Support Small Charities That Align with Values
The Art of Good Deeds is a book to turn charity-giving on its head. Today, many celebrities and businesses preach of giving to good causes. You only have to go into a supermarket, and you are asked to press a ‘give’ button (often to animal-testing charities, when many of us only give to humane medical research).
This book explores alternative ways to make a difference, rather than wearing silly red noses, to campaign for big charities that perhaps don’t make as much a difference, as the tiny charities that are nameless and anonymous, but make better use of money.
Comic Relief has tattooed images of poverty in Africa, to the point where few of us can escape the guilt of not donating.
One billion African people are filtered into two categories: corrupt politicians with Saville Row suits and Swiss bank accounts. Or poverty-stricken mothers swarmed by flies, their children’s stomachs swollen by hunger. David Lammy
Many people love to donate to small charity, but are put off if bombarded with letters and emails, once they start to give.
And many people like to donate to different causes, and then feel guilty if they choose a different cause each month, when being asked by previous charities to donate again.
Work for Good makes business giving to charity easy.
How to Donate Anonymously to Charity
Giving should be private anyway. Sign up with Charities Aid Foundation (or just tick the ‘anonymous box’ for one-off donations). Once registered, you can donate to who you like, and your details won’t be passed on. It also runs a bank account for small charities.
This idea was to help stop situations like happened with Olive, a kind widowed poppy seller in Bristol. Although she had depression anyway, she jumped off a bridge in her 80s.
It was later found that she had given to big charities, who had sold her name to others. She was giving nearly all her income away, responding to hundreds of requests for donations.
And the amount of money being asked for big companies and supermarkets, is likely not at the same ratio as they give, considering their billions in profits.
Please stop asking me to donate money to various causes, with every self check-out. I’m not the one making billions in profits, you are. If you feel the need to do good, how about you donate on my behalf? Unbelievable. (social media user)
But everyday actions can make just as much a difference. Large donations or grand gestures don’t have to be at the cornerstone of making a difference.
Choose Charities That Align with Values
Supporting small charities can make a real difference, if they align with your values. Tiny charities often work tirelessly within communities, but are often overlooked in favour of larger more visible charities.
Choose small charities that reflect your beliefs, so your contributions (whether time, money or skills) create a powerful impact.
To seek the best charities to give to, first understand your own core values, and what matters to you. Never donate to big unethical charities, just because everyone else does (or a ‘chugger – charity mugger’ approaches you on the street, and guilts you into giving).
If you care about animal welfare, don’t give to animal-testing charities and instead donate to humane medical research. Likewise there are plenty of ways to help local wildlife rescues and animal shelters abroad (or even animals caught up in war zones).
If you care about the planet, don’t donate to charities that spend your money sending ‘free plastic pens’ made from oil. If you care about how your money is spent, don’t donate to charities that spend thousands of pounds on TV campaign ads.
Researching Small Charities
Once you know your values, it’s time to find small charities that match them. They may not have big marketing budgets, so finding them may take more effort.
Start by entering your charity focus (and area if apt) at Find That Charity. It will bring up big charities first, but also smaller registered ones. Then look each one up at the government’s Register of Charities. This will tell you what their income/expenditure is, and if anyone earns over £60,000.
Finally, find out if the charity tests on animals. Animal Aid has an extensive list (green charities don’t test, and red charities do).
No-Brainer Way to Raise Funds for Charities
easyfundraising is a great way to raise money, as it donates money to your favourite causes, from items you already buy.
Just sign up, and if you shop at one of the 6000 brands (from local zero waste shops and indie brands to Amazon and Argos), you donate simply from buying train tickets to laptops to insurance.
Retailers pays a set fee or percentage, depending on their policy. Donations are sent to charities each quarter, and the service does not affect loyalty points.
Local Giving is a good website set up by a former guest on Channel 4’s Secret Millionaire, who wished to make a long-term difference.
For around £12.50 a month, tiny charities can list on the professional site with good traffic, and get listed by area for people to find local tiny causes. Registered charities also can set fundraising targets, use AI-generated grant applications, have Gift Aid taken care of and receive friendly expert support.
Gift Aid lets charities claim an extra 25p on each £1 donated, at no cost to you. You can include all donations from the last 4 years, but must tell charities, if you stop paying enough tax (there are special rules for high-rate taxpayers). The government page is complicated to understand, but perhaps that’s the point.
