Giving to charity is a wonderful decision both financially and emotionally. Giving opens the doors to receiving. Make a resolution to give to a charity of your choice, then take the time to find a charity that fits your family's giving interests.

Follow these steps to effectively plan your giving strategy this year:

Choose a Charity

  • Use a service like Charity Navigator to find needy charities in your area or around the world.
  • Make a list of charities that you're interested in.

Research Your Charity

  • Research each of the charities in your list. Find out more information about their history and practices.
  • You should only give to charities that you feel comfortable with and that you can trust.

Find Out What the Charity Needs

  • Contact the charity directly to find out what they need. Don't wait for them to contact you!
  • Money donations are the simplest as the charity can use them in a wide variety of different ways.

Give Charitably

  • You can give a one time donation if that's your wish.
  • You can also give on a consistent basis through automatic payments or a payment plan.

Remember the Tax Benefits

  • If you itemize your deductions when you file taxes, you may be able to claim your charitable donations.
  • Not all charitable donations qualify, so speak to your tax representative for advice.