With so many nonprofits out there, the process of selecting the ideal organization can often feel daunting. How can you ensure your donation will create a sustainable impact? To maximize the holistic impact of your generosity, think objectively and consider these three approaches.

Three Donation Approaches

Choose A Multi-Faceted Organization

One effective way to create a holistic impact is to support an organization that has a multi-faceted approach to its cause. If the organization tackles a specific issue, such as global poverty, are the complexities considered in its program implementation?

For example, Global Brigades partners with rural communities in Central America and Ghana to accomplish health and economic goals, utilizing micro-finance, business, WASH (water, health, sanitation, and hygiene), and health program development. This community-driven approach targets the root cause of health and economic challenges.

While researching the organization you can often tell whether or not their cause is addressed with a quick fix or band-aid approach, which may delay the resolve of the true underlying problem.

Set Up Recurring Donations

Recurring donations help build an organization’s revenue and can help scale project implementation to a larger level. In addition, an organization is better able to budget and allocate their resources based on what they’re anticipating. Your consistent contributions help yield realistic expectations for an organization's budget plans.

Give Time

You can also create a holistic impact by giving your time. Whether you pick-ax and shovel trenches for the pipes of a water system, sit on an organization’s board, or pack medications for pharmacy distribution, working side-by-side with other volunteers is invaluable.

Donating your time helps bring life to the cause you’re supporting. The experiences can provide you with lasting memories and the relationships you form can inspire and motivate future involvement with an organization.

If you give, give well. Consider the steps you can take in order to ensure your donation causes a positive and sustainable ripple effect. Take pride in the lasting outcomes of your generosity and celebrate the holistic impact it will make!

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Original contribution by Alexa Boldt, Marketing Manager at Global Brigades.