The end of the year has a way of putting generosity front and center. Food drives fill collection bins, Giving Tuesday fills our inboxes, and yearend appeals remind us of needs throughout our community. For those who enjoy supporting local causes, December can also be a natural time to think about the organizations and initiatives they’d like to support in the year ahead.
Meaningful choices
From supporting the arts to contributing to local food banks, charitable giving offers a way to support the places and organizations that make a community special. With so many worthwhile causes to choose from, finding one that reflects your interests can be rewarding.
Perhaps you enjoy local theater, want to support educational opportunities for children, or care about maintaining the natural beauty of the area. Nonprofits offer many ways to get involved, from financial contributions and event sponsorships to volunteering. Families may also enjoy making charitable giving a shared activity, allowing children or grandchildren to help choose a cause.
Shared skills
Giving doesn’t always have to involve a financial contribution. Serving on a nonprofit board, helping organize a fundraiser, or sharing professional expertise can be just as valuable. Accountants, attorneys, marketing professionals, designers, contractors, photographers, and retired executives may have skills that help an organization stretch its resources.
Whether you support one favorite organization or contribute to several, charitable giving can be a meaningful way to stay connected to the people and places that make a community special.
For those exploring a new organization, a quick look at its mission, programs, and volunteer needs can help determine whether it’s a good fit. If tax deductibility is important, be sure to verify the organization’s eligibility and keep appropriate records.
Article originally appeared in November 2026