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How to Choose a Charity for Your Business to Support

On August 22, 2021

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Businesses that give back to the community also benefit from their generosity. Donating to local organizations helps to create a happier, healthier, and more prosperous neighborhood. A reputation as community-minded also aids in the overall public opinion of the business. The choice of who to support is a crucial decision because not all charities are equal. A few guidelines can help any business manager to choose wisely.

Choose Ethical Charities

Any charity a business selects to align itself with needs to have a good reputation. Make sure the group is an organized and legal nonprofit with excellent recordkeeping. Transparency is vital in how donations get dispersed and what percentage of funding goes to the cause versus administration. Experts recommend charitable organizations keep their administrative costs at or below 15 percent of their total budget. Some reputable groups may rise above this amount, but the variations should not be much higher.

Ensure Measurable Accomplishments

Select a nonprofit that has a record of achievements. Any established group receiving regular donations should have the ability to detail what they have built or improved in the community. Continue to follow those that promise future benefits without making a financial commitment to see if they meet their goals.

Pick Relatable Organizations

A medical-related company may want to give to health-centered charities. A business that focuses on children should choose a nonprofit that helps with children’s causes. The customers of any business will appreciate a company giving back to things that mean the most to them. The right choice of charity can also help increase the visibility of the company to potential customers.

Keep it Local

National and international charities do impressive things, but everyone wants to see their community thrive. Small businesses usually rely on support from their neighbors. Helping those neighbors is a way to say thanks for the support.

Support of a local cause can help increase public awareness of a business and draw in new customers. Charitable work is a way for business owners to network within the community and create connections they would have missed otherwise. Giving back allows a company to make a difference in its community, and that helps everyone.

Alternatives to Donating Money to Charity

By Jimmy Lustig

On July 29, 2021

In James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

While donating money to a charity is a great way to give back, it’s not the only thing available to those who want to help their communities. In fact, there are plenty of alternatives to monetary donations: you can volunteer your time, donate items you no longer use or need, and so much more. Here are some ways to do so.

Time

If you don’t have the money to spare, you can easily donate your time to help a cause that’s important to you instead. Working for a nonprofit organization, for example, is a great way to lend your time and expertise to something you’re passionate about. Not only that, you could potentially make money or qualify for student loan forgiveness through your volunteering.

If you do decide to donate your time, however, make sure not to exhaust yourself and take some time for yourself. Pick one or two causes to volunteer for in your area after doing thorough research and stick to them.

Outside of nonprofits, you could also join the Peace Corps or Teach for America to make a difference. These year-long commitments can take you around the world and let you offer your teaching, building, or medical skills to those in need. Just be aware of the issues with “voluntourism” before signing up.

Community

You don’t have to join an organization to help others. More often than not, you can actually do more good by helping those in your local community rather than traveling across the world. Help your elderly neighbors with their yard work, volunteer with Habitat for Humanity and build houses, or even volunteer at your local animal shelter to take care of animals and find them a good home.

If there’s a political cause you want to join up with, search for protests happening near you and get involved with it to make your voice heard. If the protest is far away, gather a group of friends or family who want to join you and split the travel costs. Facebook events can connect you to local protests if you’re not up for traveling far.

There are plenty of other ways to give back to your community—all you have to do is some research to figure out how. Connecting with groups on social media can make you aware of events happening around you and get you involved in ways you wouldn’t think possible. Money may be a great donation, but there’s far more that people can offer to make the world a better place.

What to Look For When Choosing a Nonprofit to Support

By Jimmy Lustig

On July 29, 2021

In James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

What should you look for when you want to donate to a nonprofit organization? There are thousands of these organizations in the world, all of them with various causes they’re supporting and in need of monetary donations. How are you supposed to choose the right nonprofit for you? Doing some research on the different organizations will help you determine what organization will work best for you so long as you know what to look for.

The first thing you should ask yourself is what you believe in. What are you looking for in an organization? What mission do you want your money going toward? What you donate to should matter to you, so come up with a list of questions to ask yourself while browsing through potential nonprofits: is this an important cause to you? What sort of issues are you looking to help improve? Do you want your money to be donated locally, nationally, or internationally?

Once you have these questions answered and a few organizations picked out, check the mission statement of each one. Nonprofits may have similar broad goals, but how are they addressing their causes? One organization might focus on finding homes for rescue animals, while another might focus on training dogs to visit hospitals or the elderly in nursing homes. Some organizations may focus on raising awareness for an issue only, while others are more solution-based. Determine which nonprofits align with your goals and values by finding all of this out on the organization’s website.

Also, consider their tactics and the company they keep. Reputable nonprofit organizations never pressure people to buy or use a specific product or service and are always open about their finances and programs. They’ll never ask for your personal information, such as bank statements, so if an organization does, stay away. Additionally, figure out if the nonprofit is actually beneficial to the ones they’re supposed to be helping or if it’s just benefiting its founders. You can figure this out by looking at their sponsor lists—are the sponsors companies you’ve heard of? Are they on the board of the nonprofit? Do they have the same or similar addresses? This could be a sign that something is amiss.

Look for where your money will be going. You work hard for your money, so you should feel confident that the money you donate is going to the cause you want to help. Programs, grants, research, and more should be clearly defined on the nonprofit’s website, as should a list of financial audits, the board of directors, the privacy policy, and documented success. If the nonprofit is larger, check sites like Charity Navigator to see how people rate the organization.

Finally, trust your instinct. If you’re looking at an organization and have a bad feeling about it, find another nonprofit to give your money to. You should be comfortable with your donation, not uncomfortable, and confident that your donation will be used correctly.

How You Can Recycle Your Unused Technology

By Jimmy Lustig

On April 30, 2021

In James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

As your technology gets older, you might think about upgrading it. However, constant upgrades mean that you might have a lot of devices just sitting around and taking up space. Instead of trashing your devices, check out these ways that you can recycle them.

Selling

It can be nice to make some extra money here and there. You should think about selling your old devices through an online site or a local pick-up marketplace. To do this, you’ll want to first find out how much your devices go for.

If you want a good estimate, go on a website like eBay and search up the device you’re looking to sell. You should then be able to select a completed order option that will tell you the last price that the device sold for. By doing this, you’ll be able to make a quick buck instead of letting your devices go to waste.

Giving

Sometimes, you might have someone around who would appreciate the device you’re not using. To find someone, go on your social media accounts and make a post asking if anyone wants that device. This way, you can make sure that one of your friends or family members can enjoy your possessions.

If you don’t know someone personally who would want your device, think about donating it to a charity. Many charities are out there to provide electronics to those that can’t necessarily afford them at the moment. By giving your old electronics to someone you know or a stranger, you’re helping out others instead of letting a device go to waste.

Recycling

Depending on the age of the device, you might have something that is about useless for anyone to have. You might think about sticking that device straight into the trash, but your electronics can be worthwhile for recycling companies. The reason for this is the expensive components electronics tend to have.

Whether it be a phone or a gaming console, all these devices typically use different types of metals for functionality. You can bring these devices to a recycling company that can extract these metals to be used for future devices. If you’re looking to help the environment, you can’t go wrong with recycling your electronics.

Mental Health Charities You Can Support

By Jimmy Lustig

On April 16, 2021

In James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

In our society, mental health issues are experienced in countries and cultures all across the globe. In Africa, 85% of the 100 million people that suffer from depression have no means to access effective treatment. Approximately 25% of United Kingdom residents will experience mental health issues every year. And here in the United States, 43 million Americans struggle with mental health issues.

Charity information services and evaluators such as Giving Compass, GuideStar, and Charity Navigator are instrumental in helping the world recognize World Mental Health Day, celebrated worldwide on October 10.

A few reputable, accountable, and effective organizations across the globe that face mental health issues head-on include:

The Jed Foundation

As the theme of this year’s World Mental Health Day is suicide prevention (every four seconds, someone dies from suicide), this non-profit organization really stands out. Founded by Donna and Phil Satow in 2000, the Jed Foundation works to prevent suicides for American teens and young adults. The Jed Foundation earned the highest rating (4-stars) by Charity Navigator for its transparency, accountability, and financial health.

Brain & Behavior Research Foundation

In looking to find cures ranging from addiction to schizophrenia in mental illnesses, this American foundation funds scientific research in these interests.

As two other family foundations cover their operating expenses, the Brain & Behavior Research Foundation commits every dollar donated to the Foundation for research through research grants. As a result of their total commitment to transparency, the organization was awarded GuideStar’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.

StrongMinds

StrongMinds, founded by former diplomat Sean Mayberry in 2013, focuses on the treatment of depression in African women, with a special emphasis on those patients in Zambia and Uganda. Their scalable methodology, based on low-cost and unique intervention, incorporates Interpersonal Psychotherapy. It is reported that 75% of the 55,000 African women thus far treated for depression were found to be depression-free six months after their treatment.

NAMI (National Alliance on Mental Illness)

The National Alliance on Mental Illness, or NAMI, has grown to become a network exceeding 500 affiliates in all 50 states through grass work organization by families of individuals affected and diagnosed with mental illness. Advancing public policy for people with mental health issues, NAMI has garnered the GuideStar Seal of Transparency as well as a 4-star rating by Charity Navigator.

Supporting Organizations That Assist Minority Founders of Startups

By Jimmy Lustig

On March 26, 2021

In James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Several organizations that are among the leaders in building businesses are assisting American minority entrepreneurs. In their efforts to encourage these minority entrepreneurs to be successful, they assist startup companies and obtain the necessary funding. Among the most prominent of these organizations are the following:

Techstars Foundation

Working toward increasing the numbers of minority founders in the tech community, Techstars, an American seed accelerator, has launched a nonprofit division named Techstars Foundation that works to improve the representation of tech founders who are minorities by affording this group grants, scholarships, and sponsorships. Today, Techstars’ vast network of startup companies that number 762 with a collective funding of more than $2 billion can make sizable contributions to diversity in the world of technology.

CODE 2040

A nonprofit organization that robustly pursues its goal of representing Blacks and Latinos in the areas of technology, investments, and entrepreneurship, CODE 2040 places college-level minority computer science students in top tech companies’ internship programs. This organization has also initiated a one-year Residency Program that provides minority entrepreneurs financial help and support from experienced entrepreneurs and investors in building companies in their communities.

500 Startups

Since its beginnings, 500 Startups has invested in startups led by minorities and women such as AllDay Media, Mayvenn, and Walker & Co. To date, 15 classes have graduated from 500 Startups. In May of 2020, 500 Startups launched its Diversity & Entrepreneurship Summit, part of a conference series connecting minority entrepreneurs with founders and leaders of the tech startup community and venture partners. Additionally, the organization launched a $25 million micro fund for investing in startups that were beginning and led by minority founders.

Black Founders

As a national network of African-American founders, Black Founders works to increase black entrepreneurs’ numbers in technology. To do so, this organization generates networking events, educational programs, and a conference series throughout the year. One program begun by Black Founders is HBCUHacks, a series of weekend hackathons that provides students attending historically black universities and colleges opportunities to develop computer science skills so they can invent software and apps. One-fifth of those participating students who graduate with a degree in engineering have benefited from this successful program.

How You Can Support Texas Following the Power Crisis

By Jimmy Lustig

On March 12, 2021

In James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

The brutal winter storms in Texas are causing blackouts, and many residents have been left without power and water. These need to help residents cope with life in the crisis amid the pandemic. Below are several ways to support the state no matter where one is location-wise. Although there are organizations and relief funds to work with, use the choices below before finding them.

Donate to Mutual Aid Fund

Some of the mutual aid funds helping people in Texas during the blackout crisis include Austin Mutual Aid, Feeding the People Dallas, and Mutual Aid Houston. People are burning their furniture and clothes for warmth and boiling snow for water. The mutual aid funds are mobilizing venerable residents giving them food, clothes, and shelter. Local volunteers in Austin relocated the homeless population in hotel rooms.

Support Food Banks

Texans are running out of food since the weather crisis is disrupting the supply chain. The grocery stores and food pantries are empty. The stockpiled in houses is spoiling since there is no power to operate the refrigerators. Supporting food banks such as Feeding Texas will provide food to families in need.

Give Grants to National Organizations

National organizations one can support include Salvation Army, American Red Cross in North, South, and Central Texas. Monetary donations contributed to these organizations serve the most vulnerable people in this community during the natural disaster.

Support the First Responders

First responders and medical practitioners work day and night to support the communities. The Austin EMS Association is receiving monetary donations to feed its personnel. Many medics are working more than 24 hours without going home as call volume has doubled. It has become difficult for medics to search for food. First respondents also need food. They have to make sure roads are passable before going home.

Support the Fund Emergency Supplies

Find emergency supplies such as the Austin Area Urban League are receiving donations to provide emergency food, clothing, shelter, and other supplies to Texas residents. Austin Pets Alive is also accepting monetary donations to keep animals warm and safe during the storm.

Thousands of Texans are still in need of relief. Showing support through any of the highlighted ways will alleviate the States suffering to some extent.

5 Educational Charities to Support

By Jimmy Lustig

On February 17, 2021

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy, Uncategorized

Children are the future. They will grow up to be the innovators of society. It is important we properly invest in their education to become members of an informed population.

We’ve compiled a list of 5 educational charities that commit themselves to help better children worldwide.

Pebbles Project

The Pebbles Project assists disadvantaged children in the West Cape of South Africa. Their website boasts that their primary focus is education, health, nutrition, community, and protection.
Support for this charity helps pregnant mothers and goes well into taking care of the children until they enter the workforce, prepping them for success.

Lightyear Foundation

This charity places heavy emphasis on teaching and educating children on STEM wonders in the United Kingdom. STEM stands for science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.
The Lightyear Foundation emphasizes children with disabilities. Many of their programs and activities cater to the disabled. The Lightyear Foundation encourages them to consider STEM as a career path.

Mobile Education Partnerships

Mobile Education Partnerships, or MEP, is a charity based out of Myanmar. Many of the displaced communities in South East Asia rely on their support. MEP produces textbooks, trains teachers, and runs many projects to bring education to children in refugee camps and other war-torn areas.

The Turing Trust

Focused in Africa, the Turing Trust is a charity that teaches information technology to students in the countries of Ghana and Malawi. Their educational efforts have successfully reached over 55,000 students. They have also provided over 5,700 computers across many African classrooms.
Their efforts also target teachers to enable them to incorporate technology in their lessons as a teaching aid.
Recently, this charity has also extended its efforts into the United Kingdom to support students living through the pandemic with laptops.

Life Skills Educational Charity

The Life Skills Educational Charity is out of the United Kingdom. Their objective is to help children become socially conscious and aware of knife crimes, drugs, and the practice of cyberbullying.
Studies conducted by Nottingham University show that children who go through the program are more likely to seek help. They also yielded greater results in communication and listening compared to other control groups.

Conclusion

Children are a wonderful investment, and these fantastic organizations are working hard to enrichen young lives across the globe.

Robert Downey Jr.’s Latest Philanthropic Investment

By Jimmy Lustig

On February 17, 2021

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy, Uncategorized

Iron Man star Robert Downey Jr. has been covertly making headways into the world of environmental research the last few years. In 2019, Downey Jr. founded the Footprint Coalition, an organization geared toward supporting scientific research and sustainability technologies. Earlier this week, Downey Jr. revealed a new arm of the Footprint Coalition at the Davos Agenda of the World Economic Forum: Footprint Coalition Ventures. Downey Jr. explains that Footprint Coalition Ventures will be the investment branch of the organization and that its mission will be seeking out and supporting companies that research sustainability.

Downey Jr. went into further detail on the goals of Footprint Coalition Ventures in an interview with reporters from Fast Company. Downey Jr. explains that creating Footprint Coalition Ventures will put the Footprint Coalition in a better position to help answer vital sustainability questions. Continuing, Downey Jr. says that Footprint Coalition Ventures have two types of funds, one for preliminary investments and the other for subsequent investment opportunities. Furthermore, the company follows a rolling fund investment schedule. In this manner, investors will be able transfer funds to companies on a quarterly basis, making Footprint Coalition Ventures more accessible to different kinds of investors. Downey Jr. adds that such a schedule opens the company to as wide a pool of investors as possible.

Footprint Coalition Ventures focuses on funding companies that research in six areas, including food and agriculture, energy, education, and advanced environmental solutions. Thus far, five companies, including Arcadia Earth and Cloud Paper, have received funds from Footprint Coalition Ventures.

Looking to the future, Downey Jr. says that he plans on using his status as a celebrity to raise awareness on the Footprint Coalition and sustainability ventures in general. While many other celebrities who are involved in similar organizations tend to keep a low public profile, Downey Jr. feels that it is his responsibility to use his platform to influence others. Jonathan Schulhof, who runs the day-to-day business of Footprint Coalition Ventures, points out that the company has used a YouTube video of Downey Jr. detailing the differences between plastic and polyhydroxyalkanoate, a new type of sustainable polymer invented by RWDC Industries, to help woo investors. Schulhof continues that such content can inspire audiences by making something extraordinary seem commonplace.

Five Great Books About Philanthropy in 2020

By Jimmy Lustig

On December 15, 2020

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy, Uncategorized

With so many options out there, how – and why – should people consider giving? The five books below provide many answers to these and other questions, making for fascinating reading, both inspirational and impactful.

One of the best guides to the giving process is the traditional Inspired Philanthropy: Your Step-by-Step Guide to Creating a Giving Plan and Leaving a Legacy, by Tracy Gary. Efficient covers everything from the basics of plan making, working with advisors, the right questions to ask non-profits, and much more. The inclusion of worksheets, resource lists, and descriptions of planning tools is beneficial.

The Promise of a Pencil, by Adam Braun, tells the story of how one man’s actions impacted thousands of lives globally. After encountering a begging child and starting with only $25, Braun built an organization that has helped build over 250 schools worldwide. Inspirational and uplifting, if ever there was an argument for the power of giving, this is it.

In The Soul of Money: Reclaiming the Wealth of Our Inner Resources, Lynne Twist offers positive proof that changing our attitudes towards earning and spending money can make our lives more meaningful and fulfilling. Challenging everyday assumptions about society’s views of money, the author illustrates her journey from conspicuous consumer to non-profit activist in an honest, no-punches-pulled way.

Sharna Goldseker and Michael Moody bring a fresh perspective in Generation Impact: How Next Gen Donors Are Revolutionizing Giving. Moving between first-hand accounts and analysis of a new class of doner’s work, the book shows the impact of young rising stars of philanthropy in disrupting traditional giving models and creating entirely fresh approaches to the field.

Another disruptive approach to giving is Impact Investing: Transforming How We Make Money While Making a Difference by Antony Bugg-Levine and Jed Emerson. The new field of impact investing is thoroughly explained, showing how it’s possible to “blend” investment success with positive change.

This year, perhaps more than in most, it’s essential to consider how a charitable contribution can positively impact peoples’ lives. The wisdom and practical advice that abound in the five volumes discussed will hopefully inspire and energize in equal measure.