Promote - Support - Mentor - Serve - Include - Connect - Heal - Save - House
Feed - Quench - Teach - Hope - Restore - Listen
Feed - Quench - Teach - Hope - Restore - Listen
"Giving is decreasing," my client said nervously. "What are we going to do about fundraising next year?"
The truth is that when we look around the world, our country and even our own city, it is a real "wake-up call" how enormous the disparity between the rich and poor; the fed and hungry*.
*In 2010, 17.2 million households, 14.5 percent of households (approximately one in seven), were food insecure, the highest number ever recorded in the United States (Coleman-Jensen 2011, p. v.)
With unemployment maintaining at a high 9.1%, the crisis in our own country is bringing "need" closer to home every day. It's now your neighbor who has been out of work for a year and has run out of her/his savings. It's your family member - your spouse.
"A recent study from the nonprofit Wider Opportunities for Women finds that 45 percent of all Americans -- men, women and children -- live in households that lack economic security, defined as the ability to pay for basic needs like food, transportation and medical care, while setting aside a modest amount of money for emergency and retirement savings," says the Huffington Post.
So lately it feels like every man/woman is focused on themselves; focusing on saving their jobs, their credit, their reputation. Who has time to help others? Who has the money?
We are in a real dilemma, as our need for community support is increasing, we are still relying on 75% of all individual donations coming from the wealthiest 30%. How can we help move social recovery in the right direction? What is our part in giving to the healing process?
While we may not be able to afford big donations or we may "feel" unable because we are absorbed in our own fight; I would like to make an appeal to you to find a way to contribute. Find a way to give support. Find a way to provide.
The main reason why we should give is simply that we all share the same humanity. We are in this together!
Even though our circumstances are different, we are all created equal. The simple truth is that we are all connected to each and every other person in the world and we have a moral obligation to each other.
So what is the rationale for altruistic acts even when you are struggling? Ultimately we all want to feel good about ourselves and when you do something selfless or even seemingly self-sacrificing it will give you a good feeling.
That’s perfectly rational.
*****
Giving Of Your Time and Resources
Finding ways to give that work for you is easier than ever with many on-line resources. Don't forget that something as simple as helping your neighbor or giving advice on someone's resume can impact their life for the good.
Find ways each day to show Acts of Kindness.
*****
Giving For The Holidays
Double down. Buy products that give a portion of their proceeds to charity.
*****
Giving Money
What type of donor are you? People generally fit into one or more of six main giving segments:
