Anyone else singing “I get by with a little help from my friends” on repeat these days?
That sentiment has been at the heart of many nonprofit organizations for years, and more so now than ever. And while in-person volunteering is off the table for most at the moment, you can still help local nonprofits serve our neighbors in need. Here’s how.
1. Donate the cost of your ticket, table or sponsorship.
Planned to attend an event for a nonprofit that got canceled or postponed? Send the nonprofit a donation in the amount of the ticket(s) you had planned to purchase or table you had planned to buy.
Nonprofits rely heavily on revenue from events and are finding themselves with gaping holes in their annual budgets. Do what you can to support them even if there is not an event to enjoy.
2. Buy a membership or a season pass.
Several of our nonprofits have memberships available that allow you to interact with the organization more frequently and at a lower price. You may not be able to visit them right now, but think of it as a rain check for when we’re on the other side of this mess.
Start with these:
- Arkansas Arts Center
- Historic Arkansas Museum
- Little Rock Zoo
- Mosaic Templar Cultural Center
- Museum of Discovery
- Old Statehouse Museum
- Acansa
- Arkansas Symphony Orchestra
- Ballet Arkansas
- The Rep
- Thea Foundation
3. Post about them on social media.
We’re all interacting with our screens and social media feeds more than ever, so why not help your fave nonprofit by pointing others in their direction? Several nonprofits are offering virtual exhibits, concerts and other programming on social media. Watch, comment, like and share their content to spread the word. This literally costs nothing but five minutes of your time.
4. Hit pause on cleaning out your closet.
We see many of you hopping on the spring cleaning train and your “to donate” pile keeps growing. But before you drop it off at a nonprofit, find out what items they actually need. The last thing you want is to overwhelm them with unnecessary items, especially as most have changed their physical donation process to account for COVID-19. Many have set up Amazon Wish Lists that you can shop and have delivered straight to their offices.
Shop here:
5. Sew masks.
So many nonprofit organizations and health organizations are interacting daily with clients who may be carrying the virus. Help keep them safe by sewing masks for their staff and clients. Some local groups and businesses are even supplying sewing volunteers with materials to make masks and organizing drop off and delivery to those in need.
Here are a few in need of masks:
- CASA
- Our House
- Women & Children First
- Arkansas Children’s Hospital
6. Give them a call.
Not sure what your nonprofit of choice needs? Hop on the phone and ask. Likely the best thing you can do is make a donation, but you never know if you don’t ask.
Pro tip: Any size donation helps. If you think it’s silly to donate $10, think again. Our nonprofit community needs you now more than ever.
Looking for a nonprofit to help, but don’t have a favorite? Start here.
Find more information like this here: How to Do Quarantine in Little Rock