Fundraising for charities is difficult. Not only do nonprofits have to compete against each other for a limited pot of money available from potential donors, but they also have to compete against for profit companies for a slice of people’s disposable income. That is, charities have to convince people that donating their money to charity is better than using it to buy a new pair of shoes, eating out all the time, getting a new iphone, etc. This is especially important during the holidays, when consumerism is at its peak.
One charity has come up with a creative way to tap into all the shopping and gift giving and unlock more of it for charities. Plan Canada has unveiled their Gifts of Hope, which is a holiday gift giving guide where the presents are donations that benefit people in developing countries. It also helps with that nagging issue of “what should I get so and so?” Need a gift for someone who’s a foodie? Buy them a mango tree for a family. What about for a mom? How about a maternity beds a supplies. And you can even pair these gifts with other needed items for disadvantaged people.
It’s a very creative idea that does a great job of tapping into consumerism and presenting donating to charity in a fun, social and easy-to-understand manner.
