Whether you’re giving out of pure generosity or a mild panic as April 15 creeps closer, this is your moment. From Escanaba to Traverse City to Detroit, Michigan has no shortage of nonprofits asking for support. Animal rescues, veteran services, environmental groups – you name it, there’s an organization working hard to stretch every dollar and keep the lights on. And as the year winds down, their donation appeals are lighting up social media feeds everywhere, all hoping to catch your eye before the calendar flips.

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All across the state, inboxes are also filling up with last-minute donation pleas – and right on schedule, the ASPCA’s tear-jerking commercials featuring sad-eyed animals are back in heavy rotation on TV.

Donate where YOU want.

There’s also no shortage of organizations and people on social media telling you what you should care about. But when it comes to your time and money, feel free to tune out the noise and do what feels right for you. What matters to you? Animals? Veterans? The homeless? Food banks? Cancer research? Support the causes that actually make you feel good about giving and with organizations who make a real difference.

And when you’re ready to turn that intention into action, there’s one more thing worth considering. Consider giving locally. There’s something powerful about knowing exactly where your dollars land. Local nonprofits tend to stretch donations further, move faster, and respond to real needs you can actually see – whether that’s a food pantry keeping shelves stocked, a shelter fixing a leaky roof, or a rescue covering emergency vet bills. You’re not funding a national headquarters or a glossy marketing campaign; you’re helping keep the lights on for people and causes right in your own backyard. And when you give close to home, you’re more likely to see the impact firsthand – sometimes literally in your own neighborhood.

Do a quick check before you give.

And before clicking “donate,” take a minute to see where your money actually goes. Look for nonprofits with strong transparency and low overhead, so your dollars fund real work – not just office furniture and salaries. You can check out groups through websites like GuideStar and Charity Navigator.

How you can donate.

Check the fine print on deadlines. For donations to count this tax year, they must be processed by December 31 – not just written on a check or planned in your head. Online gifts must clear before midnight. And whatever you do, don’t forget the paper trail. Save receipts and confirmation emails — especially for gifts over $250, which require written acknowledgment from the nonprofit for tax purposes.