http://philanthropy.com/giveandtake/index.php?id=1402
The idea of giving back to your community is taking on a whole new side. This Canadian family, in the true spirit of philanthropy, pledged to give 10% of their annual income in 2009 to strangers. The decision to willing give away hard-earned money to people this family most likely does not know is so cool. Seriously, in America, it seems that all we care about is paychecks and making money. If you can't make money, you steal it. It's depressing how little emphasis is placed on thinking of others before yourself these days.
This family's simple work to make someone's life a little better is an example to everyone. Who knows how much someone might need twenty bucks and then they find it in an unexpected place.
I do not particularly care for the idea of giving clues as to where the money might be. I think in the spirit of giving, the money should be found unexpectedly, as that can vastly improve someone's outlook on life. Yet, without providing these key details, the family would not be able to offer the option for people to post about finding the hidden money and thank the family. I think that it's great that people would turn around and give this free gift back to a charity, because during the troubling current economic times, charities need more money and receive even less than usual.
The ability to give 10% of your income may not be an option for everyone, but we can all give something, right? Anyone can volunteer or simply drop your change into a donation bucket. The ability to give 10% of your time or energy might be more valuable than you really even know.
So, Kudos to this amazing family in Canada who are teaching the rest of the world what it truly means to "love your neighbor as yourself."
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Thursday, October 22, 2009
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9903
This article described a report released by some of the major philanthropic organizations that included ways to mobilize volunteers. Often, non-profit organizations need more volunteers than they have, but it seems like they focus too much time speaking purely on what the organization does, rather than how volunteers can be involved. As someone who volunteers with a couple of organizations, I know how I was recruited. For Girl Scouts, I am a lifetime member and alumna of the organization so I am strongly motivated to help carry on this organization's legacy. I want to help the next generation of girls to know how awesome working with their sister scouts can be and the pure thrill of knowing that you are a member of an organization created to purely help young women learn and grow, an organization that has been around for almost an entire century.
However, there are plenty of organizations out there that have a huge need for volunteers, but people who are interested in volunteering do not always know how to get involved. I have seen advertisements on television or even on billboards for groups such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters that do not even list a website to visit in order to gain information. If I wanted to get involved, I would have to remember the name of the group, go home, use a search engine and attempt to find some information. However, most volunteer audiences have such a short attention span that they simply will not remember to go searching for information.
I think President Obama's push for more money to be spent helping non-profit organizations sets him apart as a new(er) president. Focus needs to be put on the great organizations that are trying to make the world a little bit better and if the president of the United States is so gung-ho, then what can the world do but follow?
However, this potential for new campaigns to gain volunteers could hurt organizations that do not have a plan in place to handle a large number of new volunteers. This needs to be addressed by someone higher up and funds should be adequately portioned for volunteer orientation, because if you do not have volunteers, how will the work get done? It just won't.
This article described a report released by some of the major philanthropic organizations that included ways to mobilize volunteers. Often, non-profit organizations need more volunteers than they have, but it seems like they focus too much time speaking purely on what the organization does, rather than how volunteers can be involved. As someone who volunteers with a couple of organizations, I know how I was recruited. For Girl Scouts, I am a lifetime member and alumna of the organization so I am strongly motivated to help carry on this organization's legacy. I want to help the next generation of girls to know how awesome working with their sister scouts can be and the pure thrill of knowing that you are a member of an organization created to purely help young women learn and grow, an organization that has been around for almost an entire century.
However, there are plenty of organizations out there that have a huge need for volunteers, but people who are interested in volunteering do not always know how to get involved. I have seen advertisements on television or even on billboards for groups such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters that do not even list a website to visit in order to gain information. If I wanted to get involved, I would have to remember the name of the group, go home, use a search engine and attempt to find some information. However, most volunteer audiences have such a short attention span that they simply will not remember to go searching for information.
I think President Obama's push for more money to be spent helping non-profit organizations sets him apart as a new(er) president. Focus needs to be put on the great organizations that are trying to make the world a little bit better and if the president of the United States is so gung-ho, then what can the world do but follow?
However, this potential for new campaigns to gain volunteers could hurt organizations that do not have a plan in place to handle a large number of new volunteers. This needs to be addressed by someone higher up and funds should be adequately portioned for volunteer orientation, because if you do not have volunteers, how will the work get done? It just won't.
Thursday, October 8, 2009
Nonprofit Work May Not Pay the Best,...
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9632
With unemployment on the rise, non-profit organizations are seeking to help more and more people than ever. The goal of most is to uplift someone, in some way. This mission is not always easy to follow.
President Barack Obama recently supported an act through Congress that would allow for greater benefits for non-profits. In this act, they may receive more government help. With more benefit, especially more monetary benefits, these organizations may be able to hire some of the 9.7% of Americans that are currently without work.
These organizations are especially encouraged to look into recruiting racial and ethnic minorities, as job loss within these segments of society is soaring.
Often, I feel that people would love to work for something they are passionate about. It's why I plan on going into non-profit work. However, most people are so obsessed with a huge paycheck, that they fore go their passions and work for a company they may not have any strong feelings toward, which is fine. This new act will do great things for our country's well-being. As a member of a family that is suffering a job loss for one of my parents, I think it is awesome that President Obama is striving to benefit as many people as possible. Our will needs to remain strong that we make it through this tough economic time.
With unemployment on the rise, non-profit organizations are seeking to help more and more people than ever. The goal of most is to uplift someone, in some way. This mission is not always easy to follow.
President Barack Obama recently supported an act through Congress that would allow for greater benefits for non-profits. In this act, they may receive more government help. With more benefit, especially more monetary benefits, these organizations may be able to hire some of the 9.7% of Americans that are currently without work.
These organizations are especially encouraged to look into recruiting racial and ethnic minorities, as job loss within these segments of society is soaring.
Often, I feel that people would love to work for something they are passionate about. It's why I plan on going into non-profit work. However, most people are so obsessed with a huge paycheck, that they fore go their passions and work for a company they may not have any strong feelings toward, which is fine. This new act will do great things for our country's well-being. As a member of a family that is suffering a job loss for one of my parents, I think it is awesome that President Obama is striving to benefit as many people as possible. Our will needs to remain strong that we make it through this tough economic time.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Home Depot is a large national corporation and probably has different charities it donates to regularly, but their newest fund is going to support Habitat for Humanity and an effort to make greener living possible.
First of all, Habitat for Humanity is a great foundation, since it provides homes for people who simply cannot afford them otherwise. A home is a basic necessity that oftentimes, I take for granted. What would life be like if I had nowhere to identify as my dwelling? It's the basic center of my family and without it, we would be lost. I have been blessed enough to have always had a home, but there are always going to be people who are less fortunate. This program does awesome work and I hope to see it continue to thrive.
The fact that Home Depot is supporting not only Habitat, but also greener living, is just plain cool. Often, big companies do not seem to really care about their environmental impact and social responsibility, but Home Depot is clearly making a stand that it does care. Our environment needs serious repair and even the smallest things, like building greener houses for people who cannot afford a house, are tremendous. The article makes it seem like the effort will be for things to be green friendly, while still making the houses livable, with the use of things like low flow toilets and adjustable thermostats.
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9071
First of all, Habitat for Humanity is a great foundation, since it provides homes for people who simply cannot afford them otherwise. A home is a basic necessity that oftentimes, I take for granted. What would life be like if I had nowhere to identify as my dwelling? It's the basic center of my family and without it, we would be lost. I have been blessed enough to have always had a home, but there are always going to be people who are less fortunate. This program does awesome work and I hope to see it continue to thrive.
The fact that Home Depot is supporting not only Habitat, but also greener living, is just plain cool. Often, big companies do not seem to really care about their environmental impact and social responsibility, but Home Depot is clearly making a stand that it does care. Our environment needs serious repair and even the smallest things, like building greener houses for people who cannot afford a house, are tremendous. The article makes it seem like the effort will be for things to be green friendly, while still making the houses livable, with the use of things like low flow toilets and adjustable thermostats.
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9071
Thursday, September 24, 2009
With a recent downturn in the economy, non-profits can expect an even smaller amount of monetary donations than usual. This must be causing problems within these companies, including layoffs of different employees, and the cause on which non-profits are based will experience more setbacks.
It seems that companies are more concerned with turning a profit than helping those who are less well-off. I understand that America is a capitalistic society and making a living is a key goal, but when others are suffering, people who have the means to help them should do what they can. I am not saying give up all of your possessions, but could your company not sponsor at least one cause or give X amount of profit to a group that is in dire need of funding?
However, only 38% of companies are being forced to give less to non-profits this year. Eighteen percent are giving the same and a surprising 19% have even donated more. If it comes down to it, at least people and companies are giving something. It will be a sad day when those who are blessed stop helping those who are not so blessed.
Organizations and business leaders are stressing the importance of donating money and volunteering, but are placing more emphasis on the latter, since cash flow is becoming more and more restricted. This is good news for non-profit organizations that need volunteers, such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Girl Scouts and many other groups.
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9589
It seems that companies are more concerned with turning a profit than helping those who are less well-off. I understand that America is a capitalistic society and making a living is a key goal, but when others are suffering, people who have the means to help them should do what they can. I am not saying give up all of your possessions, but could your company not sponsor at least one cause or give X amount of profit to a group that is in dire need of funding?
However, only 38% of companies are being forced to give less to non-profits this year. Eighteen percent are giving the same and a surprising 19% have even donated more. If it comes down to it, at least people and companies are giving something. It will be a sad day when those who are blessed stop helping those who are not so blessed.
Organizations and business leaders are stressing the importance of donating money and volunteering, but are placing more emphasis on the latter, since cash flow is becoming more and more restricted. This is good news for non-profit organizations that need volunteers, such as Big Brothers, Big Sisters, Girl Scouts and many other groups.
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9589
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Underdeveloped Health Care
This article dealt with the Doris Duke Fund donating $44 million to support health care systems in different sections of Africa.
Africa desperately needs help in improving its ability to provide for citizens of all its nations. A large majority of the countries on the continent of Africa are deemed to be under-developed and third-world. Therefore, it is unlikely that any kind of substantial health care is available to the general population. Sadly, Africa is one of the continents strongly affected by the AIDS epidemic. 5% of the population of the entire continent has this immune system disease, which translates to roughly 22 million people. In US terms, a little less than the population of Texas would have AIDS.
I especially like the fact that this donation will allow students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help support a rural AIDS/HIV program in Zambia. It is essential that more members of our generation learn to help others out. So often, we think only of ourselves and not of the blessings that have been granted in our lives. Most people have at least one parent or a close family member acting as a parent, while in Africa, 11 million children are orphaned by AIDS.
If we spent a little more time thinking about others, the world could become a much better place.
References:
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9033
http://www.avert.org/subaadults.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004986.html
Africa desperately needs help in improving its ability to provide for citizens of all its nations. A large majority of the countries on the continent of Africa are deemed to be under-developed and third-world. Therefore, it is unlikely that any kind of substantial health care is available to the general population. Sadly, Africa is one of the continents strongly affected by the AIDS epidemic. 5% of the population of the entire continent has this immune system disease, which translates to roughly 22 million people. In US terms, a little less than the population of Texas would have AIDS.
I especially like the fact that this donation will allow students from the University of Alabama at Birmingham to help support a rural AIDS/HIV program in Zambia. It is essential that more members of our generation learn to help others out. So often, we think only of ourselves and not of the blessings that have been granted in our lives. Most people have at least one parent or a close family member acting as a parent, while in Africa, 11 million children are orphaned by AIDS.
If we spent a little more time thinking about others, the world could become a much better place.
References:
http://philanthropy.com/news/updates/index.php?id=9033
http://www.avert.org/subaadults.htm
http://www.factmonster.com/ipka/A0004986.html
Thursday, September 10, 2009
The State of Education
From Chrnicle of Philanthropy: http://philanthropy.com/news/philanthropytoday/9435/gates-kicks-off-education-campaign-with-youth-focused-cable-channels
Our education system is in need of serious reform. This is often said, but so little is being done about it on any level. So few children and young adults are motivated to stay in school and make an actual effort these days. The new federal mandate that no student in lower elementary grades can be failed may contribute to even lower levels of student participation.
Teachers are teaching, but are students actually listening? The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is actually attempting to aim a positive message at kids and teenagers in a way that may actually be heard. By partnering with Viacom, which includes MTV and several other youth-oriented TV stations, the “Get Schooled” message will hopefully be absorbed by students.
I love this concept because so often people make complaints about our educational system in the United States, but it is rare to see something great happening. Kids and teens watch television and a lot of it, so by blasting them with messages about staying in school and learning, they may be more willing to make an effort. I sincerely hope this campaign works some miracles because America’s education system needs one.
Our education system is in need of serious reform. This is often said, but so little is being done about it on any level. So few children and young adults are motivated to stay in school and make an actual effort these days. The new federal mandate that no student in lower elementary grades can be failed may contribute to even lower levels of student participation.
Teachers are teaching, but are students actually listening? The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation is actually attempting to aim a positive message at kids and teenagers in a way that may actually be heard. By partnering with Viacom, which includes MTV and several other youth-oriented TV stations, the “Get Schooled” message will hopefully be absorbed by students.
I love this concept because so often people make complaints about our educational system in the United States, but it is rare to see something great happening. Kids and teens watch television and a lot of it, so by blasting them with messages about staying in school and learning, they may be more willing to make an effort. I sincerely hope this campaign works some miracles because America’s education system needs one.
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