The end of a year for a business means many things.  Reviewing what worked and what did not, setting up a plan for the coming year, and my favorite thing: giving back.  I’m a firm believer in giving things away in order to have it come back to you tenfold.  With that I want to share my three favorite charities with you.

1. Forgotten Harvest – This charity collects unused food items from local restaurants and grocery stores and then gets them into the hands of people that need it the most.  Unlike a typical food bank, they help to distribute fresh fruit, vegetables, and baked goods and not just canned goods and non-perishable items.
2. Michigan Anti-Cruelty Society – About 11 years ago we adopted “the best dog ever” from this group.  Working for those that have no voice, they are tireless advocates of the four legged and furry variety.
3. Kiva – This charity has a unique spin to it.  Instead of a straight donation you are lending money to a specific person or a group to help fund a commercial endeavor.  These micro-loans are distributed to people trying to improve their lives.  You receive monthly payments back on the loan over a 6-12 month period.  You can lend as little as $25 at a time.  The fun part is that once you receive the $25 back into your account you can re-loan the money to someone else.

What are your favorite charities to give to?  Remember that there are only a few days left during this year to get a tax benefit.  I find though that making charitable giving a monthly task far more fulfilling.  Plus there is no end of the year scramble.