For me, summer is season of moving. It’s when I get to experience the lows: packing. And the highs: reactivating my Facebook to peruse the treasure trove that is Facebook Marketplace for a dining table, couch, plate set, or other needed piece of furniture.
While scrolling through the never-ending search results for “IKEA armchair” and “plant cuttings within 5 miles,” I often get lost in the options. How do I find an armchair within my price range that fits in the trunk of my car and suits the rest of my design choices? You might feel similarly overwhelmed the first time you scroll through GiveMN’s platform and see the thousands of nonprofit organizations and schools doing good work in their communities. How do you determine which organizations you want to support? How do you find the organizations that speak to your interests, communities, and priorities?
From animal rescues to food pantries and environmental conservation to youth programs and beyond, there are multiple impactful causes to support on GiveMN.org.
- Develop a theme! As a housewarming gift, my partner gave me a chicken-shaped spoon rest. This cute present inspired my roommate and me to theme our kitchen accessories around chickens. Deciding on a theme simplified the decision-making process - we know what we’re looking for when we scroll Facebook (more chickens).
When it comes to finding organizations to support, identifying the cause areas that spark your interest can simplify the search process. Perhaps you loved theater growing up, or you’ve recently developed a passion for gardening. Shape your giving around those interests to help define your search. Whatever you’re interested in, there’s an organization on GiveMN.org that fits that niche.
- Experiment with something new! I enjoy rearranging my bedroom furniture, switching up the prints I hang on my walls, and buying new candles to change the scents in my home. This helps me learn more about the kinds of decor and design I enjoy and narrows down my search results. On GiveMN.org, experiment with applying a filter to GiveMN.org that you normally don’t use. Maybe you always give to animal-focused organizations. What about searching through the humanitarian aid organizations? Maybe you’ll find an unexpected organization that excites and inspires you.
- Ask for help! As I often find while moving, lifting that couch is heavier than you think. But, with some help, the load is easier to bear! If you’re feeling overwhelmed by the options and wondering where to give, ask people in your life. Starting a conversation about generosity can be as simple sharing why you’re interested in giving and seeing which nonprofits people you love benefit from or what cause areas resonate with them and why.
- Celebrate! When I’m (finally) done moving, I like to celebrate with a housewarming party and invite friends over to see all my Facebook finds. When you give to an organization, celebrate the organization you gave to. You could make a post about it, encourage other folks to join you in giving, or celebrate by volunteering your time with the organization. Is there an organization located near you that you’d like to support? You can also filter your search by location at GiveMN.org/search to view causes near and far!
Whether you're moving or making a generous choice, I hope these tips help you find what you're looking for!