Not your father’s gift card

I recently received a gift card (thanks boss!) to an online charity site where I can choose what cause I want to support. It’s a relatively new phenomenon, and I love it.

(And I’m not the only one who does.)

Think about it:

• The gift giver gets to give a meaningful, eco-friendly, tax-deductible gift, through an easy online shopping experience.
• The gift recipient gets to contribute to a cause that they care about.
• And most importantly, the charity and those it serves gets much-needed funds during a difficult year.

The charity gets a little buzz too. I’ll tell my boss which cause I gave to and how I decided on it. And he might trust my judgment and regard that organization highly now too. Ditto with my friends who I'm telling (and who may very well be getting charity gift cards as presents this year...).

So nonprofits: make sure your Guidestar and Charity Navigator listings are up-to-date, as many of these gift card sites, like Network for Good’s GoodCard, display your organization’s profile from there. There will be thousands of potential supporters scouring nonprofit descriptions in the coming weeks as they redeem their gift cards. Others sites allow you to enter your charity or projects to be listed, so submit yours if the gift card site is a good fit for your organization.

And last minute shoppers: if you're looking for a quick and meaningful gift idea, look no further. Charity gift cards are great for coworkers, friends, and family – including your father.

Charity Gift Card Websites:

Network for Good “GoodCard”  
http://www.networkforgood.org/goodcard/

DonorsChoose “GivingCard”
http://www.donorschoose.org

Global Giving Gift Card
http://www.globalgiving.com/

Charity Choice
http://www.charitygiftcertificates.org/

Comments

[spilltojill]

great info!