Charity and Service
"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the waters to create many ripples” – Mother Theresa
Why Give?
“When we feel love and kindness toward others, it not only makes others feel loved and cared for, but it helps us also to develop inner happiness and peace.” ― Dalai Lama XIV
The moment you acknowledge the struggles and concerns of others through charity and service, the smaller and less significant your problems become
When you find yourself unfulfilled with life and feeling a victim of your own circumstance, you will often find healthy charity and service missing
The money and items of value donated are often tax deductible, which allows your money to go further when helping others
Who Should I Give To?
Know your Charity
- At least 60% of your donation should go to the cause with 40% or less going to administration and fund-raising overhead. Highly efficient organizations have 75% or more of the funds going directly to the cause.
- Our three favorite sites for charity specific details, including programs, goals, plans, financials, ratings and more are:
Tax Exempt is Not Always Tax Deductible
- If tax deductions are an important aspect of your donation, it's important to know that Lobbying and Political Work can eliminate the donor's tax deductions.
- Visit the following site to check if charities are able to accept tax deductible donations:
- IRS Charities & Non-Profits
- Scroll down and click on Exempt Organizations Select Check Tool
- Use the EIN to locate the organization. EIN can be found easily at GuideStar
How Can I Serve?
Financial Contribution
- Even if we are not wealthy, most have something that can help a cause for someone less fortunate. Every little bit helps. Small amounts from someone that has less is a much greater sacrifice than larger amounts from others more well-to-do.
- Not having financial resource is not a barrier to giving, in fact, most often the gift the donor receives for charity is much greater when he or she is active in the cause.
Make Service A Daily Routine
- Be present and aware of what's going on around you and the opportunities will be abundant. Simple gestures can make a HUGE difference. Examples include:
- a kind word
- giving up a seat for someone who needs it more
- mentoring a child without the support at home that's needed
- The list is infinate. Look outside yourself. Put yourself in someone else's shoes, and you will see opportunity every day. This focus will change your life for the positive.