(5 minute read)
No matter where you are in your debt-free journey, you probably feel like after tightening up your expenses, there is nothing left for you to donate to your favorite charities, which can be disappointing. But have no fear there are ways you can donate that don’t cost you money (and even some that might MAKE you money). This list is just a starting point but read on to find the five ways to donate to charities that don’t cost you money!
1. Donate while you walk, run, or bike!
Have you heard of the Charity Miles app? If not, download it for your mobile device today! You generate a donation every time you walk, run, or take a bike ride. You can raise 10 cents per mile biked, and 25 cents per mile walked or ran, and donations go to any one of the many charities that you can pick from when you sign up.
To give you an example, in April 2020 I logged nearly 60 miles just walking my dogs, and that alone earned $15 for “She’s the First” charity – an organization that finds, funds, and supports solutions that not only educate and empower girls but also build up the communities where they can flourish. Log your first walk today and see what you can do (for free!) for your favorite charity.
2. Donate something life-saving.
Blood – bet you didn’t expect this one on the list. However, blood donations are ALWAYS needed. Someone in the U.S. needs blood every two seconds, and one in ten patients who show up to a hospital will need blood. So why not donate something your body continues to make regularly? As someone with O negative blood (the universal blood type), I try to donate at least four times a year. And as a bonus, depending on the blood drives in your area, you could receive free food or even money. For my last three donations, I received a $10 visa card, a $10 Amazon card, and a free meal at a local taco restaurant.
Now I don’t donate blood for the perks, and no one should take blood donation lightly (no pun intended but make sure to check with your doctor to see if you are fit enough to donate blood regularly), but this life-saving measure could change someone’s life, and it doesn’t cost you a cent.
3. Donate while you shop.
Did you know when you shop on Amazon, you can pick a charity that receives a donation when you purchase something? When I shop on Amazon for things I already planned to buy (this is KEY to making this charitable donation not cost you anything extra), Amazon donates 0.5% of the price of my eligible AmazonSmile purchases to the charitable organization of my choice. Just start your shopping at smile.amazon.com, or you can download a handy chrome extension so you can always start your shopping trip from there.
The charity I picked on Amazon is Danny & Ron’s Rescue. They are a pet rescue organization in my state of South Carolina, and I have already generated a $28.85 donation to them to date. I also recently switched to this charity because I try to update the charity I donate to once a year.
4. Donate something life-changing.
Clothing items such as suits, shoes, and socks can significantly impact someone’s life. If being home during this time has made you re-evaluate all your business clothes (or if you have been holding onto something that doesn’t fit anymore), consider donating it to an organization that takes interview-worthy clothes. Having a nice clean suit for an interview can make or break getting employed by that company. Also, when you donate items, they are tax-deductible (you know those things that help lower your income to reduce your overall tax burden), so make sure to get a receipt. Then at the end of the year, you can add up all your donations and save some money come tax time that you don’t have to pay Uncle Sam!
Don’t have a suit but you’ve been in the market for a new pair of shoes or need some new socks? Consider buying Toms or Bambas. Each company donates a pair when you buy a pair, so your purchase automatically comes with a donation. Reminder: it isn’t a free donation if you didn’t already budget for new shoes or socks, so make sure to make these kinds of contributions when they are already part of your budget.
5. Donate something rich but free.
Your time. Offer to help unload donations at a woman’s shelter or pick up a shift at your local food pantry. As we all know, time is money, so one of the most valuable yet free things that you can donate is your time. To find charities that would love the donation of your time, check out VolunteerMatch, where you can search for volunteer opportunities based on your location.
Donating doesn’t always have to be about money, and it doesn’t have to be complicated. If you’ve felt called to contribute to your community, but you have felt unable to because you don’t have any wiggle room in your budget, remember that some of the best things you can donate don’t cost you money. Hopefully, these five ways to donate to charities that don’t cost you money inspired you to give today. If I missed something on this list, let me know! Comment below or reach out to me on Instagram @marry.your.money and let me know if you have something to add! As always, live today doing what makes you happy and healthy!
Xoxo,
Amy
