It is a tradition among many families to donate to charitable causes during the winter holidays in recognition of their personal blessings and the bounty of the year.

But charitable giving can be a challenge to small and mid-sized nonprofits, some of which locals might even be unaware of.

For several years, the Loudoun Alternative Gift Fair served as a central repository for those individuals and families seeking to make donations to local causes.

Originally founded at St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church, this instrument for giving later expanded to include more organizations and sponsorships. Since its inception more than $115,000 has been raised to support local nonprofits.

The organization has been re-launched and renamed Loudoun Gifts for Good. It is still offering the opportunity to donate to local nonprofits for holiday shopping donations online at loudoungiftsforgood.org.

This allows locals to educate themselves on these nonprofits and make their holiday donations in one place. They can also be certain that their hard-earned money is being used by a qualified local organization.

Among the Loudoun nonprofits accepting donations through Gifts for Good include: