Every one of us wants our life to have meaning. Many of us feel that if we can make a social impact, we would feel more accomplished, content, and satisfied. The same goes for businesses.
More than just imparting a positive image to their brand or saving some taxes, almost all of us have at some point or the other felt the need to help others who are less fortunate than us. This sentiment or feeling is something that is innate in all human beings.
This has prompted us to come forward in times of crisis like the recent pandemic and help each other out. Whether it is through donating clothes or running meal programs or even depositing funds in a crowdfunding campaign, charity is something that a lot of us feel strongly about.
Many people who seriously want to commit to charity get overwhelmed when it comes to the selection process. With so much help required wherever you look, selecting a charity to contribute to can be a daunting experience.
In this article, we list down five tips that can help you pick the right non-profit organization to support. If you are someone that wants to have a social impact on this world, please read till the end.
List of the Top 5 Tips to Help you Pick the Right Non-profit Organization to Support
- Identify your Personal Tastes and Interests-
Studies have shown that more than the cause, donors are likelier to identify with something personal or in their self-interest. A lot of individuals that are now successful but who had lost their parents at an early age are more than likely to support a charity organisation in Singapore that works to provide education, boarding, and health to children abandoned on the streets. Going through a similar struggle helps donors resonate with an area of charity more.
- Research about Charities that are doing Great Work-
While every non-profit out there is looking to raise funds, not all of them are equally committed to helping the less fortunate. This is why if you want to help create a social impact, you need to dig deeper and see the kind of work these non-profits are doing. You are likely to come across as someone inspirational, enthusiastic, and who believes in changing the world for the better. When you meet such a Director or Executive, you know that you can support them.
- Get in touch with the Charity and clear your doubts-
Once you have been able to get a fair idea about the interest and the non-profit organization, the next step is to get in touch directly. All of us might have a ton of questions regarding how our money is going to be used, how will it benefit the cause directly or indirectly and when can we see some evidence in the form of images, videos, and so on? You are well within your rights to ask these questions. A good non-profit will try to address and satisfy all your doubts.
- See the Credentials and ask for References-
At the end of the day, you want to align your name, identity, and funds with an organization that is legit. This means looking at the credentials of the organization and seeing whether they have the licenses, permits, and qualifications to function as a non-profit. You can also ask the non-profit to help you with a list of individuals or businesses that are connected with them. You can ask around and see whether the non-profit has been able to satisfy its requirements.
- Listen to the ‘Voice’ inside your head and trust your instincts-
Many people who would be reading this article, would feel that charity should not take into calculation so many permutations and combinations. Or that it should come from the heart. Yes, it is true that you need to have a clean heart when it comes to charity. However, you should also ensure that you do your due diligence, not for your sake, but for others who could benefit from your actions. You should also listen to your conscience and trust your instincts in this regard.
The Bottom Line
Once you have been able to follow these five tips, you will be able to land on a non-profit that appeals to your and your interests. Helping an individual or an organization has sometimes been acknowledged as the most rewarding feeling in the entire world. There is a reason why so many billionaires of our times have taken the philanthropic pledge to donate their wealth to make our world a better place.