How To! How To Give to a Good Cause—and Make It Count
Dec 2, 2025
In this engaging discussion, Grace Chang-Nicollett, Vice President at the Center for Effective Philanthropy, shares her insights on effective charitable giving. She clarifies myths about nonprofits and emphasizes the importance of understanding who truly benefits from donations. Grace also highlights that lower-income individuals often give a higher percentage of their income. Discover practical tips on giving amounts, alternatives like time and talent, and how to evaluate nonprofits beyond mere financial ratios. It's a compelling guide for making your generosity count!
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Childhood Hanukkah Donation Tradition
- Sophie Summergrad's parents gave donations in her name as a child instead of traditional gifts, often to Heifer International.
- As a kid she found it confusing, but now appreciates her mother's lesson about using gifts to help others.
Nonprofits Face Growing Demand And Funding Loss
- Grace Chang-Nicollett reports many nonprofits are more worried than ever about survival due to growing needs and funding losses.
- A third of nonprofits report significant government funding losses while demand has not decreased since COVID.
Low Overhead Is A Misleading Metric
- Low overhead ratios are a misleading measure of nonprofit effectiveness and can harm organizations.
- Grace urges donors to give unrestricted funds so nonprofits can attract talent and address needs flexibly.