Making room for charity donations in your budget can feel almost impossible. Even before COVID, it was hard for people with tight budgets to do so.

However, there’s no need to panic. You don’t have to take a big chunk out of your budget to make a difference.

One thing to be aware of is that many crowdfunding sources, such as GoFundMe, won’t accept donations under $5.00. A lot of nonprofit organizations are the same. With cards and online wiring now being the preferred way to pay, they often have hidden transaction fees.

The Responsible Way to Giving

1. The best way is to give responsibly is to start with prioritizing the causes that are of utmost importance. For example, if it’s a particular political cause, make related nonprofits or crowdfunding platforms a top priority.
2. It is possible to set up a separate savings account just for donations. Simply deposit a certain amount from the monthly earnings to that account each month. This is especially beneficial for securing recurring monthly contributions.
3. Deciding on something to cut back on may be necessary for those who can’t yet afford to set up that separate account. Something related to entertainment is the most common choice. Or if saving up for something like the next car but don’t care if it’s the newest model, some of that money can be aside for charity.
4. Even if you can only set aside $5.00 or $10.00 for donation, giving anything truly is better than nothing. For balancing the amount, Ellevest recommends the 50/30/20 rule. In other words, putting 50 percent of the monthly budget towards needs, 30 percent to entertainment, and 20 percent toward retirement.
5. If there’s any doubt as to whether the nonprofit organization in question is genuine, check them out with sites like charitynavigator.org or guidestar.org.

Whatever Else is in the Plan, Do Not…

-give indiscriminately to various causes. It’s effortless for a lot of people to give in to emotional appeals. When they do, they can end up sacrificing their whole bank accounts.

-give to random solicitors who e-mail, call, or those who set up tables or stand outside a store, library, etc., with clipboards. Especially do not give to random beggars at gas stations. Many of those are scams or could really be begging for drugs or the sex trade. Sharing a few dollars to a homeless person begging next to stoplights or a highway overpass is the individual’s choice. However, not 100 percent of those are genuine, either.

Peter Palivos is a Las Vegas business owner, attorney, investment manager, developer, and also active in philanthropic and charitable causes.