• Healthy State
  • Careers
  • Education
  • Research
  • Giving
Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
  • About
  • Find A Doctor (current)
  • Find A Location
  • Specialties & Treatments
MyOchsner Logo
Login | Signup
Submit Search
Close Search
  •   Home
  • In To Your Health...
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
  • I need to...
  • Find A Doctor
  • Find A Location
  • Find A Specialty
  • Schedule An Appointment
  • Pay A Bill
  • Explore
  • About Ochsner
  • Careers
  • Patients & Visitors
  • "To Your Health" Blog
  • Health Resources
  • Medical Professionals
  • Education
  • Philanthropy
  • Community Outreach
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Research
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Schedule an Appointment
  • Call: 1-866-624-7637
  • Online: Login to MyOchsner
  • Personalize your content
  • patient Edit Persona Persona Chooser
To Your Health

View Newsletter Editions
  • Food & Fitness
  • Conditions & Treatment
  • Health Trends
  • Prevention & Wellness
  • Women's Health
  • Men's Health
  • Mental Health
  • Parenting
Charitable Giving

Tips to De-Stress Your Holiday Charitable Giving

Dec 26, 2020 |
By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE
Share Facebook Logo Twitter Logo Pinterest Logo Email Logo

During the holidays, we are often reminded that it is better to give than to receive. However, that can be easier said than done during a season where there are so many obligations and commitments that are competing for our attention! 

If you’re like me, you may also have a hard time choosing between the many, many admirable and necessary charities and nonprofits in your community. You may find yourself wondering how with so many in need, who do you to give to? 

For many nonprofits, a great percentage of the monetary gifts they receive are given at the end of the year. This uptick in giving is both because goodwill is at an all-time high during this time and because it is the last chance to take advantage of the tax incentives which these gifts can provide. So your gifts really do go a long way towards helping fund the organizational mission and annual goals, no matter how much you are able to contribute!

Below, we’ve assembled a few simple recommendations and things to consider when you’re making a charitable gift. By using these guidelines to inform your process, you can narrow in quickly on the organization that best lines up with your means and intentions.

  1. Determine your budget. Consider if you want to support one, two or a handful of nonprofit organizations. Keep in mind that no gift is too small to make an impact!
  2. Think about your values and what causes align with them. Do you love animals? Maybe you’re a big supporter of the environment? Whatever cause you care about, there is likely a worthy nonprofit that would love your support.
  3. Decide what type of charity you want to support. Do you care if it’s a local charity or an organization with a national network? Perhaps it matters to you if your gift funds a grassroots effort versus a well-established organization. There will always be great options that align with your choices.
  4. Use Guidestar.org to research the nonprofit(s) or cause(s) you’re considering. This database of nearly 3 million nonprofits will allow you to easily find many nonprofit options. The free version will provide you with access to the organization’s Form 990, which is what nonprofits file with the IRS, so you can review the organization’s basic financial information.
  5. Once you have a list of options, read their mission statements to ensure they align with what you want to support. Visit their website, where you should be able to find publications such as annual reports as well as information on specific programs.
  6. Make your donations and give yourself a pat on the back for helping the community!

Did you know that Ochsner is a 501(c)3 nonprofit? Your tax-deductible gift to Ochsner can go directly to healthcare causes you care about, such as cancer or diabetes.

Editor's note: This article was originally published on Nov. 23, 2018. 

Donors allow us to heal our communities. Make a gift today and fund the future of healthcare.


Tags
stress
holidays
giving back

You may also be interested in:

Gettyimages 896478964
Health Trends
November 23, 2020

What is #GivingTuesday?

GivingTuesday was created to promote charitable seasonal giving and to give charitable activities their own special day.
By Kayleigh Binet, PA
Giving resolutions all year long
Health Trends
December 26, 2020

How to Create a New Year's Giving Goal

Make your New Year's giving goal small, measurable and be specific. You will be surprised how easy it will be to develop a long-term habit of doing good.
By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE
Giving back scientific benefit
Health Trends
November 18, 2020

Why Giving Back Feels Good

Research has shown that fellow-feeling and altruistic behavior is associated with greater well-being, health and longevity.
By Shon C. Baker, PhD, CFRE

Comments about the blog? Send us an email!

Ochsner Health Ochsner Health
Schedule An Appointment: 1-866-624-7637
Follow us: Facebook Visit Ochsner Health on Facebook Twitter Follow Ochsner Health on Twitter LinkedIn Visit Ochsner Health's LinkedIn page Instagram Follow Ochsner Health on Instagram YouTube Subscribe to Ochsner Health on YouTube Pinterest Follow Ochsner Health on Pinterest TikTok Follow Ochsner Health on TikTok
Sign up for our free health and wellness newsletters delivered straight to your inbox.
SIGN UP

Patients & Visitors

  • Billing & Financial Services
  • Insurance Information
  • International Patients
  • Request Medical Records
  • Share Your Story
  • Read Patient Stories

Medical Professionals

  • Transfer a Patient
  • Refer a Patient

Health Resources

  • To Your Health Blog
  • Golden Opportunity
  • Healthy State
  • Ochsner Magazine

Job Seekers

  • Career Paths
  • Benefits
  • Open Positions

Employees

  • Webmail
  • OHSLink
  • Workday

Employers

  • Corporate Wellness
  • Medicare Advantage Plans

Community Outreach

  • Classes & Events
  • Programs
  • Community Health Needs Assessment
  • Dr. John Ochsner Discovery Health Sciences Academy

Education

  • Graduate Medical Education
  • Clinical Medical Education
  • Continuing Medical Education
  • Medical Library
  • Publishing Services
  • Medical Illustrations

Research

  • Clinical Trials
  • Applied Health Services Research
  • Clinical Research & Trials
  • Nursing Research
  • Translational Research

Giving

  • Donate
  • Volunteer

About Ochsner

  • Mission & Vision
  • History
  • Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
  • Annual Report
  • Outcomes & Honors
  • News & Media
  • Alumni
  • Ochsner Health Network
  • Contact Us

Shop

  • O Bar
  • Optical Shop
  • Ochsner Fitness Center
  • Brent House Hotel

© Ochsner Health  | Notice of Privacy Practices | Terms of Use | Vendor Information

Ochsner accepts all major insurances.

Ochsner is a 501(c)3 not-for-profit organization, founded on providing the best patient care, research, and education.

We are one of the country’s largest non-university based academic medical centers.

Ochsner is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin or ancestry, citizenship, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran status, disability or any other protected characteristic under applicable law.

Community Needs Health Assessment

EpicMobile Tablet | EpicMobile Phone

Get Weekly Health Tips

Select the weekly newsletters you'd like to receive.

Please select at least one category to continue.

Curious about our newsletters?

View details for each edition

Let us know where to send your weekly newsletters.

To Your Health- Food and Fitness:
To Your Health- General:
To Your Health- Men’s Health:
To Your Health- Parenting:
To Your Health- Women’s Health:
To Your Health-Mental Health Monthly":
To Your Health- Skin Deep:

Source:
Source Description:
Marketing Goal:

You're all set!

We’ll send newsletters full of healthy living tips right to your inbox every week.

Ochsner Health System
ESC to Close

Begin Typing to Search

Select the drop-down to filter Search by Blog Articles or Sitewide