Jimmy Lustig | Lustig Family Foundation

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

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Supporting Organizations That Assist Minority Founders Of Startups

Supporting Organizations That Assist Minority Founders of Startups

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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

How You Can Support Texas Following the Power Crisis

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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

5 Educational Charities to Support

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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

Robert Downey Jr.’s Latest Philanthropic Investment

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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

Five Great Books About Philanthropy in 2020

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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 Jimmy Lustig

How Nonprofits Have Adapted During COVID-19

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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.

Resources For Prospective Volunteers Jimmy Lustig

Resources for Prospective Volunteers

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On December 1, 2020

In Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

Muhammad Ali once said, “Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on Earth.” Service work enriches the human experience. However, for the novice, it can be overwhelming. How do you begin? Where do you go? The United States Government has a website of resources to steer potential volunteers in the right direction.

 

The basic components of this website are as follows:

 

Volunteering in a Tough Economy

 

These are unprecedented times. Volunteering is more important than ever. Explore strategies to make the most of these challenges.

 

Building a Service Strategy in your State or City

 

States, cities, and individual communities bring unique, local perspectives to maximize a strategy’s efficacy. Reach out to these boots on the ground.

 

Developing a More Diverse Volunteer Base

 

Ours is a diverse country that prides itself on such a mosaic. In order to best achieve results, we need to mobilize everywhere, with everyone. Impact volunteering is one such example of how we can best engage in specific demographics with specific needs.

 

Volunteer Self-Organizing

 

Give power to the people, and they will rise to the challenge. Do not fear delegating. Everyone must play their part.

 

Recruitment

 

A strategy exists for every potential volunteer, particularly mobilizing young adults and/or college students. Be mindful of your target audience and how to best approach them. Consider appointing volunteer coordinators.

 

Retention

 

Bringing people to the table means nothing if they won’t sit down to eat. Make your opportunities so enticing they feel compelled to stay, knowing they will make a difference and be fulfilled.

 

Human Capital Strategies

 

While time is money, sometimes actual currency is required. Learn how to secure funding and also explore pro-bono options.

 

Cost-Effective Volunteering

 

There are indeed tax benefits for volunteering and other ways to ensure a minimal startup cost. Various financial incentives support philanthropic endeavors. Networking is key.

 

Voluntourism

Why be a tourist when you could be a voluntourist? Developing a mutually beneficial voluntourism program in your community can broaden horizons while exploring different opportunities in different spaces. This makes an ideal situation for shared communities.

How To Encourage Corporate Philanthropy Jimmy Lustig

How to Encourage Corporate Philanthropy

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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 Jimmy Lustig

What is a Philanthropist?

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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.

The Importance Of Giving Back During A Pandemic

The Importance of Giving Back During a Pandemic

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On September 11, 2020

In Blog, James Lustig, Jimmy Lustig, Philanthropy

The COVID-19 pandemic has changed how we socialize, communicate, work, and live. As humans, we feel more fulfilled when we are caring for those in need. Giving back to society can be beneficial to your health; it helps reduce stress levels and make you feel happier. Helping others, especially during this pandemic, is essential as we try to unify communities to fight against the epidemic together. With everything currently on pause, you may be wondering how to help those in need. Here is a list of how you can give back to the community and make a real difference:

 

Stay in touch with friends and family

Stay connected with people in your inner circle. Find out what they have been up to, how they are doing, and determine if they’re prone to stress and anxiety. Take some time to video call your sister, send your friend a message, and regularly call your parents. Keeping in touch will help everyone reduce stress and feel loved during these uncertain times.

 

Donate money to non-profit organizations

Many non-profit organizations are currently struggling to make ends meet, especially with the current economic instability and fundraising events canceled due to social distancing measures. Many charity organizations are adjusting to the unprecedented demands in the different areas they serve. If you have more than enough, donate some to charity organizations of your choice. Besides financial donations, you can also grant other things such as blood, clothes, and foodstuff. If you were recently infected with the coronavirus and made a recovery, donate blood to research centers to help scientists find a vaccine.

 

Support local business and restaurants

By now, many businesses have closed down due to stay-at-home and lock-down orders. There are so many businesses and restaurants in your area owned by people from your community and are struggling with revenues and sales. Consider buying take-out from your favorite local restaurant at least once per week.

 

Share a message of hope

Take an afternoon off and leave little notes around your neighborhood with messages of inspiration and hope. Write encouraging words on the sidewalk and put up inspirational flyers. You can also use social media to send thank your notes to front-line workers.

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