By Michelle Skinner, Communications Director

In Montana, giving often starts close to home. Whether it’s supporting a local family after a wildfire, helping a community food pantry, or, my favorite, contributing to a youth livestock auction, small acts of generosity can have a big impact on our neighbors.

But sometimes, and especially around the holidays, money is tight. So while we want to give and give often to all of the fantastic nonprofits across Montana, it’s important to stretch that impact without stretching our budget too far. The good news? You don’t need a large bank account to make a meaningful difference.

Here are four ways to stretch your charitable impact this holiday season.

Remember That Time Can Be as Valuable as Money

When people think about charity, they often think about financial contributions first. But volunteering can be just as powerful. In fact, the estimated national value of a volunteer hour was $36.14 in 2025, showing the meaningful contributions volunteers make in communities across the country without spending a dollar.

Whether you’re hosting a seasonal food drive, hanging out with cats at the local animal shelter, or mentoring youth, your time provides nonprofits with resources they may not otherwise be able to afford. In rural communities, especially, donating your time can go a long way toward helping nonprofits stretch limited resources and serve neighbors across vast distances.

Bonus: Consider combining both approaches. A modest donation paired with a few volunteer hours can often have a greater overall impact than either one alone.

Give to a Cause They Care About

For the person on your gift list who swears they don’t need a thing, consider making a charitable donation in their honor instead of buying a traditional gift. A donation to a Montana nonprofit that’s meaningful to them is a thoughtful way to celebrate the season while making a positive impact.

A charitable gift honors the spirit of giving in two ways: it’s the perfectly sized gift for all of the hard-to-buy-for people on your list while helping a local cause that matters to them. It’s a meaningful alternative to traditional gift-giving and one that can create lasting impact long after the holidays are over.

To choose the perfect — and reputable — charity, start at this blog.

Create Family Traditions Around Giving

The holidays are an ideal time to involve children and grandchildren in charitable giving. Family philanthropy experts note that giving together helps strengthen family bonds, encourages conversations about shared values, and creates a tradition of giving that can span generations.

Simple traditions can make a big difference:

• Let each family member choose a charity to support
• Take time to volunteer together during the holiday season
• Set aside a portion of your holiday budget for charitable giving (see below on how your local credit union can help)
• Create “save, spend, share” jars for younger children to see where their allowance goes

These experiences help children learn that giving is not just something to do with extra money. It’s a habit rooted in compassion and community.

Don’t Underestimate Small Gifts

Many people assume that charitable giving only matters if the donation is large. In reality, nonprofits depend on gifts of all sizes. According to charitable giving data, individual donors continue to account for the majority of charitable contributions in the United States.

A $10 donation to a local food bank, a few items dropped into a toy drive, or a winter coat donated to a shelter may seem small on its own. But when combined with the generosity of hundreds or thousands of others, those contributions can create substantial community impact, especially to our smaller, local Montana non-profits.

How Credit Unions Can Help

Credit unions are built on the philosophy of people helping people, making them a natural partner for individuals and families looking to make a positive impact. Many credit unions host supply drives, organize volunteer projects, sponsor community events, and provide financial education that strengthens communities.

They can also help members create budgets that make room for charitable giving, establish savings goals for year-end donations, and build healthy financial habits that create generosity throughout the year.

The Bottom Line

This holiday season, remember that giving isn’t measured solely by dollar signs or the number of gifts under the tree. Whether you contribute your time, money, or supply drive item, every act of generosity helps build stronger Montana communities. And when families make giving a shared tradition, the impact can last far beyond the holidays.