Finding unique gifts for everyone on your list this year is an ambitious task, but giving non-traditional gifts through a charitable organization is a great place to start.
Philips McCarty, president of the nonprofit marketing consultancy Cause Innovation, believes innovative giving is an easy, beneficial option. “Unique charity gifts abound this year. After a challenging economic year, it’s a good time to think about the quality of the gifts we’re giving while remaining smart about budgets. A small donation to a charity can have a tremendous impact in the lives of so many people.”
Consider these creative ways to give back this year:
- Give a gift that can make a difference for future generations. Heifer International (www.heifer.org), a pioneer of alternative giving, has distributed “The Most Important Gift Catalog in the World” for over 25 years. “Most people have no idea what a $20 donation for a flock of geese or $60 for a trio of rabbits can mean to a family. It not only provides them with needed income, but also provides for education and health care,” explains Joedy Isert, Director of Communication & Brand for Heifer International.
- Honor your boss or other mentors in your life by offering guidance to the future leaders. Big Brothers Big Sisters of America (www.bigbrothersbigsisters.org) is the largest mentoring organization in the U.S. While volunteers are always needed, there are many costs in making a match for a Big and a Little. A monetary contribution goes a long way. Honor your mentor with a tribute while giving the gift of mentoring to a young person.
- Contribute symbolically. Find retailers offering ways to give back that don’t impact your checkbook. Macy’s will donate $1 (up to $1 million) to the Make-A-Wish Foundation® (www.wish.org) each time a letter is mailed to Santa at any Macy’s store nationwide. “We have opportunities to give back on any budget.” says Kathy Forshey, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Alliances for Make-A-Wish Foundation of America. “People can donate frequent flyer miles, send a holiday e-card, or even support a special wish through our Adopt-A-Wish® program.”
- Technology makes giving even easier. You can text a donation to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital or add a donation to your purchase at any of the fifty companies sponsoring St. Jude’s Thanks & Giving® campaign. Visit www.tg.stjude.org/partners for a list of the sponsors. Kraft Foods is partnering with Feeding America (www.feedingamerica.org) on the Recipe for Joy campaign. For every e-card sent from www.kraftrecipeforjoy.com by Dec. 31, ten meals will be donated to Feeding America (up to 1 million meals).
McCarty adds, “Fortunately, finding ways to give this holiday season is simple. You can integrate charitable giving into your holiday shopping through cause marketing. For those on a budget, adding a small donation at checkout or purchasing something that gives back is simple, yet impactful.”
