The Pros & Cons of Online Donation Requests

The holiday season is upon us once again, which means you’ll soon be bombarded with requests to donate money and time to all kinds of different charitable organizations. Depending on your circumstances, this can either be a welcome distraction from the stresses of everyday life or an unwelcome intrusion on your time. Keeping in mind your pros and cons in such situations will help you make the right decision for yourself. We’re going to take a look at some of the pros and cons of online donation request sites like Check-In Give or Give New York which have become so prevalent during the holiday giving season. These are not unique to those websites but are things that you should consider when deciding whether or not to give to a charitable organization through one of their websites.

The pros of online donation requests

There are several pros associated with online donation requests during the holiday season. First, it’s important to note that for many people, giving is a very fulfilling experience. Giving money to a charitable cause can bring significant joy and fulfillment to the giver and is a great way to improve your happiness during the holidays. If you are looking for a way to give back during the holiday season but don’t have the time or resources to donate in another way, donating money may be your best option. Another pro of online donation requests is that they can be very easy to do. Many of these websites are designed to be very quick and easy to use. You can often donate in just a minute or so and can do so from anywhere. This is especially helpful for those who have a lot going on in their lives and don’t have a lot of time to spare.

The cons of online donation requests

There are also several cons associated with online donation requests during the holiday season. First, it can be very easy to get swept up in the holiday giving frenzy without really thinking about if you have the means to give. Don’t let the holiday cheerlead you to make impulsive decisions that you will regret later. Giving to a charity is a wonderful thing to do but not if it’s going to put you into debt or financially cripple you. Another con of online donation requests is that charities who use these websites often don’t provide as much information about their cause and mission as charities who don’t utilize donation request websites. While it’s understandable that these charities are trying to maximize their donations, it can make it much harder to determine if your donation will truly be helping those who need it most. While donating to a great cause is always a wonderful thing to do, you should make sure that you are donating to a cause that needs your money.

Which websites are the most trustworthy?

Several different websites are used for online donation requests during the holiday season. However, not all of these websites are created equally. There are a few donation request websites that are more trustworthy than others. Charity Navigator is one such website that rates charities and donation request websites based on their financial transparency, accountability, and more. When donating to a website that Charity Navigator has rated, you can rest assured knowing that your donation will go to a reputable charity that has proven they are doing valuable work. Other websites that may be more trustworthy than others include the Better Business Bureau’s Wise Giving Alliance and Give.org.

Should you give?

If you are considering donating money to an online donation request site, the first thing that you should do is determine if you even have the resources to do so. If you are already struggling financially, it may be impossible to make ends meet while also donating to a charitable organization. Keeping in mind the pros and cons of online donation requests can help you determine if donating money to a donation request website is the right thing for you. If you are unsure, it never hurts to do a bit of research about the charities on these donation request websites. Doing so can help you make a more informed decision about whether or not you should donate to a particular organization.