This holiday season, it’s no secret that money is tight for a lot of Americans. Many will be struggling to figure out how to make ends meet for their holiday celebrations and many more will find themselves visiting food pantries and other charitable organizations for a little help. If you’re struggling this holiday season but still want to make an impact in others’ lives through charitable donations, etc., don’t give up just yet. There are plenty of ways to help nonprofits in your area without emptying your bank account as well. Keep reading for some tips on how to manage your charitable donations and stay on budget this year.

Tip #1: Make a List

One of the best ways to understand your situation and the amount of donations you can give is to make a list of all the organizations you would like to donate to. Around the holiday season, you may find your emails and mailbox filled with donation requests from nonprofits, and it can be overwhelming to decide which ones to donate to or which ones are even legitimate. It’s up to you to do your research and make sure each organization is real and something you want to donate to. You likely won’t be able to donate to all, so make sure your list is organized by importance and the amounts you would like to donate to each.

Tip #2: Reach Out

Once you’ve made a list of the organizations you’d like to donate to, you should reach out to each and ask them what their greatest needs are. Many nonprofit organizations appreciate this as it is a way for them to make sure they meet their needs without wasting their time and that you don’t waste your time or resources on things they don’t need. You want to make sure any donations you make are going to good use, and some organizations may just ask you for money that they can use at their discretion. Others may ask for donated items, and some may even ask for your time as a volunteer.

It’s also important to remember, as you’re reaching out, research the organizations to make sure you are reaching a legitimate contact of that organization and not a scammer. Many fraudsters use the holiday season to rip off charities by pretending to be a nonprofit and keeping all the donations for themselves. Make sure you’re vigilant this holiday season as you make your donation plans. Always look for the https:// and lock symbol in the URL of websites you visit. If you’re ever unsure if a website is legitimate or not, ask a friend or family member, or even call the bank to get a second opinion.

Tip #3: Update Your List

Once you’ve heard from each organization on their needs, it’s time to update your original list. Depending on what information you got back, you may need to update your donation totals, make lists of things to buy, or block off your calendar with times you are able to volunteer. Having the total amount of donations and volunteer time written out will help you visualize everything and ensure you don’t overextend yourself trying to make it all work.

Tip #4: Document Everything

As you are making your donations, make sure you are documenting everything. You should keep a record of who received the donation, how much it was, and any other relevant information to help you remember. This way, you’ll have an easy way to remember what you donated when it’s time to do it all again next year. If you’re able to donate a lot, it also makes your tax process a lot easier.

Documenting everything is also important in case you end up accidentally donating to a scammer. Any information you have about the scammers, the website, or methods they used to contact you will help later in any investigations.

Tip #5: Adjust Expectations

The holiday season inspires everyone to want to give back and cherish time spent with family and friends. It’s natural to be in a giving mood and want to help others. However, you also have to keep your own finances in check and make tough decisions. Make your donation list reasonable and don’t feel bad if you can’t swing a donation to everyone. There are plenty of other ways you can help nonprofits and charities this holiday season. Sharing social media posts with donation requests and general information about the nonprofits you care about, volunteering at your favorite organization, and even helping with the planning and execution of fundraisers or other projects can all help nonprofits this season. Get creative and you will find plenty of ways to give back and feel fulfilled. If you need help setting up a savings account for future donations or have questions on any of your finances, don’t hesitate to reach out to your local Availa banker for assistance!