Looking for a quick and effective way to dump money into your community in a meaningful way? I'd be glad to help you!

Donate to a worthy cause at donorschoose.org. A growing number of teachers are finding this a great way to get materials into their schools that are beyond the scope of their shrinking budgets.
http://www.donationtown.org/ is a great way to donate stuff you don't want or need anymore without having to leave your house, you schedule the pickup online.
There are many websites through which you can donate money, so I'll only mention two more: https://www.justgive.org/ and http://www.lic.org/aboutus.asp

Now let's think of things that are a lot more fun than just writing a check...

make kits containing personal care items for the homeless shelter nearest you.
find a grocery delivery service, I really like Winder Farms in Utah, and set up regular grocery delivery of essential food items for someone else.

Pay a local artist to paint a mural over some graffiti.
Sponsor a fund-raising event that is already organized, or commit to matching funds up to or beyond a certain dollar amount.

bring new toys to the cancer ward of a hospital.
donate money to a school so they can plant new trees and flowers.
hire an out-of-work or underemployed neighbor or teenager to fix things, work around the yard, or assist you with tasks.
distribute spa gift cards and certificates to teachers at a local school.
set up a scholarship.
donate to a local playhouse, zoo, or park.
get a $500 gift card to Walmart or Target for the person who will win first prize and hold a "Best Neighbor Contest."
sub 4 Santa
Hire a babysitter for someone else.
donate to Youth Service America.

This list is by no means exhaustive. But the most useful list for you will be one that you think of yourself.

“Money is like manure; it's not worth a thing unless it's spread around encouraging young things to grow.”

― Thornton Wilder, The Matchmaker

Community Creators