With the season of giving upon us, our thoughts often turn to family, festivities and gifts. As a child, giving usually centers around presents, whatever holiday we celebrate. But as we grow older, giving takes on a whole new meaning. It’s about human connection, time together with loved ones, compassion and gratitude. It’s also a time when many of us feel called to give back, as nonprofits’ requests for support fill our mailboxes, inboxes and text threads. In fact, 30 percent of annual giving occurs in December, with 10 percent of annual giving occurring on the last three days of the year. This year let’s take a step back and look at the many ways of giving that any one of us can do—a holistic approach

First, there’s the giving of your time. For many of us, this means volunteering our hours. It’s a hands-on way of contributing, offering direct support to organizations and individuals in need. It can include mentoring a teen, helping with events, tutoring a child, stocking a food pantry or performing any other task for a nonprofit. Giving your time strengthens communities and provides immediate, tangible assistance.

Giving your treasure refers to not only material goods but also to financial gifts including gifts of cash, stocks, real estate, Qualified Charitable Distributions and beneficiary designations for life insurance policies to name a few. Think about opening a Donor Advised Fund and filling it with appreciated stocks or extra cash to make gifts throughout the year. Donating financially can have a significant impact for many nonprofits who depend on funds for operational costs such as programming, expansion or staffing. Financial donations can range from small monthly donations throughout the year to transformational gifts or bequests and are crucial for sustaining the work of many organizations. Gifts to endowed funds are particularly important as they can make a difference in perpetuity. Read more.