What kind of community causes do you donate your time and/or money to and why?
I work for a non-profit agency that works with people of all ages and abilities. We are trying to raise money for a state of the art facility for a preschool, k-12 school, 4 adult day habilitation programs, children’s case management, developmental therapy, physical therapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy, and a greenhouse work program for adults, as well as community gardens, and a handicap accessible playground for the community. To better our community by increasing the abilities of the most disabled people in our community so they contribute to the community (and have an income), and provide a play/picnic area for all families and children of all abilities.
I am wondering what people donate to and why. It seems that there are many programs (grants and private trusts) to assist in things like animal shelters, and parks and things like that that are not such a high priority need for most communities. So why support these programs over programs that assist our community on a larger scale. Everyone knows someone who is an alcoholic/drug abuser, developmentally disabled, physically disabled, abused, raped, or has children in public programming and or activities, so why do chose to donate elsewhere?
First of all, who are you to say that animal shelters & parks are not as worthy/needy of funding as your program?
People donate to non-profits that directly effect their own lives. I donate $$ to my local community radio station. It might not seem like priority to you, but it is to me b/c I listen to that station everyday & my life would be empty without it. I also donate my time to Big Brothers Big Sisters, because it’s an established, well-known organization and I am directly involved in the life of my Little Sister.
Perhaps you need to publicize your organization more. Issue press releases about the work that you’re doing, start a direct mail campaign, have regular events (bake sales, car washes, concerts) to get the word out. The more people know about your charity, the more willing they will be to donate to it.
Remember – there are *tons* of worthy charities out there in need of funding. We can’t give to all of them – it’s just impossible. We do what we can afford, so we choose the ones that matter most to us. Don’t take it so personally that *everyone* isn’t contributing to yours. We have different values.
January 25th, 2010 at 10:21 am
First of all, who are you to say that animal shelters & parks are not as worthy/needy of funding as your program?
People donate to non-profits that directly effect their own lives. I donate $$ to my local community radio station. It might not seem like priority to you, but it is to me b/c I listen to that station everyday & my life would be empty without it. I also donate my time to Big Brothers Big Sisters, because it’s an established, well-known organization and I am directly involved in the life of my Little Sister.
Perhaps you need to publicize your organization more. Issue press releases about the work that you’re doing, start a direct mail campaign, have regular events (bake sales, car washes, concerts) to get the word out. The more people know about your charity, the more willing they will be to donate to it.
Remember – there are *tons* of worthy charities out there in need of funding. We can’t give to all of them – it’s just impossible. We do what we can afford, so we choose the ones that matter most to us. Don’t take it so personally that *everyone* isn’t contributing to yours. We have different values.
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January 25th, 2010 at 10:28 am
I donate to the United Way, Salvation Army, and Purple Heart regularly. I know that these organizations give as much proceeds as they possibly can to people in need. And, I have seen the benefits of these organizations in my community. I do make small donations to other organizations. If there’s a group collecting outside the grocery store, I’ll donate some change.
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January 25th, 2010 at 10:38 am
I’m glad to know that people are out there donating time and money to various causes… even if ones that don’t seem as vital to society mean the world to even one person it is well worth a person’s time and efforts. I don’t have a lot of money to donate but I do volunteer once a week verbally recording textbooks for blind and dyslexic people. I never see or talk to the people that are benefiting from the time spent but it is still very rewarding. Plus I get to learn a lot while I am reading, I wouldn’t trade that time for anything!
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January 25th, 2010 at 11:17 am
I am going to be volunteering with a hospice organization, a Veteran’s Hospital and a skilled nursing facility.
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January 25th, 2010 at 12:07 pm
I volunteer at the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the VA Hospital. I donate money to the humane society, the Sierra Club, and Green Peace, and I adopted a wolf. And I give money to various Indian charities. All of those matter to me a great deal more than the things you mentioned. It’s not right to say that your priorities are more important than my own
I’m a Cherokee Indian, a disabled Vet, a nature lover, and a dog lover. So i give money/time accordingly. The causes I support are no less important than yours. That’s how charity works. Everyone gives (theoretically) to the causes they believe in, and (theoretically) every cause is supported.
Now if only we could convince more people to give to a charity, any charity.
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January 25th, 2010 at 12:46 pm
I have a website based on a range of different subjects like Animal Cruelty, the Homeless, Child Abuse, and Cancer Awareness. On each topic page, I list many specific links that you can visit to see how you can help in certain situations whether it’s volunteering, participating in programs, or even donating. For more information, please visit my website.
http://www4.webng.com/Sapphires/getinvolved.html
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