Courtesy of DigitalTrends.com

With the holidays upon us, almost everyone is sharing the spirit of giving. And in the digital age where our smart phones are practically extensions of ourselves, why not give digital donations? Instead of getting lost in the plethora of apps out there in digital land, make things a little easier on yourself and take a look at these apps that made DigitalTrends blog’s holiday checklist:

VolunteerMatch (iOS)

This app lines up 100,000 US organizations with local volunteers. Volunteering opportunities range from helping out at animal shelters and literacy centers to opportunities helping with environmental causes. Use the live map for up-to-the-hour updates for referrals in your area.

instead (iOS)

Instead of buying that morning Starbucks coffee, or eating out, this app enables you to make donations of as little as $3 or $5 a day, with additional abilities to track and add donations. It also allows you to share your efforts on social media. Donations can be made to both international and local organizations affiliated with the app.

CharityMiles (iOS and Android)

Instead of joining a charitable walk or run this season, you can use your daily run, walk or biking session as “currency” for the donations. The app tracks the distance you cover and converts the miles to donations. For walkers and runners every mile will generate 25 cents, while bikers will earn 10 cents per mile.

One Today (Android)

A Google created app, this app allows you to donate up to $1 a day to the cause of your choice that has joined Google for Nonprofits. There is a 1.9 percent transaction fee for Google, but other than that the rest of your money will go straight to the nonprofit.

Donate a photo (iOS and Android)

Created by Johnson & Johnson, this app will contribute $1 for every photo uploaded, limiting users to one photo a day. The idea is centered on the fact that sharing compelling photos with friends and family via social media will encourage awareness and giving to the organizations involved with the project.

Finally, although not an app, it’s also important to mention that even Facebook has decided to join the holiday giving train, by adding the new “Donate Now” button to a select group of nonprofit business pages, making it even easier for people to donate to their favorite cause. Here are some of the features of this new addition:

Courtesy of TechCrunch.com

– It will collect credit card and billing information. Facebook however will not be charging for credit card donations, so that 100% of the proceeds go to the nonprofit of your choice.
– 19 non-profit launch partners will be displaying the button at the tops of their Facebook pages and the bottom of their News Feed posts (see above picture for a list of the participating nonprofits).
– Organizations can accept donations in a pop-up window in Facebook, rather than rerouting users to other sites.
– Allows users to spread the word about their favorite charities by sharing with their friends and family.

So remember, no matter what platform you use (smartphone, tablet, web, etc…) to make your holiday donation this year, be sure you have done your research and feel safe sharing your personal and billing information with the charity of your choice. Other than that, just cherish the holidays and the warm fuzzy feeling you get from giving to others.

Happy Holiday Giving!