by Raven Lebeau

Created on: June 07, 2009   Last Updated: October 27, 2009

In the current economy, many of us feel we can't afford to be as generous as we were in better economic times. This means that our favorite charities are experiencing an even sharper financial crisis of their own. In order to keep non-profit organizations functioning, we need to find ways to give to charity without putting undue strain on our own finances. Here are a few ideas for contributing to your favorite charitable organization without spending money.

1. Clean out your closet.

Charities such as the DAV or Salvation Army always need donated items to stock their thrift stores. If you have old clothing no one in your family wears, or unwanted furniture or appliances, then you can help out a charity by donating it. Alternatively, you can have a garage sale and donate the proceeds. You get the benefit of reducing clutter in your home, and the charity gets a needed contribution, so it's a win-win situation.

2. Volunteer your time.

Volunteering is not only a great way to help the community, but also a chance to gain new skills and meet new friends. If you are currently unemployed, and therefore unable to contribute financially, then volunteering may help give your resume a boost, too!

3. Donate a Helium.com article.

You can donate the revenues from your Helium articles to one of Helium's non-profit partners. While this may not seem like a large contribution, over time, with enough Helium members donating, the money can add up to a significant amount. By writing to one of Helium's partner titles, you also help raise awareness of an issue the non-profit partner considers important. You are, in essence, donating your ideas to the cause.

4. Use Goodsearch.com for your web research.

GoodSearch, powered by Yahoo's search engine, donates ad revenues to charities. You choose your charity, and then use the search engine as you normally would.

5. Use Goodshop.com for your shopping.

Goodshop allows you to buy from big-name retailers such as Kohl's and Best Buy as well as widely used websites like hotels.com and eBay. When you buy through Goodshop.com, a charity of your choice gets a small donation. If you are shopping online anyway, it only makes sense to use the opportunity to help out a charity.

6. Advertise your favorite charity.

You can help boost publicity by mentioning a charity in your Helium articles, your blog, or your website. You can even create a Helium zone dedicated to a cause or charity. By getting the word out, you encourage others to think about donating time, money, or both.

7. Click for a cause.

Websites like Freekibble and Freerice have trivia games that you can play for free. These websites use their ad revenue to feed homeless animals and hungry people, respectively. By visiting these sites and enjoying the free games, you can help a worthy cause. Adding links to these websites on your blog or tweeting them with Twitter is also a simple way to support a charity.

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