charities

To give your own blood, tissue, organs, etc. to be used in the treatment of another, either while alive or after your death, is one definition of the word donate. It also means to transfer, as in electrons, but perhaps the most well known definition is to give or present something as a contribution to some type of charitable organization or other good cause. This type of donation may be your time, it may be monetary in nature or it may simply be contributing ideas.

Many people are under the mistaken impression that you need to be a millionaire, or at least well-off, to be able to make a difference in the lives of the needy. However, this is far from the truth. You can clean out your closets and give the clothes to charity or the Salvation Army. Clean out the pantry and donate to your local food bank or shelter and consider donating your time to charity events in your community.

There are so many different charities and foundations that any one of them would be grateful for any type of donation, whether it is your time or your money. Often times, your local community will have postings pertaining to volunteer work so be sure to check those out. You may also want to check with the local children’s hospital and see what you can donate in order to give back to your community. You may be able to sit with a child when the parents need a small break or read stories to them. When you do charity work it makes you feel so much better about yourself and you are helping the less fortunate.

Contributing to a charity is not quite as easy as it sounds. Naturally, the private philanthropy motive is the basis of your decision and whichever cause you choose to support will be money well spent. However, be sure you know what use your monetary donation will be put to. Choose a foundation or non profit organization carefully; try to find one that shares your same goals and ideas.

If you are going to be donating under the corporate philanthropy umbrella, then be sure to keep in mind that you may not want to choose a specific charity based on religion or ethnicity if you are an equal opportunity employer with a multicultural staff. When you donate as a company, you are making a statement about the values of the company, so perhaps try to find a charity that is somewhat in line with your main business. For example, if your company is based on education, then consider setting up grants to help children from poorer households.