As Americans, we often presume to know the needs of struggling communities outside the United States. Nonprofit organizations sometimes “jump the gun” and instinctively draw conclusions about whether they should build homes, provide clothing, or distribute clean water to the community – without asking questions. This is where REI stands out from the crowd. The…
In 2011, Jennifer White started ICT SOS out of a need that she saw in her community of Wichita, Kansas. After watching a local news reports on trafficking, Jennifer was horrified that this was happening in her own backyard and therefore set out to create an organization to support victims/survivors of exploitation with the ultimate…
When Lars Dunberg retired from global ministry in 2012, his entire life was turned upside down. Searching desperately for answers to his new lifestyle, he turned to the bible and couldn’t find the word “retire” anywhere in scripture. Feeling lost and confused, Lars would spend his days staring at the wall, unable to enjoy his…
When Tom Tillapaugh was just 31 years old, he had a vision that would go on to change thousands of lives. At age 63, Tom and the Denver Street School are still going strong. In 1979, Tom noticed a flaw in the education system while he was visiting a addiction recovery home for in…
We know you love your donors, but how well do THEY know that? Although your donors will be thanking YOU for signing up for Donate Your Change, you still want go the extra mile to make them feel appreciated. Switching to round-up donations is a great place to start, but here are some other ways…
Let’s face it, fundraising is not the same as it was 20 years ago. Sending snail mail and hosting trade shows are not going to resonate with your donors anymore. If you’re looking to shake things up and make a difference the RIGHT way, here are some helpful tips for fundraising in 2017: 1. Go…
What if we told you that giving to your favorite charity could be considered selfish? Stick with us here…
Charitable donations have positive effects in every area of the world. From feeding the hungry to saving an animal shelter, there are plenty of ways this kind of generosity has made a difference. But the biggest improvement we have seen is within ourselves.
As Anne Frank once said, “No one has ever become poor by giving.”
Over the years, countless studies have shown that those who give rather than receive experience a much happier and fulfilling life. One of these experiments was conducted by social psychologist Liz Dunn who gave University of British Columbia students envelopes filled with cash. These students could choose whether they spent the money on themselves or on a loved one. Dunn’s results showed that those who gifted the money were considerably happier than the students who kept the money for themselves.
As humans, we were made to be social, nurturing beings. By volunteering and donating to our favorite charities, we are exercising this need to feel loved and appreciated.
Mark Snyder, head of the Center for the Study of the Individual and Society at the University of Minnesota, says that “People who volunteer tend to have higher self-esteem, psychological well-being, and happiness.”
So why don’t people give? Well, one of the problems Americans have with donating is that they don’t understand what’s in it for them.
The Science of Generosity Initiative at Notre Dame has proven that people “happy” people spend an average of 5.8 hours a month volunteering. While Americans that are considered “unhappy” donate only 0.6 hours of their time.
So, whether you’re struggling to make ends meet or you’re the CEO of a major company, we could all benefit from donating our time and money to charity. Not only will we look better in social circles, we’ll feel better knowing that we’re changing lives.
To start donating your spare change today, register your account and choose from dozens of deserving charities across the United States. Every cent counts!