Tag: philanthropy Page 4 of 9

Great TED Talks All About Giving

On January 16, 2022

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

By Jimmy Lustig

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

By Jimmy Lustig

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

By Jimmy Lustig

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.

The Essennelle Foundation for Sickle Cell Awareness

By Jimmy Lustig

On May 12, 2021

In Philanthropy

Sickle cell illness is a gathering of acquired blood problems that middle on red platelets, which can work unusually, bringing about little blood clumps, ongoing iron deficiency, agonizing occasions, and potential entanglements related to tissue and organ harm. These blood issues incorporate sickle cell weakness, Mediterranean blood illness, sickle beta-thalassemia disorder, and hemoglobinopathies. The sickle cell hemoglobin is related to other unusual hemoglobin inadequate fixation to make the red platelet sickle.

For the African-American people group, sickle cell infection is a significant medical problem. Sickle cell infection can likewise influence Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, and Asian Indian families. There is a developing section in the Latino-American populace, especially those of the Caribbean, Central American, and South American lineage. In the United States, one out of each 400 births has this infection. The most widely recognized kind of sickle cell sickness is sickle cell anemia.

A wide range of sickle cell illnesses is brought about by a hereditary change in the hemoglobin segment of the red platelet. Hemoglobin is the oxygen-conveying protein inside the red platelet. Typical red platelets are oval and adaptable. Red platelets in sickle cell illness tend to reshape themselves into bar-like designs that look like the bent cutting edge of a sickle; in this way, the term sickle cell. Sickle cells have a more limited life expectancy than typical red platelets.

This results in constant paleness and decreased oxygen to the tissues of the body. Sickle cells are not so much adaptable but rather tackier than normal red platelets. This presents an issue since they can get caught in the little veins forestalling the bloodstream to the body’s tissues. This trade-off in conveying oxygen to the tissues brings about torment and possible harm to the related tissues and organs.

It is estimated that one in 12 African-Americans has sickle cell trait. Individuals with this ailment fall into the ‘extremely defenseless’ bunch, so they have been compelled to safeguard for most of the pandemic. An examination recently determined that many have attempted to get sufficient treatment and backing, and some have been left in torment for quite a long time.

This is why Layla Lawson established The Essenelle Foundation (TEF), zeroing in on engaging and building up the sickle cell local area. Layla was motivated to create the charity after her baby girl Suki was diagnosed with sickle cell only days after she was born. Because of her limited knowledge about sickle cell, Lawson dedicated herself to learning about the disease so she could support her daughter as best as she could.

People with chronic, long-term illnesses need access to extra mental health support due to the emotional strain long-term illnesses can put on the human mind. The patient’s caregivers also experience secondhand trauma: family, friends, and loved ones need access to mental health support as well.

Lawson hopes to work with hospitals, schools, and councils to provide patients with therapy, counseling, and emotional well-being courses. She also wants to educate these places further on the mental strain of sickle cell with the hope that these additional resources will become mandatory in the future.

In addition to advocating for additional resources, The Essenelle Foundation runs campaigns and events to educate the public on sickle cell and raise money to help those impacted by the disease. If you would like to support Lawson’s cause, you can donate to TEF through their Go Fund Me page.

The Tax Benefits of Donating to Charity

By Jimmy Lustig

On May 12, 2021

In Philanthropy

Donations can be the best way you can help out charitable organizations. What does it mean for your income, though? Fortunately, you do see some tax benefits from donating.

However, these tax benefits don’t come automatically by just filing your taxes as normal. You’re going to have to put some work in on adjusting your tax forms so that you’re getting the deductions you deserve. Check out these tax benefits you can look forward to once you start donating to charitable organizations.

Basic Deductions

Whenever you donate to a charitable organization, you’ll be eligible to get a percentage of that money deducted from your tax responsibilities. This can depend, though, on what exactly you are donating and who you are donating to. For example, you might be linked to only having 20% of your tax responsibilities taken away by donating to specific organizations like cemetery organizations.

You might also be only eligible to have a percentage of your tax income reimbursed if you’re not donating in cash. On the other hand, some charitable organizations will allow you to get a 100% tax deduction if you are donating with cash. Make sure you fully look up what deductions you can take before donating to a charitable organization.

Volunteering

Believe it or not, but you do get some tax deductions if you’re someone who volunteers for others. This can be work you’ve done for any registered charitable organization. However, you’ll want to make sure that you have all of your expenses recorded with receipts, as you can easily be audited if the IRS hasn’t found legitimate merit for you taking tax deductions for volunteering.

For example, you might end up spending hundreds of miles on the road driving to help a charitable organization with an event. You’re then allowed to take all the gas money you spent and put it towards a 100% tax deduction, given that you keep all of your receipts from the gas station. You can also take any other expenses that you may have had like meals on the road, needed items for events, and much more. Ensure that you fully look into any taxable deductions you can take whenever you’re volunteering for any charitable organization.

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.