For today's challenge, let's talk about challenging you to give like a beginner philanthropist this season. You know if you really think about it, most people we give to this time of year have the ability to eat several times every day, live indoors, have clothes that aren't torn rags, and probably already own shoes. So what if we chose to suggest each family member donates a gift, time, or money to a charity this season in place of an unnecessary gift? Maybe you could tell people who will be shopping for you to make your gift, or even just ONE of your gifts, a donation to charity? There are many charities out there, so do your homework first. Make sure what you're donating will actually get to those who need it most - some less reputable ones may take up to 80% of your donation for "office costs" or some other name that won't part with the money to help those they're supposed to be supporting. Here's some great causes:
1. Direct Relief - This charity earns a 100% fundraising efficiency rating from Forbes, and an A rating from CharityWatch.
2. St. Jude's Hospital - Pediatric care for children with catastrophic diseases, regardless if they're parent(s) can pay or not. This comes to the top of most lists when looking for accountability and making a real difference.
3. Local Charities: Choose something important to you - Animals? Donate to a shelter or a no-kill shelter. Police and Fire Departments have fund-raisers. Veteran's need your help. A local food bank could use donations, volunteers, cooks, and servers around the holidays. United Way, Salvation Army, YMCA/YWCA/Boy's Clubs and Girl's clubs of America, Have your family sponsor a little league team, there's so much out there if you bother to look.
4. Find something that's important to you - Alzheimer's, Cancer, Red Cross (plan a family, friends, or coworkers day to donate blood), Compassion International, etc.
5. Come up with something to have your group, family, friends, coworkers, or neighbors donate to together. It could be a person at work who your coworkers know has unexpected medical bills. Maybe an elderly neighbor just lost a spouse and the neighborhood could pitch in with repairs, lawn or shoveling snow, food gift cards, etc. Family could pull together to make a family member's dream come true - maybe to help them go back to school, or pay for a sitter so they can take on a new job, maybe there's someone who wants to start a small business. Again, the needs are great if you just stop to look around.
6. Create a one-time scholarship for a student at either the local college, or in a drama class, or dance lessons, martial arts, a season of sports for one student or one family, be creative. Give back in an area that meant a lot to you growing up.
I challenge you and your circle to find a charity for this holiday season's giving.
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