How to Change Lives By Giving Wisely
Here's how to find charitable organizations worthy of your support
Giving Tuesday is now official in more than 80 countries. Next Tuesday, November 29, is the day, though of course any day is a good day to give! Since so many organizations ask for help, how do you decide which ones to support?
The best place to help you make that choice is Charity Navigator, a website that rates more than 200,000 U.S.-based nonprofits that help people around the world. You can search by an organization’s name, a particular cause you’re passionate about, or the most highly rated charities. For a detailed explanation of how the ratings are determined, go here.
If you’re not able to contribute financially, there are plenty of other ways to give. See this site for some great ideas and inspirational stories.
Whenever, however, and wherever you choose to give, you will almost certainly discover that giving changes your life, too. For a fascinating look at some of the research proving the health benefits of giving to others, read this article.
In my experience, directly helping an individual is often more satisfying than donating to an organization. I enjoy the human connection and opportunity to get to know someone whose life has been very different than mine.
At the same time, I know that organizations can usually feed or provide shelter for more people with the amount of money I spend to help one individual. I also try to balance direct aid with support for organizations working to address the root causes of hunger, poverty, and homelessness.
There are as many different ways to help as there are people, and whatever you decide is right for you will surely benefit someone else. You may never know who you helped, or you may get to know them well. Either way, your gift of time or money will change lives, including yours.
I’d love to hear about the ways you’ve given in the past and how you benefitted from doing so. I’d also love to know if someone helped you in a way that changed your life.
My favorite way to "give" is by volunteering for tree planting. I might not actually see who gets to enjoy the trees, but it's a joy to be in Nature and to contribute positively to the environment. The other day I got an email to donate to a charity for black youth/orphans, and that spoke to my heart so I did give some money, and it did really feel good! I only try to do things that feel good and always try to remember to give to myself first!