The holiday season has arrived, and in this season of giving you may wish to make donations to the school district that helped shape you, or an alumni association for your alma mater. There are a lot of benefits to doing this, beyond just the tax deduction you will be able to claim in the new year. For alumni who wish to make an impact even if they’re no longer located in the same area as their school, this is a great opportunity to give back.

Here are just a few of the ways in which your donation can make an impact and why you should consider making a contribution if you’re feeling charitable over the holidays.

Provide opportunities for new students

Donating to your alma mater or alumni association helps to fund opportunities for new generations of students. Depending on the way in which you give, the money could help to fund scholarships, new course offerings, educational initiatives, important purchases and capital projects and extracurricular organizations and activities. You might also choose to fund purchases of classroom items and supplies, which many teachers often have to buy with their own money.

Give back in a meaningful way

Think about the experiences you had in high school that were meaningful and impactful for you. You can focus your donations on a specific area as a way of giving back. If you were involved in band, for example, you might give a donation specifically meant for the band program. You might decide to fund a specific scholarship that has meaning to you. Not only will this ensure future students are able to get the same opportunities you had, but it also attaches some extra meaning to the gift that can make it feel even more personal.

Support alumni opportunities

Donating through your alumni association may also help you fund some ongoing opportunities for alumni to stay connected with their schools, creating a stronger relationship between the district and those who have passed through it. These funds could be used for alumni events, newsletters and fundraisers to support certain initiatives at the school.

Sustain everyday operations

There are a lot of day-to-day expenses in schools that do not get a whole lot of public attention, but need to be covered all the same. Given how many schools tend to have very tight operating budgets, any general donations you make could help provide schools with breathing room to keep things running smoothly.

We hope you will consider making a donation this holiday season to support your alma mater and current and future generations of students!