Helpful tips for giving in a time of crisis

This year has been a momentous one as the pandemic shows no signs of winding down. Its impact has been far-reaching. Many San Diegans are suffering not only from the health consequences of COVID-19, but also from its broader consequences affecting the lives and livelihoods of area residents.

If that was not enough, 2020 has also been a year of unprecedented extreme heat, wildfires and hurricanes across the country, bringing devastation to communities.

At times of great need, giving back can provide a tonic for what ails us. It appeals to the angels of our better selves, to come together as a community and support each other with compassion, love and charity in the spirit of our common humanity.

Nonprofits need help

Organizations that provide community safety nets and protect quality of life are on the frontlines of responding to the current crises.

Because of declining revenues from canceled events and programs, local charities need support more than ever.

Many organizations are faced with financial shortfalls and staffing cuts at a time when there is growing demand for their services.

Think small

Recent SANDAG data show that low income, urban neighborhoods of color have been especially hard hit by this year, experiencing the disproportionate impacts of poor air quality, high rates of infection from COVID 19 and rising unemployment.

Many smaller organizations that are based in and serve these communities are best equipped to meet their needs with first-hand knowledge and personal connections to residents.

Before the pandemic hit, some of these organizations were already experiencing declining donations. At this time of need, gifts to smaller, community-based organizations can make a big difference.

Start with connections

Many people wait until the last few months of the year to make charitable donations to nonprofits. While the spirit of giving can bring joy to the holiday season, it can also be overwhelming, as solicitations flood into inboxes and mailboxes. And some find their spirits dampened by aggressive fundraising letters from questionable charities with dubious purposes or improper documentation.

With that mind, start with organizations with which you have a connection — a cause or a charity that has helped you or someone you know, an organization where you have volunteered or one where you know the people involved.

Here are some additional tips to ensure your gifts — whether during the holiday season or throughout the year — really do make a difference.

Make a plan

Given that there are nearly 12,000 nonprofits in San Diego County alone, how do you choose where to give? In addition to starting with organizations you know, it can be helpful to plan your charitable giving.

Each year, pick which nonprofits you want to support and how much you want to give, and then stick to that plan.

Planning your gifts can also help to spread your expenditures throughout the year rather than in one lump, making it easier to balance your giving with other household necessities.

But this year’s pandemic is a reminder that unanticipated disasters may call for additional charitable giving. You can include that kind of giving in your plan.

Having a plan also makes it easier to make good on your commitments to give back. And during times like these, charities are counting on donations more than ever.

Do your homework

While most nonprofit organizations are reputable and provide important services to the community, it is important to remember that some individuals or groups may be unscrupulous or fraudulently seek donations. A simple online search can provide you with relevant information to protect yourself against being conned.

At a minimum, the charity you wish to support should have a physical business location with a mailing address, a website, a tax-id number and a letter of determination from the IRS stating they are a tax-exempt organization.

A trustworthy nonprofit will accept your donation when you are ready to make it and in the manner you wish to give (i.e., credit card, check, mail or online).

The Office of the State Attorney General oversees charities and provides valuable information on its website at oag.ca.gov/charities.

Stay flexible

When giving to a charitable organization, it may feel natural to want to have a say how your gift will be used. However, donations that come with too many restrictions can make it more difficult for a charity to effectively respond to the needs at hand. Nonprofit professionals are experts in their fields, and flexible funding allows them to deploy resources where they can be best used. In most cases, you can direct your gift to general operations or existing programs.

Don’t cut corners

When you support a charity, be willing to pay for the full cost of providing services. The perception that administrative costs or overhead in charities are “bad” has forced many nonprofits to underinvest in their organizations.

Investing in the full cost of an organization’s operations ensures that a nonprofit can pursue new and innovative ways to deliver services, update critical hard- and software, conduct financial audits, provide employee benefits and underwrite other necessary expenditures to operate effectively and efficiently in advancing its mission.

When nonprofits are not properly resourced, their ability to maximize their impact can be stifled. Experts advise that rather than focusing on low overhead as a measure of a “good” charity, look at what the charity accomplishes. If a charity can’t describe the difference it is making, find one that can.