Charity on the cheap: Online opportunities to give without spending

With the global economy in the throes of what could be the worst recession in decades, consumers have made dramatic cutbacks in discretionary spending.

That includes donations to charitable causes and nonprofit organisations, many of which supply critical aid to vulnerable populations worldwide.

"It usually takes nonprofits about six months to feel the effects of a recession, and we're now starting to hear that many are struggling," Sandra Minuitti, vice president of marketing at Charity Navigator, told the E-Commerce Times.

That's not surprising, considering the National Bureau of Economic Research announced on 1 December that the US has been in a recession since December 2007.

Thanks to technology, though, consumers can still make donations to the charities they most care about without breaking the bank.

A variety of Internet services are available to those who may want to give a little, even when household budgets are tight.

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