This is the “giving season” – the time of year when many individuals and businesses focus on philanthropy and make their largest contributions to charity. Whether you’ll be donating $25 or $250,000, there are ways to make your giving more effective in this meaningful and generous time of year.
First, consider these facts:
· In the United States, $602 billion will be spent during the season that begins with Thanksgiving and extends through Christmas, Chanukah and Kwanzaa.
· In 2012, U.S. charitable giving totaled $316 billion. Seventy-two percent of this amount came from individuals, 15 percent from foundations, seven percent from bequests and six percent from corporations.
· Nearly thirty percent of all annual giving happens in December, including ten percent in the last two days of the year.
· When it comes to online giving, 22 percent happens on Dec. 30 and 31.
For various reasons, many people make their donation decisions as the year comes to a close. Whether you give throughout the year or wait until year-end, here are some guidelines for effective philanthropy:
Following these steps will help you achieve better outcomes for the causes or organizations you care most about. In addition, reflecting the spirit of the season, it will help you find more joy, meaning and satisfaction in your philanthropy.
Bruce DeBoskey. J.D., is a Colorado-based philanthropic strategist working with The DeBoskey Group to help businesses, foundations and families design and implement thoughtful philanthropic strategies and actionable plans. More at www.deboskeygroup.com