The Benefits of Supporting Local Nonprofits
Each of us has a role to play in keeping our communities healthy and connected, and supporting local nonprofits is an excellent opportunity to do exactly that. Whether you’re getting into the holiday spirit of giving, feeling the impending pressure of tax season, or simply want to make a positive impact on your community, your contributions to local nonprofit organizations will not only make a positive impact on the world around you, but also on your life. Here’s why:
Nonprofits Contribute to the Economy
Many people don’t think of nonprofits as having a significant economic impact, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. The 1.5 million nonprofits in the United States account for 12.3 million jobs. Cumulatively, nonprofits also spend around $1 trillion each year on goods and services.
The indirect impact of nonprofits on the economy is impossible to quantify, but can be safely assumed to be vast. For every person who receives care from a nonprofit, there are an equal number of caregivers participating in the workforce who might not otherwise be able to. Many nonprofits also provide education or job placement services to individuals, thereby better enabling them to participate in the workforce and making the economy stronger. And when the economy benefits, we all do.
Your Donations Are Tax-Deductible
People who itemize their tax deductions can potentially see substantial tax breaks as a result of their charitable contributions. According to the IRS, charitable contributions of money or property to qualifying organizations can be used to deduct up to 50% of your adjusted gross income, thereby reducing your overall tax burden. This can come in particularly handy if you’ve experienced a windfall year as a result of unusual circumstances (perhaps from an inheritance or selling a business).
It’s a Chance To Make a Change Where You Live
Investing in local nonprofits is also one of the best ways to help improve your community—which ultimately benefits you. When you give locally, you have a unique opportunity to see tangible, direct impacts on the specific issues that affect your everyday life.
In addition, local nonprofits are more likely to have a grasp on the interests and priorities of the people in your community. They’re also more likely to understand which methods and strategies will work best in that particular environment, and to be able to use their resources and energy more effectively.
Giving Increases Connectedness
Between the rise of the digital age, increasingly divisive politics, and other factors, our society is more isolated and divided than ever. When we participate in charity, however, we are strengthening the bonds between ourselves and our neighbors. Giving is also an opportunity to honor our social responsibility, live our values, and set an example for our children.
On a more concrete level, supporting nonprofits is an excellent way to meet new people and make connections. Nonprofits are frequently connected to a network of local government officials, businesses, and social groups—you never know who you’ll meet, and how that might help you later on down the line.
Giving Is Good for You
As it turns out, the warm fuzzy feeling you get when you do a good deed might not be just a feeling. Research has shown that giving money to charitable organizations that you care about is associated with higher levels of happiness, increased emotional well-being, and other potential health benefits.
How You Can Help
Not everyone is able to support local nonprofit organizations with financial donations, and that’s okay. If money is tight, there are plenty of other ways you can contribute to nonprofits in your area. Some ideas include:
donate your time by volunteering
donate resources or supplies (be sure to check with the organization in question to see what they are able to accept!)
offer in-kind services
consider joining the nonprofit’s board
help increase their visibility by sharing their posts on social media or spreading the word about upcoming events and opportunities
vote for legislation and politicians that support the organization’s goals and/or funding for charities
The Dr. Annise Mabry Foundation is dedicated to improving our community by enhancing education opportunities, promoting synchrony between law enforcement and constituents, and encouraging community engagement. Our programs and initiatives include the Southwest GA Community Policing Resource Center and the Tiers Free Academy, a homeschool cooperative for students in grades 9-12 that provides an alternative diploma program for homeless LGBTQ youth, sex trafficking survivors, and high school dropouts. To learn more about our offerings or support our work, consider subscribing to our newsletter or donating today!
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