Whether you’re looking to be generous before New Year’s Day (and take the tax write-off) or get started with a recurring giving strategy next year, here are some great apps and services that ensure you’re donating to the right causes and in ways that make the most sense for your budget.

  1. Choose Your Cause If you’re not quite sure where you want to donate just yet, then Charity Navigator (Android, iOS, web) is a popular first stop. I
  2. Write it off now, hand it out later If you’ve got a specific monetary amount in mind, then Givelist (iOS, web) works well to kick-start your philanthropy. You can simply fund your donor account and take the tax write-off immediately, and then distribute it to one or more of the millions of available charities whenever you like.
  3. Stretch Your Dollar Sometimes a little goes a long way. Google’s One Today (Android, iOS) initiative aims to show how much good a single dollar can do, with profiles of U.S.-based nonprofits that showcase what can be done with a buck.
  4. Donate one step at a time No money? No problem. Charity Miles (Android, iOS) tracks your workouts—whether you’re walking, running, or biking—and then donates a little bit (up to 10 cents a mile for bikers; up to 25 cents a mile for walkers and runners) to one of 40 available charities on the platform.
  5. Keep doing what you're doing Even if you have zero interest in charity, no money to spare, and very little motivation to volunteer, there’s still a way you can give back. The AmazonSmile (web) program donates a half-percent cut of each eligible purchase you make to the charity of your choice.

Read the full article about apps that make charity donation easy by Doug Aamoth at Fast Company.