It’s ’The Giving Season’ - Here Are Some Simple Ways To Contribute
Many people feel extra generous during the holiday season, while also looking to make year-end donations for tax benefits. Here are some ways you can make an impact this giving season.
Why is this? Research from psychology and neuroscience suggests certain factors which increase motivations to give may be particularly powerful during the festive period.
It’s been over a decade since a team of neuroscientists first looked at brain activity using an fMRI scanner while people made decisions whether or not to give to charity. In that study and others done since, a key finding is that giving to charity activates the regions of the brain involved in processing rewards. For example, the same regions are active during donating as during receiving money, eating nice food and taking addictive drugs. This finding is interpreted as the neural basis of the warm fuzzy feeling or “warm glow” people get from giving.
Giving This Season, Even In the Simpliest Ways (*And all year-round):
1. MAXIMIZE YOUR PURCHASING POWER.
Many banks and credit card companies offer charitable giving cards, which make donations to nonprofit organizations with every purchase.
2. SERVE A HOLIDAY MEAL.
Most soup kitchens and shelters serve special holiday meals to hundreds of people. Carve out a few hours of your family’s day to wash dishes, ladle gravy, or welcome folks in from the cold with a warm smile and hot drink.
3. MAKE CHANGE.
Now’s the time to grab that old cookie jar of quarters and dimes, bring it down to the bank or coin machine, and donate the proceeds to a food bank or shelter.
4. CLEAR OUT YOUR DRAWERS.
You may not have much use for a $3.57 gift card, but someone else will. Round up your near-empty gift cards, especially those for office-supply and grocery stores, and call local schools and shelters to see if they want them.
5. PHONE IT IN.
Making small donations is easier than ever in the Internet age. Many nonprofits offer a text-to-donate option, which is as easy as dialing a few numbers while you’re waiting in line at the coffee shop.
6. BUY A FEW EXTRA CANS OF SOUP.
Nonperishables drives are happening everywhere you look this time of year. Add a few cans of soup or tuna or jars of peanut butter to your shopping cart. You may even be able to donate them at the grocery store cash register, via neighborhood can drives.
7. SHARE THE FUZZY WEALTH.
You know your pet is the cutest and the best. Why should you keep all that love to yourself? Call around to nearby senior centers to see if residents might enjoy a visit from your fur baby.
8. DOUBLE THE RECIPE.
By the same token, if you’re famous for your brownies, now’s the time to spread the joy around. Host a charity bake sale, or just offer a little home-baked comfort to those in need. We recommend skipping the nuts to ensure your goodies will be welcome in a wider variety of places.
9. DONATE YOUR KNOW-HOW.
Many public libraries and schools offer services like resume review and job training. Are you a great copyeditor or a computer whiz? A few hours of your time could make a world of difference in your community.
10. THINK TOILET PAPER.
Most donations to soup kitchens and homeless shelters are food-oriented, but there’s a lot more they need. The most sought-after items are often not edible at all, but toiletries like shampoo, soap, feminine hygiene products, toothpaste, and toilet paper. Check in to find out what the centers near you could really use.
11. DOUBLE YOUR MONEY.
Your charitable donations could be going twice as far. Find out if your employer offers donation matching; many do. And if they don’t, ask if they’d consider it.
12. START AT HOME.
When we think about giving back, we often think of strangers, but our friends and family all have needs of their own. Offer your overworked brother a few hours of free babysitting, or give your granddad a ride to the doctor’s office. Little acts like these can go a long way.
13. BE A GOOD NEIGHBOR.
By the same token, now’s a great time to get to know your neighbors. Shoveling a walkway, signing for a package, or minding a potted plant for a few days could be a huge help.
14. GIVE LIFE.
Giving blood costs you nothing, generally takes less than an hour, and could mean the difference between life and death for someone else. Keep an eye out for blood drive posters or head down to a donation center today.
15. FILL THOSE PENCIL CASES.
School budgets are tighter than they used to be, and many teachers end up buying their own pencils, craft supplies, and books. See if your neighborhood school has a wish list, or call up a favorite teacher and volunteer to do a little shopping.
Giving With ‘Pinot’s Palette’!
The “season of giving” never truly ends. Any time of year is the right time to really consider our roles in helping local and global communities. Pinot’s Palette has hosted charitable paint nights for most of its nine-year history. From national fundraisers for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, to city-wide Painting It Forward events for the SPCA, to local paint nights for autism awareness, Pinot’s Palette locations across the entire US have partnered with countless amazing non-profits to benefit entire communities.
'Painting It Forward' events are paint and sip classes with an extra dose of heart and soul. When you buy a seat in a 'Painting It Forward' class, you're making a donation to a nonprofit or community fundraiser. To join a painting fundraiser, look for the events marked with an orange heart on your studio’s calendar. (And if you’re part of a 501(c)3 non-profit and you’re interested in hosting a painting fundraiser or awareness event, reach out to your local studio to talk options!)
We're proud to partner with amazing non-profit organizations and local charities that help our communities. Whether we're hosting an event at our location or donating items to help your organization grow, we can work together. Learn how to become a part of Painting it Forward by contacting a studio near you.
At Pinot’s Palette, we’re enthusiastic about supporting and bettering our communities. From national fundraisers for children’s research hospitals, to city-wide events for the SPCA involving multiple studios, to local paint nights for scout troops and family fundraisers, Pinot’s Palette has partnered with countless amazing non-profits and individuals in countless ways.
Painting It Forward events are paint and sip classes where proceeds go to the partner organization, usually a 501(c)3. They can be private events with a select guest list, or public classes that are open to your whole community. We’ll also work with your organization to set up other details – like silent auctions, catering, custom paintings or other important details.
It's one of the easiest (and most fun) ways to raise money! Our studios have beautiful spaces equipped with all the details you'll need, including audio equipment, ice buckets and helpful staff to help guide your guests. For extra-large groups or specialty events, some studios can also host painting fundraisers at the location of your choosing, indoors or outdoors.
Planning and setup of painting fundraisers is streamlined and flexible. From scheduling to logistics, we’ll make sure all the details are arranged.
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