Giving to charity matters now more than ever - and you can probably afford it
With rising unemployment and the stock market looking like a bungee jumper whose cord has snapped, it's hard to argue that people should continue their charitable giving.
And yet, I will make that plea.
I know that in tough times you want to pull back on your spending, including planned donations, but that's exactly when your giving shouldn't go down - when the need is so great.
The way to continue giving is to be a regular donor. Although the percentage of American households that report giving to charity has remained constant in recent years, it's not always the same households, according to new research by the Center on Philanthropy at Indiana University.
The center studied the charitable giving of the same 8,000 families in 2000, 2002, and 2004, and found that nearly one-third alternate between donating and not donating. The researchers found that "persistent donors" give much more on average than others.
In 2004, consistent givers made total charitable gifts averaging $2,659. Occasional donors, people who gave in one or two of the three years, contributed an average of $820, according to the "Center on Philanthropy Panel Study."
If I may, I'd like to recommend some ways to continue giving during hard times.
The category of charitable giving is often listed at the bottom of a budget form. If it's not dead last, it's tucked in the miscellaneous section.
Instead, move the category up closer to the top. We tend to fund our expenses starting with the most important to the least. When things get tight we start cutting from the bottom up.
Treat your donation like it's a bill, advises Melissa Brown of the Center on Philanthropy.
Brown said in her family, they agreed to give up a regular treat to make room for a monthly charitable contribution.
"We are trying to teach our children about philanthropy," Brown said. "So we told them we had to give up something to do this."
If you are worried about your economy or your own finances, there's another way to find money to give. Declutter your house.
Pack up all the stuff you're not using and sell it at a flea market or online and then donate the proceeds. In fact, make this the yearly fund-raiser in your household. You get to clean out your house and do some good.
Looking for a way to cut your taxes? Try giving. Your donations could add up to a sizable tax deduction if you itemize.
Finally, become involved. You are likely to be a persistent giver if you maintain an active relationship with the organizations you support.
I know that giving is personal. But don't be a fair-weather giver.
If we all gave regularly, the burden would be easier on everyone in good times and bad.
Michelle Singletary is a columnist for The Washington Post. She can be reached at singletarym@washpost.com. 