How Can You Support a Chicago Area Charity?

How Can You Support a Chicago Area Charity?

When it comes to supporting Chicago area charities, there are hundreds of options to choose from. Whether you are looking to do some individual financial giving, provide a corporate donation, or give back in a different way, there are many charities that need your help. So how can you choose one from the rest?

Look for a charity that resonates with your ideals

Chicago area charities cover every cause from large to small, both near and far. When choosing a charity to support, look for one that resonates with you personally. People are different and they have different ideals, beliefs, and personal connections to causes. These differences ensure that Chicago’s varied charities are getting some level of support from the community.

Find out where your money goes

Some larger charities only use a small portion of your financial donation to support their cause directly. This is because their size requires a larger financial investment to pay for things like staff, locations, utilities, advertising and more. For those who want the bulk of their money to go directly to those who need it, it pays to inquire about how your money will be spent before donating. For example, a local Chicago kids art organization may use 90% of your donation to pay for things like art supplies for underserved youth. Or they may use that money to pay the tuition for a child who wants to attend an afterschool art program. In either case, you know your money is directly helping those who need it most.

Inquire about what they need

While it’s easy to give money, some charities need things that money can’t buy. This can be mutually beneficial for corporations looking to do a community volunteering event or for individuals who have time but not money. In these cases, look for charities who might need volunteers for a fundraising event, or people to help answer phones, give out flyers, or sort through donations. There are also charities who look to cut out the middleman by requesting supplies instead of the money to buy it. This saves them the time it would take to shop for items and the money it would cost to hire someone to do the shopping. The kids art organization mentioned above might have a wish list for art supplies that can be donated directly to their offices, or they might put a call out for smocks, tables, or chairs. The point is, you can find a charity whose needs fit with what you are able to give.

Stay local

It can be tempting to simply set up a recurring donation with a huge national charity and move on. While this type of giving is totally valid, for those who want to ensure their time, money and energy is being used in an impactful way, it’s better to choose a local organization. This way, you are able to go to the charity in person, meet with the facilitators and really get involved. Sure, you might still end up cutting a check, but you might also discover a way that you can make a direct impact that wouldn’t have been possible by working with a larger charity.