Remember those year-end holiday gifts you made to nonprofits? Yes, those gifts, that are now a distant memory as we approach the mid-year point. These organizations provide services to our communities every day of the year. In turn, these nonprofits need the support of all of us who are able to lend a hand to lift those who are walking down a path they would never have chosen.
Working in the nonprofit field for more than ten years gave me an appreciation of the work these organizations do each and every day of the year. Staff, volunteers, and beneficiaries of nonprofit services are grateful for the generous year-end cash donations, gifts, and volunteer time. Once the holiday spotlight on nonprofits dims, however, the nonprofit staff and volunteers continue to work diligently to help strengthen communities by providing a wide array of services for those in need.
I reached out to a number of leaders in Maine’s nonprofit community to ask them how to best support the nonprofit community as it carries out its mission throughout the year.
Kristen Miale, President of Good Shepherd Food Bank, suggests a number of ways to get involved in the work of nonprofits:
- Money – the obvious answer, but it truly is our greatest need. It costs us more than $500,000 to move the more than 1.7 million pounds of food we distribute every month of the year.
- Time – we rely on volunteers to help us inspect and sort the donated food we receive. On average, volunteers provide over 2,000 hours a month, or the equivalent of 6 additional staff. If someone cannot get to our Auburn location, they can also volunteer at their local food pantry.
- Food – surprisingly this is not our biggest need from individuals. Most of our food comes from retailers, wholesalers, and manufacturers as they are able to provide tens of thousands of pounds of food at a time. Unfortunately this speaks to the need of the problem we serve. If individuals would like to host a food drive or donated unwanted items from their homes, we encourage them to connect with their local food pantry, which they can find using our food map.
Barbara Reinertsen, Executive Director of United Way of Mid Coast Maine, would “encourage people to think about what kind of human need speaks most strongly to them. What would they feel really good about helping to accomplish? Unless you already have personal knowledge or a favorite charity, it’s good then to do a little research as to the non-profits that are effective doing that work.” Reinertsen reminds us that “While it can be satisfying to donate tangible items (food, furniture, etc.), please check with the agency first to make sure they can use the item. While you have a great impulse, many organizations do not have the space, time, or distribution method to get items out to the person who could use them, an so this could be an exercise in frustration for all involved.”
Barb Wentworth, President and CEO of United Way of York County, suggests that “Volunteers are always needed and GetConnected is a great place to start for ideas and opportunities. Also, something that doesn’t get much airplay, is folks reaching out to their local town hall to see what needs there are in their own community (including committees, boards, events, etc).” Wentworth also notes that “Donating items to Goodwill or Habitat for Humanity Restores is a double win – someone gets some cool stuff for a song and the organizations have additional resources to carry on their mission work. Calling 2-1-1 or the local United Way can also be another way to find out where what they have to donate can best be utilized.”
Scott Schnapp, Executive Director of Maine Association of Nonprofits, and his staff have compiled a list of offers up 10 Ways to Support a Nonprofit:
| 1. Volunteer – Pick an organization, any organization. You can lend a hand once a week, once a month, or on a one-time-only project. Not sure where to begin? Give this volunteer site for Maine nonprofits a try and see what catches your eye. | 6. Take time to learn about the crucial role nonprofits play in our communities – Did you know that one in every seven workers in Maine works for a nonprofit? Learn about the history of Maine’s nonprofits, and why they are a crucial part of Maine’s business community. Our website is a great place to start. | |
| 2. Make a donation – Nonprofits develop business models with diverse income streams that include contributions from individuals and businesses that recognize the value of their work. Consider supporting organizations whose work you value. | 7. Advocate – Anyone can lobby for the good work of nonprofits. Write a letter to your legislator. Speak to your neighbors and coworkers. Nonprofits appreciate and rely on you to take on an active role as a member of the community. | |
| 3. Make a wish come true – Donations can be about more than money. Call or check out the website of a nonprofit that’s providing services to the community to find a wish list of items they could use. You might make it a family project. Consider adopting a nonprofit and providing them with just one ongoing wish from their list for an entire year. You might even find this to be a great way to get involved on a longer-term basis with an organization. | 8. Engage with your community – The nonprofits you care about are tied into their communities as part of a strong network. See a connection you could help make? A volunteer program or a wish list your business could support? Your efforts to make those connections work can help strengthen the fabric of the community you call home. | |
| 4. Serve on a nonprofit committee – Maybe you’re good at planning events, or reading spreadsheets. Nonprofits rely on the efforts of many people to share their workload, and committee members are a vital force. | 9. Share your talents – Consider sharing your skills with a nonprofit. Access to graphic designers, writers, event planners and many other professionals can be hard to budget. Smaller nonprofit organizations often have limited resources, so if you’ve got the time, a nonprofit will most certainly have the need. | |
| 5. Serve on a board – Nonprofits are governed by volunteer boards of directors, all charged with the role of acting in the best interests of the organization. The work is rewarding, and will give you a stronger commitment to an organization and to the community it serves. | 10. Thank a nonprofit – If an organization has reached out to you this past year, or does great work in your community, take the time to say thank you. That is without a doubt an essential gift you can make. |
Please take a few minutes to assess the needs in your community. Find a role within an organization that’s aligned with your interests. There’s no better feeling than realizing that you’re making a difference by helping someone through a tough time!
Thanks to all of you who support the good work of the nonprofits in your community. If there’s a nonprofit doing some outstanding work in your community, please let me know. I’d love to help share that organization’s story.
Excellent suggestions on how to support non-profits. Best to find a way that fits in with your own commitments and available time.
Thanks Roz for making good points. And – most nonprofits can find something to fit just about any schedule and interest. Then the magic happens!
I have the deepest respect, admiration and appreciation for non-profits. If it wasn’t for them the world would be so much more worse off. Non-profit organisations are the fibre that holds communities together. They enrich our lives in immeasurable ways that have far-reaching consequences, not just for our generation but future generations as well.
I love this post Deb that will hopefully serve to encourage people to get involved with non-profits. Each one, teach one and so, the world gets better. 🙂
Agree with your take that nonprofits hold community together. There are so many organizations and people working behind the scenes to get help to people when they need it – staff, volunteers, donors.
I definitely am more inclined to give financial donations to causes that are dear to my heart, Deb. And yes, I do try to spread them out throughout the year, however, a lot of my donations are sent in November and December. I also do try to bring awareness by signing petitions and contributing to crowd sourcing initiatives and sometimes I contribute by including things that are important to me into my writing as well. Great post offering awareness on how we can become more involved with the non-profit sector throughout the year.
Thanks for your comment, Beverley. There are so many ways to help – glad you are so involved in helping build awareness and support of the nonprofit community!!
I love this! Having come from the nonprofit world myself, I am so in agreement with these points. Nonprofits do need help all year around but many people forget after the holidays. On the other hand, nonprofits don’t always do the greatest job maintaining momentum throughout the year. One-time asks are not enough to sustain one’s operations. In order to truly serve program participants, there needs to be regular asks and multiple funding sources tapped throughout the year. Even gifts-in-kind only go so far. Nonprofits always have monetary needs. It is definitely a best practice to ask what other items are on the wish list so you aren’t donating something that can’t necessarily be put to immediate good use.
Maintaining momentum throughout the year seems to be a challenge for nonprofits – balancing all they’ve got to do and being respectful of donors and volunteers is no easy task. Lucky for nonprofits, people are incredibly generous with time, talent, and dollars.
Hi Deb,
Wow, 10 great reasons to support non profit agencies!! Thanks for sharing 🙂 Great post!
Hi Deb!
I donate to the Red Cross, as I find their work invaluable for emergencies in our area, country, and even around the world. So I like them so much for coming through at times when people need them the most. Thank you for the excellent tips on how to volunteer properly and to be most helpful. Best 🙂
Great that you’ve found an organizations whose work resonates with you. Once you know where you want to donate time / energy / funds, that organization can also help find the best way for you to be involved.
Great post. I’ve had many different levels of interaction with non profits. I’ve work as a coach and facilitator for many non profits and NGOs (non government agencies), but in North America and in Africa. I’ve volunteered as a Big Sister and Red Cross Youth Adviser. And my parents have received services from some local non profits.
Your suggest are great, particularly the volunteer part. It is very reward to step in to volunteer roles and see the difference that you can make.
Non profits do have a problem raising and often managing money. Their staff are attracted to the “cause”, not the “business” of running an organization. A non profit is a business and the ones that are good at setting goals and managing a budget are the ones that see the best results.
Thanks for the comments, Heather. Volunteering is a great way to see how nonprofits are run, and to learn where your time can best be spent. And, yes, it continues to be a challenge to raise and manage funds even in this world of abundance. Somehow, thankfully, a lot of good work still gets done:)