‘Tis the season for giving, and we are called to give to others less fortunate than us. The world would be a better place if everyone did so! It may not be the same helper’s high than doing actual volunteer work, but charities need money more than volunteer hours. There are many non-profits organized to distribute goods and services, to fund research, to support education and the arts. Not all are worthy though. Some can look good, but reality those running fund their own sizable salaries and perks, giving as little as 2-5% to the cause!!! Determine what is important for you to support and do some due diligence to choose ones that a give a high percentage of your dollar to be used as stated.
What moves your heart? Everything in life happens for a reason. When Tony Robbins was a young boy, he suffered from hunger. When a man came over at Thanksgiving with 2 bags full of groceries, he was so grateful, he decided he would do the same. He worked hard and saved enough to feed 2 families. He is now a self-made multi-millionaire entrepreneur on a quest to provide a billion meals for the hungry, and he has partnered with Feeding America to make that happen. Mother Teresa was heartbroken to see an old man dying alone in a gutter, she scooped him up, bathed him and he died feeling loved, and from that started the Missionaries of Charity. One time a man challenged Mother Teresa about the futility, that there will always be poor. She answered, I just need to take care of who God puts in front of me. Every little bit helps!
Where: You can provide help on a local, national or international level.
Who: You can select a recipient by demographics of age, health, status in life (orphan, single Mom, unemployed Veteran, homeless…), or a cause like youth leadership training (Leadership Institute).
How: It can be a cause that is important to you, like access to clean drinking water, supporting a child or elderly person in poverty (Unbound), supporting an orphan to get an education, providing surgeries for children born with cleft palates (Operation Smile), providing hearing aids and glasses (Orbis), providing microloans to women in impoverished countries (FINCA), shelter to those suffering domestic abuse or newly rescued from sex trafficking (Pure Hope Foundation), or the protection of civil liberties (American Center for Law and Justice). Perhaps something really made a difference in your life and you want to pay it forward, like supporting the newly found non-profit, Come and See formed to support The Chosen, a drama series based on the life of Jesus so it can be distributed to more people (language translations) and be produced at a quicker schedule.
Once you have narrowed the type of charities you would like to support, ask people you respect if they have an organization they recommend. (I listed a few in parenthesis above that I have been impressed with). Check their website for transparency of financials, ratings, reviews, what percentage of donation is used for the actual work of the organization (versus administrative and fund raising costs). You could use GuideStar, Charity Navigator, or BBB Wise Giving Alliance, There are other organizations that do the vetting for you such as: Global Giving, and the Dollar Fund.
When you have found an organization you want to support, consider setting up an automatic monthly donation, they will really appreciate it! Not only can itemized donations help lower your taxes, some donations can also provide state tax credits in Arizona that you can redirect for Qualified Charitable Organizations, Qualifying Foster Care Charitable Organizations, approved private School’s Tuitions and Public School activities or programs.
…the angel said to them, “Do not be afraid. I bring you good news that will cause great joy for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; He is the Messiah, the Lord. Luke 2: 10-11
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