After the turmoil of the last few years, many of us are counting our blessings in 2022. That may mean committing to be more intentional with your time and money this year.
How can you truly give more of yourself in a meaningful way? Maybe you want to volunteer your time, have a unique talent to share, or perhaps you have good financial fortune and wish to donate more.
At Woven Capital, we’ve always made giving back a priority. That’s why we regularly volunteer, donating both our time and money to organizations that hit closest to home.
If making an impact is a core value of yours as well, consider these local volunteer opportunities that we’ve rounded up below.
The Impact of Volunteering
Giving your time to organizations or causes you care about is one of the most effective ways to make an impact in your local community.
Since the start of Covid, organizations in California have been consistently short on volunteers and supplies. Helping out where you can now more than ever is essential to keeping these causes going strong.
Challenge yourself this year to make volunteering a priority. Create a schedule, and commit to giving your time to others regularly—it could be one hour a week or a couple of hours every quarter. No matter what, building a consistent schedule empowers you to keep your volunteer efforts a priority throughout the year.
Where Should You Volunteer?
If giving back is a core value, the next question is: Where should you start?
We recommend thinking about the things you enjoy most. Are you an avid animal lover with adopted dogs or cats at home? The animal shelter could use a compassionate volunteer like you to help out. Or maybe your green thumb has grown in recent years, and the local parks or community gardens need assistance.
Volunteering should be a fulfilling endeavor, and giving your time to causes you’re passionate about will keep you fulfilled and engaged long-term.
Charitable Contributions
With in-person volunteering limited because of Covid, there are other ways to help. Making charitable contributions allows you to reduce your taxable income while helping causes close to home.
For the 2021 tax year, you can deduct up to $300 (or $600 if married filing jointly) from your taxes for eligible contributions. If you haven’t maxed out your deduction in the past, consider the dual benefits of giving more to an organization in need and utilizing an important financial benefit.
If possible, make your charitable intent stretch even further with a multidimensional donation. Offering a charitable contribution, donating items in need, or giving your time—any combination of these things can stretch your impact even farther.
Amazing Volunteer Opportunities in Redding, CA
Our team is passionate about volunteering in the local community, and we’re excited to help our clients find their own opportunities to give back as well. Below we’ve rounded up a few organizations expecting donations, volunteers, and/or items and could use a value-driven individual like you to help.
Environment
Northern California is home to some of the most beautiful and diverse land in the country, and it takes lots of manpower to protect it.
The Shasta Land Trust has been built and sustained by volunteers for over 20 years. From staffing booths at local events to rolling up your sleeves for a restoration project, there’s a wide variety of volunteer opportunities for nature enthusiasts.
Considered the largest regional organization committed to protecting and restoring the San Francisco Bay, Save The Bay is a non-profit organization built on the drive and generosity of volunteers. This organization offers a diverse set of volunteer opportunities for individuals, schools, and businesses.
Animals
The Haven Humane Society believes every dog is a good dog, meaning every pet deserves a loving home. They’re always looking for dedicated volunteers to help directly and indirectly with the caring and rehoming of their animals. From providing transportation, doing laundry, or staffing a booth to cuddling with kittens and walking the dogs – there is no shortage of opportunities to make a difference in an animal’s life this year.
If you’re interested in adoption, volunteering, or donating to help animals in the community check out the Peninsula Humane Society. They help find homes for pet animals and care for native wildlife.
If you’re not in the position to adopt but still want to help out the animals, you can donate pet food, supplies, and more at East Bay SPCA.
Museums
The Turtle Bay Museum is an enchanting place where art, science, history, and forestry come together to create a memorable experience for families and kids. The Turtle Bay Exploration Park receives the help of over 500 volunteers who put in about 23,000+ hours of work every year. The organization needs volunteers to regularly assist with the museum exhibits, among other opportunities.
As a bonus, volunteers who log over 75 hours a year receive a free family membership to the park.
Food Banks
Dignity Health is the designated food bank for Shasta County. Their operations have been impacted by Covid, as they currently serve drive-through only with no open on-site dining. They are, however, always accepting volunteers and donations, as demand to keep the community fed has grown significantly during the pandemic.
Woven Capital’s Commitment to Doing Good
We believe there’s more to your finances than just the numbers. Those numbers should have meaning behind them, and they should be there to support your ideal life. If you’re like us, that ideal life includes aligning your wealth with your desire to do good in the world.
If you’re focused on a values-driven financial philosophy, we may be a good match. From finding local spots for volunteering to identifying SRI opportunities for your portfolio, we’re here to bring your values to every part of your financial plan.
Feel free to reach out to discuss how we may be able to bring value to your personal and financial well-being.