Giving Back

While your focus after leaving college is probably on paying your own bills, keep in mind that your finances won’t always be this tight. Someday, you will be in a position to give back. Remember, every little bit counts! Also, remember there’s more than one way to give!

Volunteer

You don’t need to have a lot of money to make a difference in your community. If you have free time, you have something to share with others.

• Consider volunteering in your community by serving as a mentor to a child in need through programs like Big Brothers Big Sisters.
• Offer to serve on the board of your local museum.
• Get involved by coordinating activities for 4-H or Girl Scouts.
• Donate a book to your community library.
• Volunteering can be as easy as mowing your elderly neighbor’s lawn!

Get involved with the alumni association at your alma mater

Alumni associations provide a wide range of opportunities to give back to the school you attended.

• You can volunteer your time through participating in career fairs, serving as a mentor for a student, or even providing feedback regarding your experience at your educational institution.
• You can support your school and its students by becoming a paid member of the alumni association — your membership dollars help fund scholarships and sponsor student programs and activities.

Donate to causes and programs that matter to you

If you find yourself in a financial position that allows you to make monetary donations, choose a cause that “speaks” to you. If you love animals, consider giving to your community humane society. If you were raised in the foster care system, give to a group that supports activities for foster care youths. The opportunities to give are endless. Some organizations, like United Way and Montana Shares, allow their donors to provide general gifts that are distributed among a number of worthy agencies. Again, every little bit counts. Give what you can afford — it will always be appreciated and it will make a difference.

Many employers make it easier for employees to give by providing payroll deductions as part of annual giving campaigns. That way, you can ask that your donation by deducted from your paychecks in smaller amounts rather than simply writing a check for the full amount.

To find out how to give to Student Assistance Foundation and its wide range of programs, click here.