Giving to people in need is clearly a positive act. And while that may seem obvious, the holiday season is already upon us — the period many economists dub The Giving Season. Charitable contributions surge in November and December as people observe Thanksgiving, Christmas and other year-end festivities. What’s another nice thing? Free perks, naturally, and we’ve compiled a roundup of charity freebies and discounts to further encourage a generous mindset.
How to Score Charity Freebies and Discounts
Contributing to charity can bring both tangible and financial advantages. There are, of course, tax perks. But many groups also attract support by handing out special tokens of appreciation to donors. From complimentary movie passes and gift cards to tax breaks, below are several organizations that provide incentives and benefits to those who give.
Tax Advantages
Few things dampen holiday cheer like worrying about taxes that arrive a few months after celebrations end. Charitable contributions, however, are a well-known avenue for potential tax deductions. A deduction can lower your overall taxable income. For donations, you typically need to itemize — that means listing each gift individually instead of taking the standard deduction.
Because we’re covering both charity freebies and savings, remember: you can’t deduct the portion of your donation that represents a received gift. If you donate $50 and get a $20 gift card in return, only $30 is deductible on your tax return. Secondhand shops such as Goodwill and The Salvation Army also provide guides to help donors calculate deductions for items they give.
Blood Drives
Donating blood is a critical charitable act that saves countless lives daily. After giving blood you might feel slightly woozy, so most donation drives supply donors with sweet snacks to help recover. This often means a cookie or some orange juice — or perhaps a treat that helps you enjoy a future movie.
OneBlood, a larger blood bank known for the Big Red Bus initiative, provides two complimentary movie tickets plus an additional gift. That extra item could be merchandise like blankets, T-shirts, reusable cups or even a $20 e-gift card.
The Red Cross likewise rotates a selection of tokens for blood contributors. Past offerings have included $10 gift cards, Fandango passes and similar items like OneBlood’s giveaways.
Toys For Tots
What’s the holidays without a toy drive? Toys For Tots is one of the season’s most recognized charities, gathering toys to brighten the holidays of children in need. Its collections happen almost everywhere — schools, restaurants, retailers and local businesses across the country once the season ramps up.
Toys For Tots operates in a decentralized fashion, relying on local businesses and groups to act as sponsors. So there isn’t a single standardized reward for donating, but there are plenty of creative incentives. Restaurants sometimes offer perks to donors, and one community drive in Pompano Beach even raffled off free passes aboard the Goodyear Blimp. That’s a memorable example of charity freebies and savings with flair.
WWF
World Wildlife Fund is one of the globe’s foremost conservation organizations, protecting at-risk species since 1961. In addition to running a gift shop whose proceeds support their mission, they often provide free gifts alongside donations. The fun part: depending on your donation level, you may select the gift you prefer.
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
St. Jude is a nonprofit hospital that provides free medical care and treatment to children facing severe illnesses. The organization saves thousands of lives annually and produces essential research on previously untreatable diseases. You can support them with monetary gifts, and their gift shop helps you stretch your dollars while doing good.
St. Jude’s official gift shop stocks apparel, scented candles, holiday ornaments and more, with all proceeds funding their work. The ornaments and candles are attractive and often cheaper than similar items elsewhere. So rather than shopping only at national retailers, you can save money and support a worthy cause by buying from St. Jude.
Other Ways to Find Charity Freebies and Savings
There are many ways to contribute without emptying your wallet. Beyond donating clothes and participating in blood drives, which we’ve covered, you can volunteer at food banks or offer job-search assistance to those in need.
Check out smaller, local charities too — they often have offers similar to larger groups. Community food banks, churches, shelters and neighborhood organizations frequently host events that include free activities, meals and items for participants.
Another option is to seek employment with a charitable organization. Nonprofits still hire for a wide range of paid roles, and many people find meaningful work helping others. Job boards like Indeed list numerous open charity positions across different sectors.
Finally, stay alert for warnings about charity scams and make sure the groups you support are legitimate before donating.
Michael Rowens has worked as a freelance writer since 2017, with pieces appearing in various regional and national outlets.
