Written by Anna Lynne Camper

With the holidays in full swing, nonprofits are working harder than ever to serve their beneficiaries. Yet they do so amid rising inflation rates and less funding compared to before the pandemic. Though funding for these organizations can be sourced from grants and contributions from foundations, corporations, and the government, individual contributions are still the lifeblood of nonprofits everywhere. That's because they help pay for expenses usually not covered by grants, like salaries and payment for facilities and equipment used.

If you're looking to bring out your holiday spirit this December, don't worry — you don't need to emulate Jeff Bezos' ex-wife MacKenzie Scott, who gave over $4 billion to various Austin charities last year. Indeed, it's possible to give back to the community without breaking the bank. Here's how.

Declutter your home

It makes sense to give what you already have, so why not declutter? Scour your home for good-as-new items that you no longer need or use. Prioritize donating things like non-perishable food items, as well as hygiene and baby care products.

There are countless drop-off sites all over Austin for things like clothes, furniture, and other household objects, such as Easter Seals and Goodwill Central Texas. Meanwhile, the donation of niche items like art supplies, books, and cars can be made directly to organizations like Austin Creative Reuse, BookSpring, and the Ronald McDonald House Vehicle Donation Program.

Ask for donation gifts

We've very likely experienced receiving birthday, Christmas, or wedding gifts that had absolutely no appeal to us at all. These items probably ended up in your attic, basement, an inconspicuous side closet, or regifted. Save your loved ones the time and energy of (inaccurately) picking out the perfect gift for you by giving them a sense of purposeful direction.

In this case, simply pick a charity and request that they donate some money on your behalf. You can even hold birthday- or holiday-themed charity fundraisers at places like the Bouldin Creek Cafe, a vegan eatery that actively gives back to the community. Doing so might even help your loved ones get into the habit of making regular donations.

Open a high-yield CD account

If you want to donate your own money, you might be thinking of saving up small amounts to make a significant donation later on. Opening a dedicated savings account or donor-advised fund can even help your savings grow passively over time. If you want to donate sooner, consider certificates of deposit (CD). High-yield CDs, in particular offer, significantly higher interest rates.

These accounts start earning interest as soon as the amount deposited goes over $500. High-yield CD calculators can even help you determine how much you need to reach your goals within a certain time frame. Since high-yield CDs compound interest daily, you can probably hand in your donation in as little as 6 months, even if you're on a budget.

Donate your time

Your time is arguably the most valuable thing you can offer to nonprofits and other charities. Such efforts give the same impact as monetary donations, as they help these organizations maintain the quality of their services regardless. Consider participating in local events like community clean-ups or making snack care kits for the homeless.

If you have unique skills, you can branch out to other initiatives like tutoring children in math and science, or teaching in-demand competencies like software development or computer programming to high schoolers and college students. You can even endorse your chosen charities on social media, which can help gather more donors and volunteers for these organizations.


Ultimately, you don't need to be a billionaire philanthropist to make a difference in your community. Creativity, hard work, and dedication are all you need to help make the space you live in better for everyone involved.