Under the CARES Act, the US government has issued one-time cash payments of $1,200 to millions of Americans earning $75,000 or less across the country. While these stimulus checks come as lifelines to many Americans, helping them cover pressing expenses like rent payments and groceries, that’s not the case for all stimulus check recipients. Consequently, those who don’t urgently need the money from their stimulus checks are choosing to donate their stimulus money to help people in need. In this article, we’ll explore some of the many ways in which you can also donate your stimulus check to make a positive impact during this time of crisis.
Where to donate stimulus checks
For the many people who have been financially impacted by the coronavirus, your stimulus check donation could mean the world to them, perhaps allowing them to put food on the table or make rent for another month. Browse through the following list to gain inspiration on where to donate your stimulus check and make a difference.
1. Donate to a local restaurant
In the wake of the coronavirus pandemic, many local restaurants have been struggling to make ends meet. When federal aid isn’t enough to keep them afloat, it’s up to caring community members like you to step up and help them through these difficult times. You can use your stimulus money to support local restaurants in the following ways:
- Purchase meals, gift cards, or merchandise from them
- Donate to them directly
- Create a crowdfunding fundraiser on their behalf, or contribute to an existing fundraiser that they have set up
- Sponsor a shift meal at your local hospital and treat the entire ER staff their meals
- Donate to one of the following restaurant relief funds:
- Help Hourly Workers During the Coronavirus Crisis, which benefits hourly workers, including those who rely on tips
- The Restaurant Employee Relief Fund, which provides $500 grants to eligible restaurant workers affected by COVID-19
- The Bartender Emergency Assistance Program, which provides financial aid to bartenders during the coronavirus crisis
2. Donate to a small business
Local restaurants aren’t the only businesses that are struggling through these tough times. Many small businesses that rely on in-person experiences such as hair salons and retail stores are also suffering. Here are a few ways that you can help small businesses affected by the coronavirus:
- Buy gift cards or merchandise from them
- Make an advance payment on their services
- Make direct donations to them
- Crowdfund for them by creating online fundraisers, or contribute to existing small business relief fundraisers
- Donate to the Small Business Relief Fund, which helps small businesses that have been negatively impacted by COVID-19
3. Donate to your favorite artists
In times of crisis, people often turn to art to find meaning and comfort. Now, it’s time to return the favor and support artists that have carried you through hard times. If you’re wondering where to donate during the coronavirus, consider using your stimulus check to provide coronavirus relief for your favorite artists in the following ways:
- Buy their artwork or music
- Buy a ticket to one of their future shows or live performances
- Make direct donations to them
- Create fundraisers on their behalf
- Donate to relief funds like the Durham Artist Relief Fund or the Seattle Artist Relief Fund Amid COVID-19
4. Donate to a coronavirus-related fundraiser
In these uncertain times, crowdfunding offers a great way for compassionate people like you to fundraise for coronavirus causes. Check out the following fundraisers to gain ideas on where you can donate your stimulus check:
- Help healthcare providers and other frontline workers get PPE by donating to the Frontline Responders Fund
- Support a variety of community-based nonprofits through the Stand Together Foundation’s Help The Helpers campaign
- Support students who have been impacted by COVID-19 through fundraisers like FGLI Wesleyan Student Donations
- Help survivors of domestic violence during this time of crisis by donating to Respond’s emergency domestic violence hotline fundraiser
- Donate your stimulus check to immigrant families in need of emergency financial relief through this fundraiser
5. Donate to a cause you care about
Whether it’s to a local charity that you admire or an international movement that you’re a part of, you can use your stimulus money to help the causes you care about. Check out this list of organizations that are making a positive impact in the face of the coronavirus pandemic.
- Compass Family Services is supporting families who are experiencing homelessness with their fundraiser, Hotel Rooms for Homeless Families During Shelter-In-Place
- Intertribal Friendship House is ensuring the safety of native families and seniors through their Community Support Fund
- Lunchdebt.org founder Jeff Lew started the #ChefsForAmerica fundraiser and movement to benefit World Central Kitchen
- Topical Cream created the LGBTQi+ Creators Fund to support and empower LGBTQi+ and female-identifying creatives and live performers through the COVID-19 crisis
If you want to do more than just donate…
If you know of a person or organization that’s in need of financial support during this time of crisis, consider starting an online fundraiser on their behalf.
