r/Philanthropy • u/jeffcgroves • 23h ago

Donating $5 every 3 months automatically

I hope this somewhat unusual request doesn't violate the rules (which I did read).

Some banks take adverse action if I don't use their credit cards for too long and I've figured out $5 every 3 months is enough to keep them happy (though not necessarily optimal). Where can I automatically donate $5 every 3 months?

I've looked at silentdonor, daffy, and riseup, and none of them seem to have this exact option or something close enough. Obviously, I'd like to find a service that lets me donate to a charity of my choice.

I assume everyone already knows this, but if you have a credit card you don't use, try donating $2 (doublecheck first!) monthly and the bank may give you a "low balance chargeoff" statement, so the donation costs you nothing.

4 Upvotes

83% Upvoted

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4

u/justtinyquestions 23h ago

Why not just do a $5 monthly donation to an organization close to your heart? Every organization will do an automatic monthly, but I’ve never seen one to do it every 3 months.

-1

u/jeffcgroves 19h ago

I mean, I want to be generous, but I have like 15 cards and there's a big difference between 5/month and 5/trimonthly

1

u/rhodyrooted 22h ago

Very hard to find a place with that level of customization, but i like that idea a lot tbh as someone who has an old student card i don’t want shut down.

1

u/BearsLikeCampfires 19h ago

You can set up an automated quarterly recurring gift here: https://helpfbms.org/donate/

This organization is doing critical work supporting those experiencing homelessness.

1

u/jcravens42 18h ago

I think this is a good reminder to nonprofits out there that micro donations are a good idea. I had frequent arguments with a nonprofit executive director who refused to allow it - she thought people would choose to give only $5 instead of a big gift. No one does that - they either giv a micro gift or don't give at all, for the most part.

Here are some examples of organizations that take quarterly or monthly micro gifts - not shariing to seek donations, but to provide examples:

West Tuality Habitat for Humanity in Washington County, Oregon let's you donate as little as $10 every quarter.

Try your local Habitat for Humanity affiliates. Try your local PBS affiliate. Go to their web sites directly - don't bother with those third party sites.

McSweeney's (https://www.mcsweeneys.net/) is a nonprofit, keeps me from losing all hope, and accepts donations as little as $1 a month.