During challenging times, nonprofits often face greater demand for services while also dealing with funding and resource shortages.

Nonprofit organizations often face growing demand for services while working with limited funding and resources. At the same time, many families and communities continue to struggle with financial hardship, making support services even more important.

Even small acts of generosity can make a meaningful difference. If you want to support nonprofit organizations but can’t make a large donation right now, there are still many ways to help.

Here are seven free or low-cost ways to support nonprofits and strengthen your community.

1. Subscribe for emails. This is by far the least expensive way for charities to communicate with those who care about their mission. Most offer options for how often you’ll receive their emails. You can subscribe to our quarterly newsletters here. Then forward the emails to your friends and colleagues who will find the content interesting and encourage them to subscribe too.
   
   
2. Help spread awareness. The cost of marketing and advertising can be substantial and is often the first cut nonprofits make when money is tight. Social media was once a free way to reach people who care about specific causes. Sadly, platforms including Facebook, Instagram and X/Twitter have begun showing posts to only a fraction of followers so that nonprofits must pay for boosts to reach the very people who have asked to see their posts.
   
   Here’s how you can help your favorite organization reach more people for free:
   
   • Visit their pages regularly (because you’re likely not seeing the majority of their posts.) Share their posts and leave a quick comment. This engagement helps to expand the reach of the post.
   
   • Share their page and ask your friends to follow them too. Briefly explain what the organization does and why you think they’re great.
   
   • Participate in their awareness campaigns. Some organizations have created interactive campaigns to help spread awareness of their mission.
   
   • Give your friends the chance to help. Facebook allows you to ask your friends to give to your favorite charity as your birthday gift. Donations as small as $5 can really add up!
   
   
3. Shop for Good. Speaking of gifts, purchases that you need to make anyway can support the organizations that you care about:
   
   • If you’re looking to buy a gift for someone else, consider making a purchase from the online store of a charity that is important to them. They’ll get a great gift and will be delighted that your purchase helped to support a cause they care about. You can get a cool t-shirt for your favorite Oral Health Action HERO here or find a list of online stores that benefit the greater good here.
   
   • Need to make a beauty product purchase? PopSonic is donating a toothbrush through America’s ToothFairy for every item sold on their website.
   
   • Stock up on supplies listed on our Products With a Cause page. A portion of sales is donated to support our mission. (Interested in adding your product or service to our list? Contact Jill at jmalmgren@ncohf.org.)
   
   
4. Volunteer. It is more essential than ever for children to have access to oral hygiene products to not only protect their smiles from tooth decay but also to help prevent the spread of disease. You can help by participating in our Smile Drive campaign:
   
   • Hold a virtual Smile Drive by registering here. When you sign up, you’ll be provided with a unique campaign page and other resources to help safety-net dental clinics provide toothbrushes to kids who need them the most.
   
   • Donate toothbrushes to feeding programs. Many schools and food banks are providing meals to children who qualify for free lunches through their school. These are the very same children who would benefit most from a donation of toothbrushes and other oral care items. Consider purchasing toothbrushes and donating them to your local feeding program. You can find great deals from one of our long-time product donors at SmileMakers.com or online retailers like Amazon. Be sure to let us know about your good deed by reporting your donation here.
   
   Find other ways to help our cause with our Get Involved Volunteer Tool.
   
   
5. Attend future events. Check nonprofits' websites or Facebook pages for upcoming events. You can find ours here.
   
   
6. Give small. Some people believe that if they can’t afford to donate a lot of money, they can’t make a difference. This simply isn’t true! Setting up a small, monthly gift that is charged automatically is a fantastic way to support a cause you care about. A simple $10 or $20 monthly donation won’t leave you strapped for cash but can make a big difference, especially in the lives of lower-income families. Through our Be the ToothFairy campaign, your low monthly pledge can help up to five kids get regular preventive care in the next year.
   
   
7. Give big. When families face financial hardship, children’s dental care is often delayed or overlooked. The nonprofit dental clinics and oral health programs supported by America’s ToothFairy help children access preventive care, treatment, and education that support healthy smiles and healthier futures. Your gift helps make these services possible for children in underserved communities. Donate on our website to join our cause and make a difference!
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When communities come together, lives change for the better.

Nonprofit organizations play an important role in helping children and families access the care, education, and support they need to thrive. No matter which causes you choose to support, your generosity creates meaningful impact. Thank you for helping make a difference.

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