer and how you want to give. Donating money is a great way to support charities, but that’s not your only option.
Give In-Kind
In addition to monetary donations, charities also value in-kind gifts such as gently used clothes, accessories and hygienic products for shelters and transition homes. Or, if you’re a business, you can donate a gift card to a charitable silent auction or offer a service for fundraising events. The possibilities are endless and whatever you’re willing to give will make a difference. Just make sure to connect with the charity beforehand to make sure your in-kind donation is something they truly need.
Give Your Time
Another way to give is to donate your time. Volunteering can be a great way to connect with the charity and the work that they do, as well as an opportunity to meet new people and get out into your community. If you have a specific skill, such as accounting or legal work, social media expertise, or are great at building websites and creating online content, you can donate these skills to a charity in need.
Give Money
If you decide that you want to help out financially, consider making cash donations on a regular basis throughout the year. Most charities receive donations during the holiday season, but they need help year-round! By committing to making a monthly donation, you’re helping them get the resources and funding they need throughout the year. The same goes for volunteering or offering your services – consider how much time you’re willing to commit and aim to give your time or services on a regular basis.
A great way to browse through giving opportunities that include in-kind, pro-bono, volunteer and cash donations is to explore the #BrokersOfGood marketplace. It’s a giving gold mine!
3. Bring Your Friends and Rally Your Staff
When it comes to giving, the more the merrier! Whether you’re the owner of a business or an employee, there are many ways to get your staff and/or co-workers involved in doing good.
“80% of employer-supported volunteers believe that group volunteering strengthens their relationships with colleagues.”
If you’re an employee, see if your company already has an employee give-back program in place. Some companies will match employee donations or support volunteer opportunities with paid time off. Share your giving goals with your co-workers and your supervisors to see if you can form a team. This will not only hold you accountable to meet your giving goals, but also create an outlet for team bonding.
If you’re a leader in your company, giving back is a great way to engage your employees, which is ultimately good for your bottom line. A recent stat from Volunteer Canada (2019) found that “80% of employer-supported volunteers believe that group volunteering strengthens their relationships with colleagues.” Starting an employee volunteer program will help you to attract and retain top talent, as well as contribute to a positive company culture.
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