5 Common Excuses to NOT Donate to Charity

During our daily lives or in the midst of extraordinary circumstances, we often come upon worthy causes to donate to. However, because of one of any number of reasons we fail to make the donation. When you give even a little bit to an organization that helps others, you are making a positive impact. Just as multiple rain drops can cause a flash flood, your few dollars combined with the few dollars that thousands and millions also donate can change lives. So, why do good people hold back from donating when they really want to? Here are the top 5 excuses people use to NOT donate to charity. 1. I don’t have the money to donate. It is true that there are a great many people that cannot afford to donate money. They may in fact need the assistance of some of the great charities that are out there. However, for the rest of us, we can more often than not find the $5 or more to donate to a great charity. There are creative ways to find money to make charitable contributions. Today, skip one gourmet coffee trip. This week, cut out one fast food night and eat at home. Rather than buying snacks at lunch time, save that money and put it to a different use. Cash in your box or bottle of change. Bring lunch to work instead of buying lunch for a day. In short, if you believe in a cause, you can find a way to donate to that cause. 2. I don’t want my money to go towards overhead. We all want to see our dollars go directly to the people that require the assistance. That assistance has to someone reach the people it is intended to help though. Transportation, packaging, and security are just some of the areas that charities must spend dollars to ensure their aid reaches the people it must help. Unfortunately, we still live in a system where those things must be paid for. In the end, it’s more important to donate to a charity that you believe in, and that has the capability of delivering aid to the intended recipients. You should take the time to understand the companies you consider donating to so you have the peace of mind that you are making a difference. Don’t rule out donating altogether because of rumors, unsubstantiated statements or a few proven bad apples. 3. I believe all charities are fraudulent. There have been issues with some companies in the past. Also, there are people that purposely set up charities with the intention of using donations received for their own benefit. However, there are many more big and small charities that are directly helping the people they are intending to assist. When you choose not to donate because of the transgressions of the few, you actually hurt the people you were motivated to assist. Don’t allow a few bad people and organizations stop you from helping the organizations that really do help people. You can be a part of the solution. Do your research, get comfortable with the company you want to donate with, and then follow through. 4. My money won’t help. How can a donation of $5 help anyone? That $5 could be enough to purchase vital medication, food, water, and other supplies that can make a difference in someone’s life. That $5 could be combined with thousands of others that also donated in varying amounts to help a lot of different people. Don’t think of your donation as being the end, but instead as money that will be added to the donations of many others to effect real change. Every dollar helps. You can never donate too little. Decide what’s comfortable for you and your family to donate and make it so. You’ll also feel great once you do! 5. My money is no longer needed. When a crisis abates, and the news cameras go home, people often think that their donations are no longer needed. When issues that were once major seem to be getting better, it may appear that the work of the charity is complete. Often times, nothing can be further than the truth. In many cases, it’s when the major attention is off of the crisis that the real work begins. When a charity forms, there is often much more work to be done than any single charity can fulfill. Don’t decide not to donate because you believe the need has passed. Do your homework and determine for yourself if there is more work to be done. Rather than assume that lack of media attention means all is well, check into for yourself. You will often be surprised at the degree of misery and human plight the world often ignores. Please donate what you can to the causes that touch your heart the most. You feel good when you are giving, because you know that you are helping others to help themselves.