Exchange Donations Instead of Gifts this Holiday Season!

This year, instead of exchanging gifts, exchange donations!

A donation exchange is perfect for the season of giving and frees up so much time to relax over the holidays!

The donation exchange provides an opportunity for you, your friends and your family to learn about causes that are important to each of you. You will feel good knowing that your donation has helped make a difference in the lives of those most important to you as well as the lives of those who need it most.

The concept of the donation exchange is simple; phone or send an e-mail to your friends and family asking what causes that they’d like you donate to, and include a list of your chosen causes they can donate to in return.

Here are some ideas to keep in mind when hosting a donation exchange:

-State clearly that the donation exchange is in place of traditional gift giving. Ask them politely not to buy you gifts.

-If you support many causes, limit the choices you offer to three. Include a short blurb about each cause along with links to websites. Make it easy for participants to learn about your causes; the exchange is also an educational opportunity!

-Let participants know how you want them to give. If you want them to give directly to your causes, then include links to donation pages or mailing addresses. If you’d like to deliver the donations yourself, then ask them to mail the donations to you.

-If someone in your exchange needs ideas for causes, then direct them to the Canadian Registered Charities listing at http://www.cra-arc.gc.ca/ebci/haip/srch/basicsearchresult-eng.action?s=registered&k=&p=1&b=true.

Enjoy a relaxing holiday season knowing your gifts have truly made a difference! Start you donation exchange today!