Altruistic giving helps individuals to feel more inspired and positive and is unquestionably a great way to start the New Year. Making a positive change or pledging participation in a fundraising activity allows you to help others while boosting your own happiness. Starting this pledge is something that can be very easily done with JustGiving, where our users can show they care and seamlessly share accomplishments and garner support from their friends and family from sharing their page on a number of social media platforms.
With most New Year’s resolutions ditched within the first month, here are some of our top tips to help you stay inspired for an altruistic 2019:
1. Choose a cause you feel strongly about
Rather than starting the year with the general aim to ‘do something for charity’, nominate a charity that aligns with your values or something you have been personally touched by.
2. Weave it in to another resolution
If your personal resolution is to get fit and healthy, why not train to reach your fitness goals by taking up swimming, walking or tennis. If you want to quit smoking, involve your friends and family in raising money for the Australian Cancer Research Foundation. If you want to get out of your comfort zone, why not bungee jump for a cause?
3. Inspire others through social media
Who could forget the great ALS Ice Bucket Challenge? We all know that social media has the power to reach a huge audience and whilst you might not get the likes of Lady Gaga or Katy Perry involved in your activity, you can still inspire and educate others to lend a hand.Using websites like JustGiving provide an easy and social way to share your progress with friends and watch your fundraising dollars grow.
4. Make an event out of it
Fundraising for charity is the perfect excuse to get together with friends and family for a dance, a laugh and a catch up. Organise a trivia night, a karaoke evening or an auction night with all proceeds going to your chosen charity.
5. Channel your passion
Love to get crafty? Unleash your creativity and make Christmas cards, photo frames or baby booties to sell at a local arts and craft market, donating profits to you charity of choice. Do you love to get involved in gardening? Why not help the local school plant their veggie garden or your elderly neighbour manage their weeds?
6. Be realistic
Most of us are time poor and can barely find a moment to visit the supermarket in between all of the tasks we have to juggle. Place a coin jar on your desk to collect change from your daily coffee or set up a quick and easy fundraising page to ensure your goals are achievable alongside your other commitments.
So with all of these in mind, it is a fantastic time to set up your own personalised fundraising page and begin raising money straight away or simply get inspired by others. Visit www.justgiving.com to set get started and in under five minutes you can begin sharing your commitment and progress with your family and friends.
Written by Nikki Kinloch, JustGiving Country Director.
Nikki Kinloch is the Country Director of JustGiving – Australia, New Zealand & Hong Kong, the world’s leading online platform for charitable giving.
What are some of your new year’s resolutions?
