Should I be giving monthly or one-off?

Are you thinking about making a life-changing difference by giving to charity? If so, you might be faced with the choice between giving monthly or as a one off. Both regular giving and single giving have their own benefits, but generally a monthly gift will be more impactful and help the organisation be more effective. Keep reading to find out what’s right for you.

COVER PHOTO: The Fred Hollows Foundation

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The benefits of regular giving
The benefits of single giving

The benefits of regular giving

1. You can provide ongoing support

One of the challenges that charities face is the unpredictability of their funding sources, which can make it difficult to plan and budget for their programs.

However, regular giving provides a predictable source of income that can help charities to plan and budget for their programs over the long term. By knowing how much funding they can expect to receive each month or year, charities can make informed decisions about how to allocate their resources and which programs to prioritise. This provides stability for charities, allowing them to make long-term commitments to their beneficiaries and invest in sustainable solutions.

Here at The Fred Hollows Foundation, our regular givers help us comfortably invest in innovation and technology that will continue to make eye care services more affordable and available to people living in the most remote parts of the world with less fear of losing funding.

2. It’s more convenient

Regular giving can be set up as a recurring payment, which means you don't have to remember to donate every time you want to give. This can make it easier to budget for and manage your charitable giving.

In addition to supporting a good cause, donating to charity in Australia can also have financial benefits. The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) allows tax deductions for donations over $2, meaning that you can reduce your taxable income and potentially lower your tax bill. To claim the deduction, it's important to keep the receipt of any donation that you make, as this can serve as proof of the donation to your tax agent, accountant, or the ATO if needed.

By taking advantage of this tax benefit, you can both support important causes and potentially save money on your taxes. Knowing that you make a monthly donation of a set amount can help you keep track of your donations much easier.

3. You can help reduce fundraising costs

Regular giving can also help charities to reduce their fundraising costs, as they can rely on a predictable stream of income without needing to invest as much time and resources into fundraising activities. This can allow charities to allocate more of their resources towards their programs, and ultimately achieve greater impact.

4. Gain a greater sense of connection

By giving regularly to a cause, you can develop a deeper connection with the organisation and its beneficiaries. You can follow the progress of the cause you have given to and see the impact of your contributions over time. This can be a very rewarding experience.

At the Fred Hollows Foundation, our monthly donors are called Visionaries. By becoming a Visionary, you can reach many more people with your support and help The Foundation’s work across bigger picture initiatives like training more ophthalmologists and educating people about the importance of looking after their eye health.

Photo credit: The Fred Hollows Foundation

The benefits of single giving

1. More flexibility

Single giving allows you to donate when you want, which can be particularly helpful if you want to support a number of different causes.

You can also choose the amount you want to donate, which can range from a small contribution for when you have a limited budget to a larger amount when you’re in a position to do so.

2. You can be more responsive

One-off donations can be made in response to specific events or campaigns, such as emergency relief efforts or holiday fundraisers.

This allows you to respond to urgent needs as they arise and support important causes in a timely manner.

This type of giving can be particularly impactful because it helps charities respond to unexpected needs or emergencies that may require additional resources. By making a one-off donation, you can help to fill funding gaps and support important causes in a meaningful way.

3. Try out new causes

Single giving allows you to explore and support a range of causes without committing to ongoing donations. This way, you can identify the causes that you are most passionate about.

Photo credit: The Fred Hollows Foundation

The choice is yours

Whether it’s a single donation or a monthly one, by donating to The Fred Hollows Foundation, you can help to make a real difference in the lives of people who are needlessly suffering from blindness and other eye conditions.

Your donation can provide a person with the gift of sight, allowing them to regain their independence, work, and support their families.

You can donate here.

Learn more about our work:

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Garu Baskaran- The Fred Hollows Foundation

Garu is a digital content writer at The Fred Hollows Foundation. She is inspired by Fred Hollows, who chose to act when faced with obstacles and is proud to help carry on his vision of a world where nobody is needlessly blind.

SHOULD I BE GIVING MONTHLY OR ONE-OFF?