Donating to charity is a great way to get rid of the gently used belongings you no longer need while helping others. But before you gather your items, here are a few mistakes to avoid when donating to charities. Keep reading this article to learn more.
Giving Only at Special Times of the Year
During the holiday season, many of us put aside extra time to help charities. We go through our closets and create piles of gently used belongings that can go to new homes. While this is great, there is no wrong time to donate. Rather than give to charity in bulk once a year, try to make a donation every month or every couple of months throughout the year. This way, people who need your generosity will always have the essentials.
Giving to the Wrong Charities
Sadly, some organizations are not transparent about how much they truly help through their programs or partnerships. This can lead to individuals feeling misled and giving to charities with less-than-positive reputations. You can prevent this by researching a charity or organization before donating to them. We recommend that you investigate:
- their programs
- which communities they serve
- past or upcoming fundraisers
By confirming that it’s an official charity or an organization partnering with charities, you can ensure that everything you give away goes to a good cause.
Not Knowing What To Donate
Another mistake many people make when donating to charity is that they assume the organization will take anything, but this is far from true. Most charities cannot accept everything because some items are too large to store, or may not be sanitary to reuse. For instance, many organizations cannot take large furniture—such as couches—because of the space they take up.
However, most charities happily accept common items such as books, clothing, small appliances, decor, and toys. If you don’t know whether the chosen organization accepts the things you have, check out their website or give them a call.
Donating Due To Pressure
You shouldn’t feel forced to help others. If a charity makes you feel this way, it may be time to take a closer look at its cause. When you continuously donate out of pressure, it’s harder to feel the reward of helping others.
Give only to charities that have values that align with your principles and that never make donors feel forced to give. The right charities won’t pressure you and will graciously accept the items you can provide.
Project B Green
Project B Green is a for-profit organization that partners with local charities. We have various donation centers across Northern Virginia, the District of Columbia, and Maryland. We’ll happily take your gently used clothing, shoes, accessories, books, and more! Your donation can make a beautiful change in your community.