Proper Etiquette for Donating to Charity

Many people feel virtuous when they take a bag of used clothing to a local thrift shop, drop a few pennies into a collection bucket or spend a few hours volunteering at a shelter, but how appropriate are those charitable contributions? We've all heard the phrase "beggars can't be choosers" but when we're donating our possessions, money, or time to charity, doing so in a polite and responsible way makes the contribution much more valuable and worthwhile.

Material Donations

Donating used clothing, appliances, furniture, toys, and other items to local thrift stores or collection drives is one of the easiest and most common forms of charity. At the same time, however, it is also one of the most abused. Non-profit organizations regularly receive donations of broken, worthless, and useless material that they cannot refurbish or sell, and instead of that contribution being helpful for the organization it causes them greater expense in processing time and disposal costs. The adage "one man's trash is another man's treasure" does not apply to items that truly have no further useful purpose, and proper etiquette dictates that charitable donations be helpful to the organization they are meant to benefit.

To ensure that your donations are appropriate...

*Only donate items in useful condition. They don't have to be new or perfect, but they should be serviceable. If possible, complete minor repairs or mending before donating.

*Clean all items, including clothing, before donating. If an item is badly stained, discard it rather than making a useless donation.

*Keep items of a set together, such as puzzle pieces, games, or dishes. This includes cords, instruction manuals, and spare parts where applicable. Label parts if necessary.

*Donate seasonal holiday items just a few weeks before the holiday so the store does not need to use their very limited space to store out of season donations.

*When donating food to a soup kitchen, shelter, or food bank, only donate unopened items, preferably foods that you would be willing to eat yourself.

Financial Donations

Many people prefer to make financial donations to their favorite charities: all charities can use money, right? While it is true that financial donations are welcome, rude or inconsiderate behavior can often result when donating patrons have misconceptions about the effects of making financial donations.

*"Suggested" donations for car washes, museums, and non-profit centers may not be mandatory fees, but the totals requested often undershoot the value of the service and are far from adequate to assuage the organization's costs. To make your donation really count, offer a higher contribution.

*Many organizations offer gifts or token items such as a mug, t-shirt, address labels, gift bags, or other products in exchange for contributions. If you do not want the item, request that the equivalent monetary cost be used to further support the organization.

*When you make a charitable contribution to a specific organization or facility, you are not "owed" anything as a sponsor. While many organizations will honor patrons who donate significant funds, do not demand additional services or preferential treatment because of your donation. Anonymity makes charity all the sweeter and more meaningful.

Time Donations

Volunteering your time to help serve a charitable organization is often the best way you can donate. Many non-profit charities are understaffed and cannot hope to meet the needs of their community or fulfill their mission statements without the willing help of able volunteers.

When you donate your time to a good cause...

*Be professional, polite, and punctual. Many organizations count on volunteers to fill shifts or support special events, and if you are late or rude your behavior will reflect poorly on the organization and may result in fewer donations from other individuals.

*Do what needs doing, not what you feel like doing. Many charities have a variety of tasks that need to be done, from customer service to manual labor to endless paperwork. Offer your skills to work in whatever capacity can best serve the organization, even if it isn't a task you prefer.

*If you have professional or hobby skills to offer, let the organization know what you are willing to do. A hair stylist can volunteer free haircuts at a homeless shelter, a web designer can create a website for their favorite charity, or a quilter can help make colorful blankets for a children's hospital ward.

Donating to charity is a wonderful way to help out your neighbors, community, and many worthwhile causes, but a poor donation is often worse than no donation at all. Be aware of the proper etiquette for donating to charity, and you can be sure your contributions are both valuable and valued.