Making end-of-year contributions is a given for many American families these days, and their philanthropic spirit is to be commended. Here in Alaska, however, we have the opportunity to give to our state throughout the year through a program unique to Alaska, Pick.Click.Give. This program allows all Permanent Fund Dividend filers an easy way to give to a charitable cause they care about.

The PFD brings with it the opportunity to make enormous impact on the quality of life for everyone in our state.

Since the beginning of the Pick.Click.Give. program, individual Alaskans have pledged nearly $17 million to nonprofits across the state. This generosity is a testament to the overwhelming care that Alaskans have for their communities and those in need.

As individuals who have seen first-hand the impact that every donation, both big and small, can have when joined together, we encourage all Alaskans to Pick.Click.Give. to organizations and causes that are important to them. We are in a time of economic uncertainty in Alaska, and it may seem even harder to give. Yet support to nonprofits is ever more critical this year. The beauty of the Pick.Click.Give. program is that even a donation that may seem small counts with others to make a big difference. Every gift, from $25 to $1,000, adds up to fill needs across the state.

Last year, Alaskans showed incredible generosity in continuing to give in record numbers despite economic hardships. With an astounding $3.1 million dollars pledged in the first quarter of 2016, Alaskans actually increased their average pledge size last year, a testament to their belief and commitment to our state and the livelihood of our residents, neighbors, and friends. Now is the time to harness the generous spirit for which Alaskans are known and make a pledge before the end of the filing season on March 31. With nearly 30% of eligible Alaskans yet to file for their PFD, it is not too late to use Pick.Click.Give. to make real impact on our philanthropic landscape.

As you apply for your Permanent Fund Dividend this year, we encourage you to look through the list of 668 nonprofits that participate in Pick.Click.Give. You’ll find soup kitchens, little leagues, schools, and shelters, among many others. You’ll find organizations that support our great state and the beauty of our cultures and our landscape – those involved in the arts, outdoor recreation, and cultural heritages. But beyond that, you’ll find organizations that work with our most vulnerable populations – children, victims of domestic violence and assault, and those in need of food, shelter, and clothing. These organizations all depend heavily on the generosity of their fellow Alaskans through the Pick.Click.Give. program. Without your support, animal shelters, social services, public radio, schools, and food banks would not have the impact they do across our state.

Together, Alaskans have seen prosperous economic times and weathered ones of uncertainty. As we move through a new year filled with unknowns, our dreams for the future of our state and our values remain clear: even in times of difficulty – perhaps especially in hard times — Alaskans always come together to support each other. We encourage you to #lovalaska with Pick.Click.Give. this year when you apply for your PFD and consider a gift – of any size – to support your favorite causes across the state. Visit pick.click.give.org and click “search organizations” to find the organizations most important to you – there’s a good chance they are participating in Pick.Click.Give. When you apply for your PFD between now and March 31st, please join the thousands of Alaskans who together are committed to making a difference in their communities.

Interested in learning more about how you can make a charitable impact with your PFD when you apply between now and March 31st? Visit www.pickclickgive.org for more information or email info@alaskacf.org.

Abbie and Willy Hensley are supporters of the Alaska Community Foundation.