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How You Can Support Texas Following the Power Crisis

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.

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.

How Nonprofits Have Adapted During COVID-19

By Jimmy Lustig

On December 8, 2020

In Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

In the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, many nonprofits have experienced a sharp decrease in donations. A small number of donors have reported that they don’t feel comfortable donating money when their own financial situation is uncertain. A much larger percentage of donors still want to help but report that they’re not sure how their donation will help people stricken by the pandemic. And since some facilities rely largely on in-person donations, stay-at-home orders have made it even more difficult for them to get the donations they need to stay afloat.

As a result, nonprofits have found several ways to adapt during the pandemic. One way is by getting in touch with their donors through phone calls or physical letters. Many donors report that they still want to help–they’re just unsure how to do so. By contacting their frequent donors directly, non-profits give them an avenue to help out their favorite churches and charities and rest assured that they know exactly where the money is going.

Some non-profits are also making appeals to their communities that are similar to year-end appeals. They stress the importance of giving to charity during these unpredictable times and highlight how their community has been affected by the pandemic. By sharing their stories, they make the pandemic seem more “real” to their donors and encourage them to reach for their wallets.

Nearly 50% of volunteers have reported that they plan to cease their volunteering activities due to health concerns. To keep people engaged in their charity, many non-profits are brainstorming ways that volunteers can continue to help, even while they’re sitting at home. This keeps the community engaged in their non-profit and encourages more donations during the pandemic.

Additionally, the CARES Act of 2020 established a new tax deduction for certain charitable donations up to $300. Some non-profits have been emphasizing this fact to encourage the donations that the charity needs to stay alive.

Finally, one of the biggest ways that non-profits have encouraged donations is simply by being honest. They’ve informed their donors that their non-profit is struggling and they need help. The non-profit benefits the entire community, and by making cash donations, they’re not just helping themselves–they’re helping their friends, neighbors, and all the people around them.

How to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy

By Jimmy Lustig

On October 8, 2020

In Blog, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Corporate philanthropy is a corporation act of promoting community welfare through donations of time or funds. From the latest statistics, corporate philanthropy has declined by 50%. Both critics and investors’ high expectation puts the executives in a difficult situation to justify the charitable benefits and maximize the investors’ short-term profits.

The critics’ expectation of companies to deliver high corporate social responsibility and investors’ needs for short-term profitability has led companies to use strategic philanthropic to balance the two. Philanthropy is used to promote the company’s image and brand through sponsorships, used as advertising and public relations. Although philanthropy represents a small portion of corporate charitable expenditure, the corporate spending on marketing skipped from 125 million dollars in 1990 to 828 million dollars in 2002. In 2001 the Arts sponsorship had and additional growth of 589 million dollars. The campaign’s intentions are meant to increase the company’s visibility in society and improve workers’ morale to create a positive impact.

Organizations need to have a well-thought-out social objective to generate goodwill from customers, employees, and the community. Most corporate philanthropy programs are unfocused and diffused, making it challenging to profit the organization as expected.

Organizations need to understand they cannot function in isolation. To have a competitive advantage over others in the same industry, they need to impact the location they are operating. The social improvement of an area dictates the economic benefits of a corporate. For example, a corporate can focus on educational needs and training to get network administrators. This way, a company will use the labor in the location, capital, and natural resources available to produce high-quality goods and services.

Both community and society benefit from corporate environmental sustainability because pollution reduction improves consumers’ value and use of productive resources. This boosts the economic and social conditions for companies to thrive in their operation. Not every corporate expense brings forth social benefits. Corporate will only prosper where the expenditure produces both economic and social gains when shareholders’ interests and corporate philanthropy meet. Corporates should also understand the importance of collaboration with local supplies for superior productivity. Seamless approval of products and projects and navigation of complex local regulations is also affecting competition to a large extent.

What is a Philanthropist?

By Jimmy Lustig

On October 8, 2020

In Blog, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

The word “philanthropist” is often mentioned when discussing people of considerable wealth. For instance, Oprah Winfrey, Bill Gates, and Warren Buffet are well-known philanthropists. But what if you’re not a millionaire? Can you still become a philanthropist? The answer is yes!

What is a Philanthropist?

A philanthropist is a person who works to create a better world. They do this work in a number of ways. Perhaps they donate money to a charity or a cause, or they might use their talent, time, or skills to help make the world a better place and improve society as a whole.

In short, philanthropists have a desire to help others and solve world problems. It’s more about the person’s character than it is about how much money is in their bank account.

Most people think in order to become a philanthropist, you must have millions of dollars in the bank. But anyone, no matter their net worth, can participate in philanthropic activities.

Ways to Become a Philanthropist

You don’t need a lot of money to become a philanthropist. Having money doesn’t hurt, but it’s not a necessity. Instead of donating money, you can use your talent, time, or skills to impact the world positively.

For instance, you can serve food to the homeless, volunteer at a shelter for battered women and children, or tutor at-risk teens. And there’s also evidence that philanthropy also helps the person doing the giving. For example, it can help you learn to do good things without expecting anything in return. And if you’re an entrepreneur, philanthropy can benefit your business by helping you learn to think more creatively.

And if you do have money to share, several charitable organizations can use your help. Just remember to research first, and make sure you’re donating to a legitimate charity and a worthy cause. But remember, money isn’t a deciding factor in who qualifies as a philanthropist. Mother Teresa was a famous philanthropist who positively affected many lives, but she was far from a millionaire.

Most philanthropists aren’t famous or millionaires. They’re everyday people who just want to make the world a better place for everyone.

Philanthropy Spotlight: Doctors Without Borders

By Jimmy Lustig

On July 23, 2020

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Doctors Without Borders(DWB) is an amazing organization that primarily focuses on providing care to those who need it most. In the late spring of 1968, a group of young doctors traveled to help victims of major diseases and wars. They invented a new brand of humanitarianism that had the potential to reinvent the concept of emergency aid. They became Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), known internationally as Doctors Without Borders.

MSF was officially founded on December 22, 1971. 300 volunteers made up the organization: doctors, nurses, and other staff, including the 13 founding doctors and a plethora of journalists. According to the official Doctors Without Borders Website,

MSF was created on the “belief that all people have the right to medical care regardless of gender, race, religion, creed, or political affiliation and that the needs of these people outweigh respect for national boundaries.”

After the french revolt of ’68 burst onto tv screens, the french pubic soon saw terrifying images that would set a new tone to empathy. They saw thousands of kids all over the world struggling from hunger and disease. In Nigeria, the southern region called Biafra seceded from the country. The Nigerian army surrounded the section, and the Biafran people were soon decimated by hunger. The Red Cross pleaded for assistance and help. The MSF realized that need was bigger than their neighbors or their country.

MSF’s first mission was to the Nicaraguan capital of Managua in 1971, when an earthquake decimated most of the city and killed between an estimated 10,000 and 30,000 people. In these first few missions, the weak points of MSF were soon realized. Members were going over without readily available support, and supply chains were fractured. The telltale signs were there; the movement was beginning to break. Soon it was hard to distinguish the MSF as a group of medical professionals or as a group of guerilla doctors.

From this point, the new realist leadership of MSF would transform MSF into the professional organization it is today. Through various leaders and growing mains, the MSF has become a fantastic organization known as Doctors Without Borders.

Picking The Right Philanthropy For Your Business James Lustig

Picking the Right Philanthropy to Support as a Business

By Jimmy Lustig

On January 21, 2020

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig

Choosing a philanthropy to support as a business is different than choosing one to support as an individual. While there are a few things to consider prior to choosing a philanthropy, similar values are the most important. Especially if the business is asking its customers to be involved, it is important to make sure that the business is giving to a philanthropy that matches the business at some basic levels.

For instance, a business that focuses on the educational needs of children could easily partner with a philanthropy that builds schools in third world countries. This would be a perfect fit because the business customers and employees would already be tied to the educational process. On the other hand, if the business chose a philanthropy that helps addicts recover, it could be a difficult partnership because there are no similarities between the two. Here are three other things to take into account when choosing philanthropy for a business to support.

The Timeline of Impact

True impact in philanthropic terms takes time, but short-term wins are important also. Hosting a service activity for customers and employees at a local non-profit is an example of a short-term win that could turn into a long-term impact. The key is to be in it for the long-term but to celebrate short-term wins along the way.

The Type of Impact

It is important to explore this topic with honesty from a personal and business perspective. If a company wants to explore philanthropic endeavors primarily to help the business and create positive publicity, that is ok and even encouraged. On the other hand, if the business decides to pursue philanthropy for the sake of helping a non-profit, it will be a more difficult and more worthwhile thing.

How a Philanthropic Partner Should Look

It is vital for a business to find the right partner. This goes deeper than the above mentioned “similar values” concept. Businesses that operate on a for-profit basis often have different definitions of success than their nonprofit brethren. A for-profit business is results-oriented and can only succeed if they produce a good product. A nonprofit business, on the other hand, can operate without ever producing a product or reaching a goal as long as it continues to raise funds. It is important for a business to partner with a nonprofit that shares its values or frustration will set in.

Philanthropy Trends to Expect in 2020

By Jimmy Lustig

On December 23, 2019

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig

Philanthropy is a never-ending endeavor that is designed to promote community well-being and solve problems within a society. Many nonprofit organizations and businesses use philanthropy to change lives and to improve social conditions. The process of philanthropy is always evolving. Every year new trends emerge that help to make the act of philanthropy a more practical and effective activity. The following trends for philanthropy in 2020 will be presented here.

Donors Will Have a More Personal Impact with Giving

Forbes stated that donors want to know that their contributions are making a difference. The amount of money that a donor gives to a cause doesn’t make a difference. Large corporations that give millions want their voice to be heard and so does the average person who only gives a few dollars. They want to tell their story or have input into the best way to change a negative social situation. Nonprofits will have to provide their donors with a platform that will allow them to be heard by everyone.

Nonprofits are Going to Team Up with Third Party Organizations to Reach Donors

Another philanthropy trend that will be present in 2020 has to do with third party donations. According to Nonprofit Tech for Good, third party businesses will be utilized for reaching more donors. Third party businesses used for this purpose will include streaming services, video sites, various mobile applications and through various service orientated enterprises.

Nonprofit Platforms for Building Communities and Keeping Donors

Nonprofit organizations are constantly expanding on mobile platforms for building donor communities. Mobile devices, computers and various forms of electronics are being integrated into an interconnected scheme to keep donors aware a cause. Nonprofit platforms will utilize applications, websites, blogs, social media and mobile advertising to provide donors with information, donation opportunities and updates about issues.

Text Donations will Increase

Donors are going to be giving more money through text messages. This is important because text message giving is easy to perform, and people generally pay attention to what is being sent to their phones. This method of giving will increase throughout 2020 and beyond.

Artificial Intelligence

Artificial Intelligence will be used for more philanthropy efforts in 2020. This means that donors will be able to give more giving to their causes with less efforts. They can simply tell their smartphones to give a donation and an AI program will perform this task. Donors will continue to stay more involved with a cause.

Student-Run Philanthropy Spotlight: THON

By Jimmy Lustig

On December 16, 2019

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig

It began as a simple idea way back in 1973. Why not hold a dance contest to raise money for kids battling cancer? Since then, students at the University of Pennsylvania have turned that first dance fest into one of the most successful fundraising movements in American history. THON – short for dance marathon – was the brainchild of then Penn State Interfraternity Council President Bill Lear.

The first THON drew 78 dancers, lasted 30 hours and raised just over $2,000. Since then, THON has raised an amazing $168 million. The money is delivered to the Penn State Children’s Hospital where it is used for the direct care of patients and cancer research.

The annual Penn State THON has spun off numerous “mini-THONs” held at area high schools. These have raised an additional $36 million for Four Diamonds, a foundation associated with Penn State Children’s Hospital.

Today THON events are huge and have become an annual institution for Penn State students. Thousands of participants flocks to the Bryce Jordan Center to either dance or cheer on dancers determined to prevail in the grueling marathon event.

Keeping the events organized and safe requires literally hundreds of highly coordinated volunteers handling an array of specialized tasks. One of the 16 groups, for example, is charged with monitoring the health, hydration and well-being of the “thonners” who may be on their feet dancing for up to 46 hours.

In addition to raising money to treat kids with cancer and pay for medical research, THON events are invaluable for raising public awareness. That’s important because pediatric tumors are so rare, many people don’t know this problem exists. Pediatric cancers are less than 1% of all malignancies and will affect 1 in 200 families. About 16,000 cases are reported annually for people age 20 or younger.

While it’s a good thing that pediatric cancer is rare, it presents problems for medical researchers who are working to treat and cure the problem. Limited awareness makes raising funds extremely difficult. That’s exactly why THON is a blessing for those afflicted and those determined to beat this disease.

THON is the largest student-run charity in the world. It has helped more than 4,000 families and has marshaled the contributions of 16,500 student volunteers.