Why Give to Small or Local Nonprofit Organizations?

*Originally published at https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/why-give-to-small-or-local-nonprofit-organizations_us_58de6543e4b0fa4c09598854

Every year, especially around the holiday season the phrase Support Small, Shop Local is used. The Saturday after Thanksgiving was officially made Small Business Saturday by American Express in 2010. The tradition has continued since, and in 2011 Giving Tuesday became another widely spread effort to support nonprofit organizations. Despite the increased monetary donations each year to nonprofit organizations across the globe, smaller, local nonprofits tend to go unnoticed.

Local nonprofit organizations should be supported by members of their community, beyond those served. In Virginia, the top ten largest nonprofit organizations (using gross receipts) are comprised of seven hospitals, two universities, and Nature Conservancy. One would find the same general placeholders when searching any other state as well. In 2013, it was reported that 72% of all funding these major nonprofit organizations received came from government contracts, grants, and funding. Smaller nonprofit organizations operating within your hometown do not receive the same level of government support, therefore they are caused to rely solely upon donations from the general public, or Foundation giving, if they met the requirements for such opportunities.

But why is it ultimately important to give your money to small and local nonprofit organizations?

National and international organizations draw attention through large-scale media campaigns and corporate partnerships, but they tend to lack individualized, personalized, and local response. Of course, this is not always the case, but local chapters of those organizations are typically where the response is made, rather than their main office. Local nonprofits (on average, not in all cases) are unable to compete for the same media exposure, and rely on grassroots efforts to further their missions.

Smaller, local nonprofit organizations also tend to be more fiscally responsible with their donor dollars, because there is less of them to go around. Overhead and administrative costs are also typically lower, as well as, fundraising, marketing, and advertising expenses. Many operate from the residence of the founder or a shared work space in order to devote the majority of their budget to programs and services. GuideStar is another great resource for researching nonprofit organizations, their fiscal policies, tax documents, and more. However, it is only as accurate as the information is uploaded and available. However, you may find that many local nonprofits overlap in more than just the cause they support. Several may overlap in their mission, tactics, and community served without even realizing it.

Pick a cause or concern that is near to your heart within your community, then find an organization that is taking on the challenge to support those in such a crisis. Go one step further and choose the one that is combating the social problem from a unique angle. In nearly every corner of the United States there is a homeless shelter, church resale shop, art center, pregnancy crisis center, animal shelter or pet rescue, veterans support organization, school PTA, and more that are begging for your support. If you’re not sure of what is in your area Great Nonprofits is an amazing resource to use. Simply search by your postal code, and all the nonprofit organizations listed within 10 sq. miles will populate.

However, the biggest reason is the impact made with your donation, is not only within your community, but the services provided by the nonprofit organization, help those in your community. This includes local chapters of national or even international organizations, but more so focusing on the organizations native to your region. These small but mighty organizations are changing the lives of those living within your area...and who knows when you personally may need a service only they can or are willing to provide. Do you see a need that is going unmet in your region? Within your area is more than likely a nonprofit organization that is capable and equipped to help long before city governments will act.

This is the power of supporting local nonprofit organizations with your monetary contributions. Local support brings local change. Challenging others to donate to a worthy cause within your region allows your neighbors to have access to new resources in their times of need. Many local nonprofits may reach into a larger community, or even reach globally, but they still have programs serving within their region that need your support as well.