Remember this—a farmer who plants only a few seeds will get a small crop. But the one who plants generously will get a generous crop. You must each decide in your heart how much to give. And don’t give reluctantly or in response to pressure. “For God loves a person who gives cheerfully.” And God will generously provide all you need. Then you will always have everything you need and plenty left over to share with others. – 2 Corinthians 9:6-8 NLT
Why You Should Consider Giving to a Nonprofit
If you’re considering giving to a nonprofit, you might be wondering how to decide which ones to give to, how much, and what happens after you give. Nonprofits are dependent upon the generous donations of people who want to selflessly give and help others. Organizations thrive when individuals and groups connect with their cause, share in the mission and values, and partner together to change the world.
Choosing Which Nonprofit to Give To
You want to be a good steward of the resources God has entrusted to you. It takes careful consideration to know where your money will make the biggest difference. If you’re like most people, there are probably a number of causes that you believe in and want to support. But the reality is, you’ll have to narrow it down to one or a select few.
Begin by weighing out which causes you most resonate with. Do you have experience in any particular areas? Do you have family or friends that would benefit from the cause of a particular nonprofit? The more you connect with the mission of the organization, the more you’ll understand how your donation can make a positive change.
Most nonprofits have websites with all of the relevant information available. Read through the about sections, see what their staff looks like, learn about their programs, look for impact stories, and see if there are any opportunities for donors to volunteer and serve. Beyond this, search for any social media accounts where you’re likely to find pictures and videos of the actual work of the organization happening. If you feel it would be helpful, see if there’s a way to contact the organization to ask questions or talk about where your money goes when you give.
As you broaden your understanding of how each organization uniquely aims to accomplish their mission, narrow down the options to a few you’d like to give to. Pray and ask God for wisdom with identifying one. God wants us to give cheerfully and carefully as we steward our finances, so trust that He’ll answer your prayers for guidance.
How to Give to a Nonprofit
Every nonprofit has slight differences in the way that they fundraise. But the goal is the same––to advance the mission of the organizations and bring real, empowering change to the world. Most organizations have a designated space on their website to be able to receive donations (usually accessible through a “Give” or “Donate” button).
Look over your finances and ask God to help you identify an amount that makes sense for you. Do you want to give regularly? One time? Once you feel settled, it’s time to donate! After you’ve made your donation, see if there’s a place to sign up to receive a newsletter so you can stay connected with the work of the organization.
Make sure you have what you need on your end––receipts for tax deductions, confirmation that your gift went through, and any other relevant documentation. Once all of the practical steps are taken, it’s time to give God praise for being a faithful provider and the most wonderful giver of gifts.
God will bless you for your heart of generosity. He’s leading you in this process and you can be fully confident that He will multiply your giving to do wonderful things!
Related Resource: Give to God What Belongs to God
