Colorado Gives Day: Don't let the number of options prevent you from giving!

I have had the  opportunity to sit on several non-profit Boards and, for the last six years, have organized an HR skills-based volunteer group, HRunlocked, that requires vetting several local non-profits throughout the year.

As Colorado Gives Day approaches (tomorrow), I realize I may have taken for granted how difficult it can be for many people to choose which non-profit to support when there are so many viable organizations doing great work. With so many options, we run the risk of “paralysis by analysis” and end up not participating at all.

My Mercer colleague, James Bernstein , a student of behavioral economics, likes to point out how people make -or don’t make- choices when presented with too many options. He frequently references the work of Dr. Sheena Iyengar and her famous “Jam” study where, when presented with 24 types of jams, only 3% of consumers made the choice to purchase one; when only six jams were offered, however, 30% of people moved forward with a purchase. I cannot help but wonder if, when offered so many great non-profit choices, we simply can’t select just one and, therefore, don’t select any.

For those of you who wish to donate this Colorado Gives Day but have not selected an organization (or two) to support, there are several ways to narrow down the list. 

First, the Colorado Gives Day website make it easy by allowing you search by cause; everything from animals to mental health to youth sports and military are represented. You can also search by non-profit name if you would like to donate to an organization with which you are already familiar. Another option is to support a friend or family member who serves on a non-profit board. For example, I have close friends who serve on the boards of Judi’s House, Book Trust and Firefly Autism; all of which are vetted, viable and powerful organizations in our city.

For me, it was helpful to create a giving brand for myself. I focus my time and resources on organizations that are working to remove barriers to employment. Organizations like Women’s Bean Project, Blind Institute of Technology and Step Denver are examples of organizations that focus on this cause.

So, set your giving budget, find your way to narrow your options and GIVE! 

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