’Tis the season to give — virtually
By: Thomas G. Bognanno
Tags: Giving Back, Fundraising, Donations, Holidays, Virtual Volunteering

Normally at this this time of year — in between gift shopping and the usual year-end frenzy — many of us look for ways to give back. This year of 2020, however, has been anything but “normal”. That is all the more reason why over these last few weeks as 2020 slips into the historical record, we should count our blessings and channel that energy into as many giving opportunities as possible.

In any other year, you might be out volunteering and participating in festive events at your worksite, school, place of worship and neighborhood or civic organization. Maybe you’d be thinking of making several year-end gifts to support your favorite causes through your church or synagogue, your annual workplace giving campaign, or by attending holiday fundraisers. We all know, however, that none of that will be happening, at least in person, due to the still-rampant COVID-19 impact across the nation.

Most of us by now have discovered ways to create our “new normal” and have managed to carry on despite social distancing, travel and entertainment restrictions, and the specter of temporary layoffs or reduced hours. If we are able, we can also find new ways of giving to others, especially as the needs are greater than ever. We just may need to be creative in how we go about it. Here are a few ideas:

· Donate unused vacation time through your workplace. Our organization allows employees to donate PTO which is converted into a cash donation to nonprofits. With many people unable to travel this year, you may have a lot of unused leave that can go to a good cause. We’ve even named it: take a PhilanthroCation™.

· Identify virtual volunteer opportunities. Our staff are spread out all over the country and yet we volunteered together this fall. It’s easy on our volunteer platform to find virtual opportunities like organizing a wish list or toy drive, creating cards, making calls, hosting a postcard party and more. Plus, we host PhilanthroBreaks™ with our partners, providing an educational work break with a purpose. We also offer a Volunteer on the Spot guide with easy activities you can do virtually like sewing masks or donating supplies.

· Make “drive-by donations.” Wearing a mask and social distancing doesn’t have to stop you from dropping off food, toys, clothing, toiletries, household goods, furniture and more at your local food pantry, shelter or other nonprofit organization. You can participate in local opportunities or through national groups like Samaritan’s Purse Operation Christmas Child, Prison Fellowship Angel Tree, or by making in-kind donations at Salvation Army.

· Support virtual fundraisers on Facebook and other platforms, plus participate in your annual workplace giving campaign, if your organization offers one. If not, find nonprofits to donate to online. We have a large list of trusted, vetted organizations to choose from here and here.

· For more creative donation ideas, check out “51 Ways to Make the World A Better Place,” written by our Chief Communications Officer, Amanda Ponzar.

Yes, 2020 has been brutal, but as the year comes to close, we are still standing. Many people, however, will need our help, now more than ever, to keep going in the new year. The pandemic has severely impacted almost every nonprofit and faith-based entity in the nation. If you can, help them as they continue to help others. Give as much as you can as an act of compassion but also as an affirmation of the hope that lives in all of us. You can read more about how nonprofits are facing increased demands with decreased needs in my Medium piece, “The Covid Catch-22.” Whatever you choose to do to give back, we’re in this together, and it will take all of us, giving back and working together to create the kind of communities and world we want to see.