Each of us strongly believes in certain political, humanitarian, or environmental causes and in the need to uphold and implement the rights that should be guaranteed to every person in the world. Activists, volunteers, and donors, by donating their time and economic resources, allow non-profit organizations to carry out their work and provide a small but vital piece for the advancement of these causes. New digital tools, however, offer the possibility to do much more. For those who do not have the necessary resources in terms of time and money or want to increase their support for an organization that is committed to a cause they care about, today one finds numerous opportunities that are worth exploring.
CSR – Corporate Social Responsibility
Corporate social responsibility is the principle according to which business owners and directors, employees and customers, together can create shared value. Attention and awareness towards social and environmental issues can be transformed into a commitment to give back to society through the value that is derived from business. If you are at the head of a company, your company can be part of a CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) platform through which it can involve employees in support of a social cause, transforming your good intentions into a proactive corporate welfare action.
Vouchers for welfare services
Your company can also choose to pay employees welfare vouchers. Among the welfare services it is possible to add the humanitarian organization that is most dear to you. In this way the employee can decide to donate the indicated sum to an organization of its choice.
Charity Cashback
By shopping online through PayPal or on some other e-commerce platforms you can automatically activate the donation for the organization you want to support. One could for example donate 1 euro or choose the option according to the supplier where a percentage of one’s purchase is donated to the organization without any additional charges. Through social media you can share your action by spreading the link to a campaign, becoming a fundraiser and helping organizations reach more and more people.
Solidarity e-commerce
With a small donation you can purchase gadgets and merchandising online or you can place our products to be included on your e-commerce site. You can find MOAS merchandise on https://worthwearing.org/store/moas-migrant-offshore-aid-station
Fundraisers
You can activate a fundraising campaign on the occasion of your birthday, your graduation, your wedding or at any time of the year on https://www.moasfundraising.com/ and on our Facebook page. You can also organize a physical fundraiser, create an event, a charity dinner or on an event that is already scheduled, involving one’s friends and colleagues and with a small donation each, you can collect money for the organization of your choice giving added value to the moment shared together. Finding sponsorships at sporting events, among the companies you know or in your business is another good way to raise funds without spending anything.
Tax
Many countries offer opportunities to donate part of one’s taxes to locally registered charities or to engage in schemes that offer the opportunity to support charities through regular public engagement. Talk to a local branch of your charity to find out more about how you can funnel government funding to charities without a cost to you.
MOAS is participating in Italy’s tax contribution scheme Cinque Per Mille and has tax-status in USA, UK, Germany and Malta also. Check with your tax schemes or state contribution mechanisms to see how you can participate. For more information: https://www.moas.eu/it/5×1000/
Apps/Browsers
Lots of games, apps and browsers donate ad revenue to their chosen charities. Some charities have even set up their own games or apps where your engagement creates funding just for playing. These mechanisms all function in a similar way- the more you use the app/site the more ad revenue is generated, which in turn become donations for the cause.
Promotion/Advocacy
Don’t underestimate the power of your online community. Every organization is looking to spread its reach and find new supporters through social media. Following charities like MOAS and sharing their fundraising appeals, blogs or operational updates can greatly increase their impact by exposing new donors to their content. An act as simple as sharing an article is a real act of solidarity. You can also nominate your favourite organization for awards and programs that can ensure recognition, funding, or increased visibility.
Legacy Giving
If you don’t want to donate now, but think you’d like to leave a gift to your favorite charity in your will, then Legacy Giving might be for you. It’s important to check how Legacy Giving works in your own country, as some have laws to govern the practice and ensure gifts of this kind are freely given.
Here’s MOAS’ beginners guide to Legacy Giving. Reach out for more information at [email protected]
To follow MOAS’ content be sure to check us out on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, LinkedIn and sign up to our newsletter.
For a donation go to https://www.moas.eu/donate/ .