4 Ways to Help A Charity without Spending Cash

As a company that strives to save your business cash, we are also a company that wants to give back to the community. We wanted to let you know that there are ways you can give back, both as a business and in your personal life, when your financial resources are limited.

1. Donate
Plenty of us forget that one of the simplest ways of giving to charity without breaking the bank is by donating. This is as easy as setting aside a box in your home or at your business and label it: DONATIONS. Throughout the year, put donatable items in the box. When the box is full, take it to the charity of your choice. But the items don’t need to be limited to old clothes or books or toys! Many charities will gladly take your old computers, printers, and furniture (yes even office furniture).

2. Volunteer
Now if you don’t have much to donate in the way of items, think about donating your time by volunteering. Almost all charities and non-profit organizations need volunteers to help them keep running because they can’t afford dedicated staff. Consider volunteering specific skills that you have, such as marketing, IT, accounting, writing, cooking, or photography — even contemplate offering your services pro bono.

3. Raise Awareness
If you can’t afford to give money regularly, perhaps someone else can. If you feel passionately about a particular charity, making people aware is a great way to get more money flowing their way. This could be done in many ways, from social media to blogging about issues that you want to share. Alternatively, you could sponsor the charity and include their logo on your promotional material and have their brochures at your front desk.

4. Barter
IMS supports more than 100 different charities across 18 states including Shriners Hospitals for Children, Missing & Exploited Children, Special Olympics, Easter Seals, CURE Childhood Cancer Association, March of Dimes, Salvation Army, and Make-A-Wish Foundation. Those are just a few. In the past decade, IMS members have made donations to 112 different charities that we work with totaling over $2.8 million. There are many opportunities year-round to help these amazing organizations save their vital cash by giving them the gift of IMS trade dollars.

If you would like to help give a little back this year, click here to see all of our charities and to donate.