Maximize your own resources.

While it's helpful to wield a ladle at a nearby local homeless shelter or stuff envelopes for a fundraising campaign, a non-profit could benefit much more from the professional skills you've accumulated. If you're an accountant, volunteer to help with the books; if you're a lawyer, offer to negotiate the charity's next contract.

Branstetter is using her public relations experience to help Starfish raise its profile among potential supporters, spearheading a marketing and communications committee comprising a half-dozen professionals.

"To hire a company to do the same thing would have cost Starfish thousands of dollars, easily," she says. (Remember to keep track of your travel to and from the charity: You can deduct it from your taxable income to the tune of 14¢ a mile.)

Clean out the garage, attic, basement ... Late Aunt Ethel's unused end table, the boxes of books that are gathering dust, the old appliances that you replaced over Christmas -- donate them to the ReStore where they will be resold to fund homes for the needy.  You'll help families that could desperately use a home for thier family, and you'll get a tax deduction for their fair market value.

Why not just hold a garage sale and donate the proceeds? Because the ReStore does a much better job attracting those in need, says Buzz Morley for the Charlotte ReStore located in North Carolina. "Many people who hold garage sales end up donating to us anyway," he says, "because they couldn't sell the items."

For larger items that will not fit in your car many ReStores will send a truck to your doorstep. " Of course the donation should be of sufficient value to cover the costs associated with picking up items," says Morley " Couches, appliances, nice cabinetry are all good canidates for pick up service."  Keep in mind though they will be very busy after Christmas so call early and get on the schedule.