The holiday season is here, bringing several opportunities to give back and support causes that truly matter. With countless options ranging from local grassroots organizations to established national nonprofits, it’s easy to feel unsure about where to begin. Due to the overwhelming amount of information, some people pause on giving altogether.
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Fortunately, there are helpful resources designed to make finding the right charity easier. Here are some tips to help individuals narrow down their options and feel confident in the contributions they make this holiday season.
Designated Tools to Help You Find the Right Charity
Websites like Charity Navigator can be a great first step when exploring charitable organizations. Their search tools allow you to browse causes that align with your personal values and view detailed charity ratings across categories like Impact & Measurement and Culture & Community. The site also features a new AI-powered tool that offers personalized recommendations and data-driven insights to help guide your giving.
Social Media Vetting
Upon finding an organization that speaks to you, it’s important to verify its legitimacy. Double check website URLs and do a deep dive into the organization’s social media platforms to make sure you’re supporting a reputable non-profit, not an impersonator. The Charity Navigator website also includes a “Protect Your Giving” section designed to help donors avoid scams and ensure their money is going to the right place. As a best practice, always make donations through the organization’s official website rather than third party links or posts.
How to Measure Success by Asking the Right Questions
Consider asking how many families a charity has served, how many supplies they’ve distributed, or what measurable difference they’ve made. These answers can help you visualize their success.
Additionally, it can be reassuring to know if other large businesses and/or nonprofits in the area support them – this likely means the organization has already been vetted by others in the community. For example, at Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, we thoroughly vet all the nonprofits that we support through our grant program. If you are looking for some great organizations in the Valley this holiday season, check out our grant recipients who are listed in this AZ Big Media article.
Give Back, Get Dollar for Dollar Back
The Arizona Charitable Tax Credit offers individuals a chance to support families in need without incurring additional costs. Each dollar you donate can be credited back on your tax return. For more information, you can review the Arizona Department of Revenue website for charities or schools to donate to that align with your passions, and then check if you’d get each dollar you give back on your tax return.
Giving back isn’t just about helping others; it’s also about finding causes that inspire you. With the right resources and a little research, you can discover charitable organizations that you feel honored to support and join a nationwide effort to spread generosity this holiday season.
Author: Jordan Moreno is the director of charitable giving for Lerner & Rowe Gives Back. In the past three years, she has helped the nonprofit launch its inaugural grant program, first-ever Charities-Reception, and raise over $3 million. Lerner & Rowe Gives Back, the nonprofit arm of Lerner & Rowe Injury Attorneys, is a 501(c)(3) organization dedicated to its mission of making a difference in the lives of people in need by giving back to the community. It was founded by Kevin Rowe, managing partner of Lerner & Rowe, P.C., who wanted to show his daughter the values of humanity and to help those less fortunate. The organization helps redirect youth, comfort those in pain and give hope to those in need by serving through three charitable arms: youth programs, health and human services, and public safety. It accomplishes these goals by raising money through an annual Charity Golf Classic and annual Cornhole Tournament, grant program, and volunteer events such as an annual backpack drive and annual Thanksgiving meal giveaways. For more information, please visit lernerandrowegivesback.org.
