You're careful with your money all year, so it only makes sense that you'd want to be careful with the way you donate it too. Check out Consumerism Commentary's article, 3 Things You Need to Know Before Giving to Charity, for a quick primer on the subject. Then, check out some of these frugal giving ideas:
Have you found a creative way to fit charitable giving into your budget? Do you know of other no-cost or low-cost ways to give? Share your tips and spread the giving bug.
You can donate money indirectly, by donating items you no longer need/want to your local Habitat for Humanity, Goodwill or Salvation Army thrift store.
you can give just by clicking on a website at http://www.thehungersite.com
there are also links to click-to-give for causes like breast cancer, children’s health, books for kids, preserving the rainforest and buying food for animal shelters. i recommend this site to everyone! make it your homepage and click daily to save lives
Let’s not forget that you can volunteer! If you can’t donate money to an organization, you could donate some of your time.