How to Be a Philanthropic Philanthropist through Philanthropy

Many people in the "western" world are far wealthier than a lot of people throughout the rest of the planet. Consequently, a fair number of persons with disposable and discretionary income choose to help others by becoming philanthropists, and/or by getting involved with volunteer, non-profit, and philanthropic or philanthropy organizations. Even if you just have a few dollars to spare, you can still become a philanthropist by donating even a little to a worthy and reputable cause that you are passionate about. That little bit can mean a whole lot to someone else. You can also become involved in philanthropy work through volunteering.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• A few extra pennies or dollars

1. Think about what you are passionate about and seek out philanthropy and volunteer opportunities related to that idea, cause, or issue. For example, if you are passionate about children and education, you might consider donating to UNICEF (The United Nations Children's Fund), which would be a more global example, or to your local library or school, a more local example. Or if you are passionate about music and the arts, you might consider volunteering or donating to your local symphony or art museum. So the opportunities are quite limitless.

2. Use the internet to research more opportunities for philanthropy and volunteering related to your passions and interests. Some good places to start researching, as well as some worthwhile causes, are listed in the additional resources section below.

3. Make sure you know how much you can give without negatively affecting your own financial or time situation. In terms of monetary giving, a good number to shoot for is about 10% of your overall income. Also remember that money you donate to charity is tax deductible.

4. When donating money to an organization, do your research and make sure that it is in fact a reputable and worthwhile organization and that your money actually goes straight to the people who need it most.

5. Become actively involved with the organizations you decide to donate money or time to. This not only enriches the lives of others, but it enriches your own life as well. By becoming a philanthropist or volunteer, you will quickly begin to notice many positive changes in your life and the lives of others.

Resources

• Charity Navigator
• Network for Good
• Kiva.org - Microlending
• Volunteer.gov
• Volunteer Match
• UNICEF - United Nations Children's Fund
• International Red Cross
• American Red Cross
• The Chronicle of Philanthropy

[LilacGirl]

on 9/12/2008 Your article has some great suggestions for donating. Good resources list too!