Making charitable donations or practicing regular charitable giving—either through donating money, goods, or time—is undoubtedly a good habit.

It's important to give back, particularly if you've achieved success. You can even think of paying it forward, if you like; either way, practicing a little generosity is a great use of your time, energy, resources and money.

Beyond the sometimes-vague concept of giving back, though, figuring out the details of charitable donations can be a challenge. Are gifts that give back enough? How should you choose a charity? How much should you donate? There's no hard-and-fast rule, but there are some smart tips that can help you figure out the right answers for you and your family.

Read on to learn what you need to know about charitable donations for when you do decide.

Here’s how to get started.

Identify your cause.

Ask yourself these questions to figure out what cause speaks to you most.

What social, political, environmental or logistical problem do I want to solve?

We all have a cause or concern that is dear to us. The trick is figuring out how you can leverage yours to connect your heart and your hands.

Try micro-philanthropy.

Micro- philanthropy is the practice of leveraging charitable donations made in smaller increments. This could mean anything from 25 cents to £10 or £200.

Micro-giving can take many forms, from £1 pledges at the local shop checkout to event sponsorships in 5K races.

To figure out the right type of micro-philanthropy for you, ask yourself these questions:

What is the best use of my time, talent, network or resources? What community project could I contribute to?

Does my organisation have a company-sponsored event or donation-matching program? Is there someone I could mentor?

Thinking about giving back in this way makes philanthropy more affordable, relatable and attainable.

Look for other ways to contribute.

If your budget is already tight and you don’t have any dollars to donate, consider donating your time. What most charities need, even more so than money, is volunteer support.

Think about what talents you bring to the table. Consider volunteering, maybe you’re in finance or accounting. If so, consider a board position as treasurer or assisting on financial or tax questions. And last, think about giving away any extra clothes or other goods that you may not be using and are in good condition.

Get Involved.

You can also get involved by learning more on how we support our community through innovative and sustainable projects that bring about direct social impact.

Click here to learn more.

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