10 Meaningful Ways to Practice Generosity During the Season of Giving
Sharing ideas for making this a true season of giving, with or without spending money.
The winter holiday season is often called the Season of Giving, a time to reflect on blessings, supporting community, and sharing generously. This generosity doesn’t have to be limited to making financial donations, nor does it require a large budget.
Whether you’re looking to support meaningful causes, create giving traditions with your family, or uplift your community during the winter months, there are many ways to practice generosity that fit a range of goals and resources.
We’ve listed here ten meaningful ways to contribute positively during this Season of Giving. Some ideas involve financial commitments while others are completely free, but each are powerful and capable of generating real impact.
1. Support Organizations Aligned With Your Values
The Season of Giving is an opportunity to reflect on the issues that matter most to you and identify nonprofits that reflect those values.
Ask yourself:
What communities or causes do I feel called to support?
Which organizations demonstrate a clear, measurable impact?
Where can my contributions make the greatest difference?
Applying approaches like mapping values, vetting nonprofits, and analyzing programmatic impact can help you give with confidence to organizations that align closely with your goals. Amplified Consulting Services offers these custom resources, along with others, to ensure your generosity supports meaningful outcomes.
2. Set Up a Recurring Monthly Gift
Small, recurring donations can help create stability for nonprofits during their busiest season and throughout the upcoming year. Even a $10–$25 monthly commitment can make a measurable difference to the nonprofit you choose to support. Monthly gifts can help nonprofits:
Plan ahead
Maintain essential programs year-round
Reduce fundraising uncertainties
3. Support Direct Community Needs (Financial or In-Kind Donations)
Winter is a challenging time for many families, especially those experiencing food insecurity or housing instability. Supporting local organizations through financial gifts or donated items can be particularly impactful by helping to address immediate needs.
Consider giving:
Winter coats, hats, socks, gloves
Hygiene kits
Grocery store gift cards
Nonperishable foods
Blankets or tents
Local nonprofits and shelters often share high-need lists online. Be sure to check with the organization to determine which items would be most helpful to the individuals they serve, in addition to confirming their capacity for taking in donations.
4. Volunteer Your Time
Your presence can be just as valuable as your donations. Volunteering can include:
Serving meals
Sorting donations
Delivering groceries
Mentoring or tutoring youth
Organizing holiday drives
This is an excellent way to make a tangible impact while connecting more deeply with members of your community. Nonprofits often post volunteering opportunities online. Consider getting a group of friend, family, or coworkers together to serve together!
5. Offer Your Professional Skills
Skill-based volunteering can be an especially powerful form of generosity, and an opportunity to engage in a way that is unique to you. Many nonprofits need help with:
Writing or communications
Social media or web design
Data evaluation or analysis
Legal or compliance guidance
Strategic planning
Grant writing or management
The skills you already have can strengthen a nonprofit’s systems and efficiency, allowing them to serve more efficiently.
6. Use Your Voice to Raise Awareness
Short on time right now? There’s an option for you too! Not all generosity involves giving your money or time. Raising awareness can be a great way to support nonprofits and the communities they serve.
Share on social media about:
Nonprofits doing important work in your community
A cause you or your family cares about
Community needs that are overlooked or underresourced
Your networks may include people who can donate, volunteer, or help in other ways. Look for opportunities to move your awareness efforts offline by discussing a cause you’re passionate about with a friend or family member.
7. Start a Family Giving Tradition
The Season of Giving provides a wonderful opportunity to create meaningful family traditions of generosity. Try gathering as a family to:
Discuss values and causes you care about
Choose an organization you’ll support together
Let children help select a mission or group to serve
Sign up for a family volunteer day
Create a December “kindness calendar” to follow
These traditions nurture empathy, purpose, and service that your family can carry forward for years to come.
8. Organize a Community Fundraiser or Donation Drive
You don’t need to organize a major event to make a difference. Consider:
Hosting a mini fundraising campaign through social media
Organizing a neighborhood coat or food collection drive
Creating a group giving challenge with friends or coworkers to support causes of choice
Small, collective actions add up quickly, while simultaneously bringing communities together. You might even meet a new neighbor!
9. Spread Encouragement to Nonprofit Staff
The Season of Giving is often the busiest, and potentially stressful, time for nonprofit workers trying to balance year-end goals, fundraising uncertainties, and holiday schedules. A simple note of gratitude or encouragement can mean more than you think.
Consider:
Sending a thank-you email to an organization you respect
Writing a positive social media review or website comment
Dropping off treats or a small gift to a local organization
Recognition is a powerful act of generosity, and can keep people motivated to continue making a difference!
10. Commit to Learning About a Cause You Care About
Education is its own act of generosity. Understanding the issues nonprofits work to address helps you give more intentionally and advocate more effectively for their mission.
You can:
Read books or articles about a particular cause
Listen to podcasts or interviews from people directly impacted
Attend community webinars or meetings
Seek out voices with lived experience
Learning helps create deeper, more sustainable engagement. Dedicating time to educate yourself on issues that may not impact you personally can also be a meaningful approach to engaging with your community.
How Amplified Consulting Services Can Support You During the Season of Giving
A thoughtful and informed approach to giving can create an even greater impact. Amplified Consulting Services offers tools and customized support to help family foundations and philanthropists:
Define values and giving priorities
Identify trustworthy, effective nonprofits that align with their mission
Analyze program impact using evidence-based criteria
Create personalized giving plans
Understand nonprofit transparency and financial practices
Build long-term philanthropic strategies
Whether you're giving financially or through your time, skills, or voice, we’re here to help you make an impact that truly reflects your values.