Jimmy Lustig | Lustig Family Foundation

Jimmy Lustig is an active philanthropist. He and his wife created the Lustig Family Foundation.

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Jimmy Lustig How to Get Employees Excited About Volunteering

How to Get Employees Excited About Volunteering

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On May 24, 2022

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Being a good citizen is the right thing to do, and volunteering can help companies thrive. It can also help organizations develop and grow. Aside from being beneficial to the individuals who participate, community service also benefits the organizations that it supports.

It’s important for team leaders and managers to understand the various benefits of community service. Aside from being beneficial to the individuals who participate, it can also benefit the organizations that it supports. This is why it’s important that they are inspired to give back.

  1. Offer Paid Time for Volunteering

Although it’s not always possible for everyone to volunteer off the clock, volunteering can still be a great way to show your commitment to the community. Having paid time off for volunteering can be a great way to demonstrate your love for the community.

According to a survey conducted by the Society for Human Resources Management, over 20 percent of companies offered paid time off to their employees for volunteering. A total of 82 percent of companies that were included in the 2014 Civic 50 also offered paid time off to their employees.

  1. Share Opportunities

Doing the work for the team members instead of asking them to research volunteer opportunities can help them find ways to give back. You can also create a weekly email digest that provides a list of volunteer opportunities that the team can explore.

List out volunteer opportunities that are focused on different skill sets such as teaching, tutoring, or painting. You can also start a formal partnership with a local organization to help the team members get involved. Before you start a volunteer program, make sure that the details about the organization and the time commitment are included in the list. This will help your employees determine if they are the right fit for their lifestyle.

  1. Create Leadership Opportunities

Being able to take on more responsibility can help employees develop their skills and improve their performance. It can also help them feel valued and supported at work.

Although it’s important to have a volunteer coordinator, it’s also important to identify the individuals who can be given leadership roles. You can also start by developing a list of skills that your team members can use to improve their performance. Consider your team’s skills and interests and how they might be utilized in a volunteer setting.

  1. Encourage Office Leaders to Be Examples

Seeing leaders commit to volunteering can help team members feel more positive about their participation. It can also help them feel supported and valued at work. To make sure that the team members are comfortable with the idea of giving back, encourage team leaders to regularly talk about the company’s social responsibility initiatives.

  1. Reward Volunteers

Make sure that your team members are not only recognized for their hard work but that they’re also encouraged to get involved. Having a reward system can help make volunteering more of a part of the company culture.

One of the most important factors that you can consider when it comes to rewarding team members is their commitment to the community. Doing so can help demonstrate the company’s commitment to social responsibility. In 2014, 50 percent of companies featured in the Civic 50 list of Points of Light included community engagement work in their performance reviews.

 

Jimmy Lustig How to Give Back Without Giving Money

How to Give Back Without Giving Money

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On April 22, 2022

In Blog, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

While it’s important to give back to the community, it doesn’t have to be a big cash donation. There are a variety of ways to support local nonprofits and charities. Doing so can help them reach their goals and provide them with the resources they need.

  1. Donate Blood

You can help save three lives each time you donate blood if you’re healthy and weigh 110 pounds or more. It can be done six times a year. To schedule an appointment, contact your local blood center.

  1. Volunteer Time

Getting involved with a local charity or nonprofit organization can be a great way to support them when you can’t offer up cash. Many of them rely on volunteers to help with various tasks, such as collecting donations and organizing events. To find out more about volunteering, contact the charity you’re interested in supporting.

  1. Save Unneeded Materials

Sometimes, donating used items can help a local charity. For instance, a local thrift store uses donated plastic bags instead of purchasing their own to package merchandise. It asks its supporters to bring in their extra plastic bags when dropping off their donations

  1. Share Your Network

If a charity you follow reaches out to you for help, consider if members of your professional or personal network would be able to assist. For instance, if a building repair project needs help, you might have a friend who lives in a nearby town who can help.

  1. Purchase Goods from Charity Shops

Although it’s not always possible to give back to the community with cash, you can still support local charities by shopping at stores that sell goods and services that support them. For instance, many thrift stores are operated by local organizations such as The Salvation Army. These stores sell used goods and services to raise money for various charitable causes.

  1. Donate Old Items

If you have too many clothes, books, or other items that are no longer useful, consider donating them to a charity or giving them to someone who needs them. Doing so will allow you to claim a charitable donation on your tax return, and the charity can benefit by either reselling them or giving them to people in need.

  1. Raise Money Through Crafts

Making and selling sweet treats or crafts is a simple and effective way to support local charities. You can sell various types of crafts and products, such as pet treats and decorative items, and a portion of the proceeds will go toward supporting the charity. If you’re a skilled knitter, consider donating your creations to a charity that will use them to provide warm clothes and other items to people in need. Likewise, if you’re a skilled cook, consider helping a local soup kitchen by making meals for those in need.

  1. Share Your Skills

You can also help others by volunteering as a board member or mentor for a charity or church. For instance, if you’re a retired business executive, you can help new entrepreneurs by giving advice on how to navigate the marketplace.

 

The Best Charities Supporting Ukraine Relief

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On March 16, 2022

In Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

On February 24, 2022, the Russian Federation launched airstrikes against the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as well as other parts of the country. This sudden escalation has caused millions of Ukrainian citizens to leave their homes and flee their country with no place else to go, not knowing if they’ll ever be able to safely return. The citizens of Ukraine are currently in dire circumstances and support is needed across the board. This is where a multitude of nonprofit organizations have come in, doing everything in their power to help the citizens of Ukraine by providing food, clothing, and safe places to sleep at night. Many nonprofits are accepting donations that are going directly to Ukrainian citizens but sometimes it’s hard to determine which organizations are best. Here are a few of the top nonprofits providing relief to Ukraine.

International Medical Corps

International Medical Corps has been working to provide medical, mental health, and protection services to the people affected by the war in Ukraine. Some of the ways the organization is helping include providing medical supplies such as PPE in order to prevent the spread of COVID-19, as well as offering gender-based violence response services for women, children, and others who tend to face risks during these kinds of conflicts.

World Central Kitchen

World Central Kitchen is currently providing thousands of meals to people who have fled their homes as well as those who have chosen to stay in Ukraine. WCK arrived on the scene within days of the initial invasion and began feeding families who were traveling long distances to flee the country, as well as mobilizing local restaurants in order to feed those still in the country by utilizing railway systems and hospitals, as well as even delivering them directly to people in their homes.

Save The Children

Save the Children provides immediate aid to the families affected by the war, such as food, water, hygiene kits, and cash assistance. They’ve been operating in Ukraine since 2014, doing what they can to make sure children have access to education, psychosocial support, and much more. Their site states that for every $100 donated, they’re able to provide a month’s worth of nutritious food to a family in crisis.

Tips for Starting a Nonprofit

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On February 18, 2022

In Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

If you’re passionate about helping those in need and have the means to do so, starting a nonprofit can be a wonderful endeavor to look into. While starting your own nonprofit is a noble cause, it’s not as easy as you may think. Just like launching a business, nonprofits require extensive planning and logistics in order to get them off the ground and begin making a meaningful impact with them. Read on for a few tips to help you start your own nonprofit organization. 

Research Is Important

No matter how you look at it, your nonprofit is to compete with other organizations for donations and grants. To succeed, you need to fulfill a need that isn’t being met by other organizations. Before you start a new nonprofit, conduct a comprehensive study to find out how many people would benefit from it.

Create A Business Plan

After you’ve thoroughly analyzed and fine-tuned your idea, it’s time to create a nonprofit business plan. This should include the details of the mission and the people who would be involved in running the organization. It should also include the cost of starting and running the nonprofit, as well as the various steps involved in fundraising.

The business plan is very important to starting a nonprofit because it helps you identify areas of weakness in your idea and provides a roadmap for future steps.

Develop The Right Team

While you’ll obviously be involved, you can’t run your nonprofit all by yourself. In order to run a successful nonprofit, you’ll need to recruit an executive director who has the necessary skills and experience to lead the organization. You’ll also need to find people who are like-minded and passionate about what you’re trying to accomplish.

Think About How You’ll Raise Awareness

Getting started with a nonprofit is similar to marketing for a retail business. Having the proper awareness and support early on is very important to ensure that your organization is successful. It can also help build support for your mission and inspire others to do the same.

Having the proper awareness and support early on can also help raise funds for your organization. It can also help you expand your reach and attract more donors. Having a well-rounded and accurate understanding of your organization’s work can also help you meet the requirements of various grants and donations.

Great TED Talks All About Giving

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On January 16, 2022

In Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

While philanthropy and giving are wonderful endeavors, they’re often met with criticism for a multitude of reasons. It’s important that we strive to constantly learn and improve the way we approach philanthropy, and one of the best ways to do that is to listen to the experts. Many philanthropists have given TED Talks over the years, and they can be a great way to learn more about the subject, and how we can improve it in order to make sure marginalized groups and those in need are getting the support they deserve. Here are a few of the best TED Talks about giving.

The Way We Think About Charity Is Dead Wrong – Dan Pallotta

Dan Pallotta believes that innovation and risk-taking are the keys to making philanthropy successful. In his talk, he challenged philanthropists and non-profit leaders to be willing to fail in order to truly succeed.

In his talk, Dan challenged the notion that traditional charity should be run as efficiently as possible. Instead, he argued that investing in the leadership and technology of non-profit organizations could actually create more positive change.

The Why and How of Altruism – Peter Singer

When we see a video of a child who has been seriously injured in a car accident, we usually assume that we would immediately help the child. However, when we see the number of children who die every day due to hunger and disease, we realize that we have a lot of hypocrisy and inaction.

Peter Singer argues that being able to live without want is a natural inclination to be altruistic. However, he suggests that there are ways to balance the practicality of giving with the emotion of doing good.

Why Giving Away Our Wealth Has Been The Most Satisfying Thing We’ve Done – Bill and Melinda Gates

In 1993, after taking a walk on the beach, Bill and Melinda decided that they wanted to give away their wealth to society. In this interview, the couple talks to Chris Anderson about their marriage, their failures, and how they’ve enjoyed giving away most of their wealth, claiming it’s been one of the greatest decisions they’ve ever made.

Want To Help Africa? Do Business Here – Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala

Despite the negative images of Africa, there are also positive stories happening in the continent, according to Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. She believes that there are plenty of business opportunities in the country.

In her talk, Okonjo-Iweala challenged the world to include Africa instead of just giving aid. She argued that by engaging the continent in the global economy, we can create a significant impact in a way that traditional aid can’t.

The Best Podcasts on Philanthropy

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On December 17, 2021

In Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

As a nonprofit, podcasts can be an integral part of your strategy as you work to scale and grow. They can also help you develop new fundraising methods. Unfortunately, there are so many podcasts out there that it can be hard to find what’s worth listening to. In this article, I’ve chosen to highlight some of the best non-profit podcasts worth listening to today.

The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast – Dr. Rob Harter

The Nonprofit Leadership Podcast is hosted by Dr. Rob Harter, and it features discussions about the latest trends and issues affecting the nonprofit sector. The goal of this show is to help individuals and organizations become more effective leaders by discussing strategies and real-world situations about the people and groups making the biggest impacts around the world.

The Stanford Social Innovation Review Podcast – Eric Nee

Stanford Social Innovation Review is a popular publication within the social sector for its strong print articles and digital posts. Its podcasts also contribute to the reputation it has for providing insightful content. Eric Nee, the editor in chief of the publication, hosts the show and aims to inspire and educate its listeners, acting similarly to a TED Talk in many ways.

Nonprofits Are Messy, The Podcast – Joan Garry

Joan and her team wanted to create a podcast that would provide deeper insight into the world of non-profit management, so they decided to create a show called Nonprofits Are Messy. Each episode features a different topic and a different perspective from prominent individuals in the social sector where they discuss difficult topics as well as personal strategies that have helped said individuals and their organizations succeed in their goals.

The Business of Giving – Denver Frederick

Denver Frederick is a seasoned philanthropist who hosts The Business of Giving, a weekly program that explores the various solutions that can be made to today’s social problems. Each week, he interviews prominent individuals and organizations that are working towards making a difference.

The Business of Giving currently has 378 episodes. One of the most recent episodes featured Kris Kepler, the CEO of the LavaMaeX organization, who discussed how his company is helping restore dignity for the homeless.

4 Red Flags Among Charities To Look Out For

4 Red Flags Among Charities to Look Out For

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On August 23, 2021

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

As the wallet empties, the heart is filled. Part of being a person is helping the needy. However, some errant individuals are preying on innocent souls without flinching an eye. They are running charity organizations to solicit aid, only to swindle naïve citizens. Be wary of the following four red flags before giving out to charities.

Extremely Dubious Operations

Any charity organization that is not transparent in its activities is not worth your resources. The majority of fake charities are suspicious of their grant expenditure. They cannot precisely point the finger at what they have done with the relief funds they received.

Consequently, a charity that claims 100% disbursement of its funds to the cause is equally alarming. A charity has expenses and bills to sort out, such as salaries, administrative costs, and rent; hence they may only tunnel about two-thirds of their grants to the noble cause.

The Charity Is Fresh

A young and new charity organization that claims to have an enormous track record is another red flag to look out for. Before generously sharing out your resources, scan through the internet for reviews as well as a portfolio on the subject of charity.

Zero reviews depict the charity is fresh and probably started a few days ago.

Pestering Phone Calls and Emails

Once you’ve committed to giving, the charity is not giving you space to breathe. Unlimited phone calls, text messages, and emails confirming your status are another red mark. A genuine charity should not seem to prey or focus on your giving. The majority of scam charities keep bothering individuals to the extent of imposing deadlines on the aid. In case you start receiving badgering calls, run and don’t look back.

The Charity Is Unregistered

A search of the particular organization in the directory of charities is futile; then, you are likely to be falling for a scam. All non-profit organizations and charities are locally regulated and registered in various authorities. A genuine charity will not dodge registration by any means whatsoever.

Charity sees the call, not the cause. As you benevolently help out the needy, look out for the above four signs of any malicious charity organization.

How To Choose A Charity For Your Business To Support

How to Choose a Charity for Your Business to Support

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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 Jimmy Lustig

Alternatives to Donating Money to Charity

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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 Jimmy Lustig

What to Look For When Choosing a Nonprofit to Support

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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.

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