Whereas it is true that charities have been hit hard by the recession, it would be a tragedy if they went away altogether, especially with all the good they do for society. But as donors tighten their belts, new methods of fundraising need to be considered for our favorite charities to survive. In this paradigm shift the world is seeing, the good ol’ days of fundraising are giving way to ‘outside the box’ thinking.

So what’s a donor to do? Here are some tips to consider for donating in a recessive economy.

1. Determine how you want to approach your philanthropic donations. For one, you could just focus on those specific charities or causes that you are most passionate about. On the other hand, you can simply reduce the amount you give across the board.

2. A great way to give to your favorite charity is to volunteer your time. Sometimes a helping hand is equally or more valuable. Whether it be taking on the role of an event Chair or soliciting auction items your time can go a long way to increase revenue. You can also donate in-kind items, such as a week stay at your vacation home or 100,000 points from your American Express account, which can go a long way towards the air travel for an auction travel package.

3. Many of us give up things for Lent, right? But who in their right etiquette mind would consider giving up hostess gifts? Yet, consider if you will for that next dinner party you’re invited to, making a small donation to your host’s favorite charity. I mean, really, who needs another scented candle? Giving on behalf of another, is like giving twice!

4. Do you cringe with the realization that sometimes the gala dress may have cost more than the amount you donated to the actual charity? When it comes to parties, streamline. It is perfectly acceptable to reuse gowns from galas gone by. Really, who’s going to remember? For some, a simple re-accessorizing and you’re good to go.

On the other hand, you could also borrow a gown through VivaSwap. With over a hundred thousand dollars of designer gowns in inventory, members may borrow rather than buy. The ‘price of admission’ is merely the donation of a gown. Easy and cheap. From Badgely Mischka to Oscar de la Renta and from size 2 to 14, all that is asked is that some portion of the money saved be donated directly to the charity. Voila – everybody wins!

So, with a little creative thinking you can still give back in a meaningful way, from donating your time to wearing a borrowed gown. And know that everyone is in the same boat, so have fun. It’s the small things in life, and fundraising, that count.

[Photo from Mindful One via Flickr]