We all have causes that we believe in. Most of the time, they’re issues that have affected us personally or affect someone we know and love. Other times they’re larger societal or political issues that have the ability to change the world as we know it. But whatever the case may be, it’s helpful to know how specifically you can support causes you believe in….tactfully, appropriately, and in the most resourceful manner possible.
4 Ways to Support a Cause
The great thing about living in a capitalistic society and free country is that we’re able to support causes we believe in via any number of methods. Here are a few of the most common and effective options:
1. Donate to Existing Charities and Nonprofits
It’s tempting to start your own charity or nonprofit. It sounds exciting and offers the allure of being able to “change the world.” But if we’re being honest, it’s a lot grittier than most people believe. Charities and nonprofits face a massive uphill battle that can take years of hard work and dedication before any real impact can happen.
If there’s already an organization out there that’s supporting the cause you believe in, you may be better off coming alongside them. By giving your time and economic support to a charity that already has a process, connections, and established support system, you’re able to put a dent in the cause much faster.
Let’s look at an example. Would you rather have:
- Five charities that compete against each other for funds and each has roughly $10,000 in annual resources and five volunteer staff members
- One charity that has roughly $50,000 in annual resources and 25 volunteer staff members
The choice is obvious, right? By consolidating resources, you’re able to make a much bigger impact. This isn’t to say you should never start your own nonprofit, but it should open your eyes to the value of coming alongside pre-existing causes.
2. Support Companies That Support the Cause
You might not have a ton of time and money to officially link arms with a nonprofit at the moment, but you can always indirectly support the cause you believe in by shopping with companies that share your same value system.
If you believe in protecting your constitutional rights and freedoms, buying Nine Line apparel from a company like Primary Arms is a positive step in the right direction. If you’re passionate about the cause of equal pay, support businesses like these. Whatever the case may be, there are companies you can get behind.
3. Start Your Own Fundraising Page
Social media has a lot of marks in the “negative column,” but it also has plenty of positives going for it. One of the positives is that you can use it to raise money for a cause you believe in and tap into the power of viral sharing to turn small donations into a massive sum of money.
Here’s a helpful guide on how to use the power of social sharing to take a fundraiser to the next level. Give it a try and see if you can raise a little money for a cause you believe in.
4. Volunteer Your Time
Let’s be honest for a moment. Some of us have lots of money and are able to give financial support without thinking about it, but don’t have much time. Others of us don’t have any spare money in the monthly budget, but have plenty of free time. If you call into this latter category, volunteering is one of the best things you can do to step in and help. Depending on the cause and your location, you may be able to find opportunities right in your own backyard.
Stand Up for What You Believe In
It’s not always easy or convenient to stand up for what you believe in. Sometimes it costs you time, money, or reputation. (And in many cases it demands elements of all three.) However, the good news is that you have plenty of options.
Whether the cause you believe in is the opinion of a small minority of people who are ridiculed by the masses, or you believe in a massive cause that has tens of millions of people behind it, there are ways to make your voice heard.
Speak up, lean in, and do your part to make your corner of the world a better place!