Use this giving guide to find out how you can do your part: research which charities to give to, test your Poverty I.Q., figure out your giving comfort level, and find inspiration to help you explore the giving spirit of the season.

What's Your Favorite Charity?
Share your favorite charity with other Beliefnet members on the message boards. Some recent member favorites:
![]() "3 inches of hair can make a wig for a child, who has lost their hair from chemo, and other painful tests, that these brave little kids endure." --loriann32507 ![]() "My favorite charities are those dealing with the prevention of animal abuse and neglect and those that care for homeless animals, until hopefully proper placing can be arranged." --Corrieanne |
![]() "To know that I can make a child/family/community better for only $26.00 a month is unbelievable." --sue000 ![]() "My husband & I haven't been able to have children and after all of the prayers that St Jude has answered for us, I have promised to help take care of his children. St. Jude give children cancer treatment no matter what their ability to pay is." --lashail |
Special Holiday Charity Projects
Secret Santas, Sidewalk Santas, Toys for Tots and more season-specific charities that need your help during this time of the year.
Giving Time
Many organizations set up special Christmas volunteer projects. A few examples:
New York Cares Holiday Volunteering | Ideas in Houston | Chicago Holiday Volunteering | Projects in the Twin Cities | Opportunities in Kansas City

Not Sure How Much to Give?
Try out one of these online giving calculators:


Quizzes

How much does your sense of charity affect your daily life?

Take the quiz to see how attuned you are to the problem of poverty in the U.S. and in the world.
What to Know



Tips from the Better Business Bureau

Important things to know about a nonprofit before giving money.


If you spent on charity as much as you spend on holiday gifts, how many lives could you change?

Let's spend as much on charity as we do on Christmas gifts. By Gregg Easterbrook

Writer Bill McKibben advocates a simple Christmas.