For Our Labors of Love

Dealing With The Wrong Type Of Charity? How To Find Out?

June 7, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 10: People leave Elijah's ...

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What should you do if you have second thoughts about the suitability of the charitable organization after you have made a contribution? Ideally speaking, one should assess the seriousness and commitment of the charitable organization before contributing money or time. However, this does not mean you should simply let things go.

You may be requested to contribute money or your time at a later date. Or, you may be asked to provide references who may be interested in giving money. In such a scenario, not having answers to all your doubts and queries may prove to be a big mistake.

For starters, have a word with the charitable organization and explain your doubts in the nicest manner possible. Something may have given you an impression that the organization is not serious. Having a word with the management is the best way of getting the official position. If your core doubts and queries are not answered, you can then resort to other ways and means to find more information.

You can log on to the internet and check out whether the charitable organization has a website. You can find out whether other individuals have contributed to this site in the past. If you find that other individuals too have the same doubts as you have, it is a clear indication that something is not right with the organization.

Once confirmed, insist on satisfactory answer to queries before any further contributions. A firm and clearheaded approach is more than enough to get to the truth of the matter. This will help you ensure that your contributions are made to the right organization at a later date.

Filed Under: General, Society Tagged With: Charitable organization, Internal Revenue Service, Non-profit organization

Not Volunteering Due To Lack Of Time? Here Is How To Stop Making Excuses

June 3, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

CHICAGO - SEPTEMBER 10: Seventy-three-year-ol...

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Would you love to volunteer for a charitable cause? Nine out of ten persons would answer in affirmative but will come up with excuses or reasons why they cannot commit time immediately. Well, you will never have time to volunteer for a noble cause. Let us face it, we all like to live life to the fullest and rarely, if ever, have free time in our hands. If you are going to wait until you have free time in your hands to charity, you will have to wait forever.

People counter this by pointing out that it is not fair for those who are needy for an individual to commit time but not to fulfill the commitment at a later date. Definitely. To promise something and to back out at the last moment is not the hallmark of a decent individual.

When the promise has been made to help certain needy persons, it becomes even more important to fulfill the same properly. However, what is the point of hiding from commitment simply because you feel you may not be in a position to fulfill it?

After all, how difficult can it be to take one hour to take out of your busy schedule in a week? Many persons point out that they may be in a position to take out an hour immediately but may not be in a position to do so next week.

Why always think of the future when it comes to committing to a charitable cause? The fact that you can give one hour of your precious time today is what matters. Who knows whether tomorrow may exist or not?

Filed Under: General, Seasonal Volunteering Tagged With: Charitable organization, Leisure, volunteer

The Harsh Truth – Those Who Do Not Volunteer Are Not Keen On Charity

June 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image by miamism via Flickr

Many persons like the idea of doing charity but are not keen on getting their hands dirty. In the long run, you would be in a position to do good for maximum number of individuals only if you are prepared to contribute much more than money. However, this does not mean that you should stop at money alone. There are many ways to volunteer for charity without actually dealing with the poor and needy people who make you so guilty.

Why don’t you offer to design the website of a charitable organization? You can work from your home and can put in your best skills and efforts to set up their website. The website will help the charitable organization establish its online presence. It may even succeed in receiving donations through the internet.

Do not bill them for your work done and let that be your charitable contribution. Setting up a website is like doing labor to set up a shelter home for the poor and needy people. It will be an asset that will help them for a very long time. As long as the charitable organizations can pay for the hosting charges, it will have an online presence and will be accessible to web surfers from all over the world.

Once you start thinking on these lines, you will realize that your hesitation in volunteering is because you do not want to do charity. Many persons don’t like to think themselves as uncharitable. However, the truth is that the most of us are very selfish and greedy. How else would we explain the condition of poor people all over the world today?

Filed Under: General, Uncategorized, Volunteering Tagged With: Charitable organization, Poverty, Volunteering, Website

Donating to Habitat for Humanity to Make A Difference in Communities

May 18, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Most people know Habitat for Humanity as a charitable organization that builds homes for people in need. More than providing a “free home,” Habitat uses volunteer labor and donated supplies to improve communities by sharing resources, teaching skills and making home ownership affordable.

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To support their goals, local chapters of Habitat for Humanity accept donations of building materials, supplies and tools that will be used to produce or refurbish new homes for the people they serve. Because of the quantities needed and the logistics of getting materials to the work sites, Habitat accepts tools and materials from corporations who can donate and deliver large quantities at once. In addition to construction materials, items like hand and power tools, paint, work gloves and eye protection are always appreciated.

Leftover or unneeded items from small home remodeling projects can still be donated to support the cause. Habitat for Humanity operates many resale stores that sell donated items and reinvest the proceeds into their mission. This is a way to donate single items to a good cause. Wrong-sized windows, extra rolls of wallpaper and leftover drywall can usually be used by someone, and donating them keeps them out of landfills.

Habitat for Humanity projects typically involve lots of volunteers, so restaurants often provide lunches and other refreshments to the job site. This is a great way to become involved in community projects, and also to generate publicity for a local restaurant. It’s also a fantastic way to show support for the project, even if the donor is not in the home-building business.

Filed Under: Habitat for Humanity, Natural Disaster Relief Tagged With: Charitable organization, Donation, Habitat for Humanity International

Little-Known Benefits of Working for a Charity

May 12, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Starting a career working for a charity or not-for-profit organization is not always a new job seeker’s first choice. However, there can be many benefits to working in the non-profit sector that can pay off in the later stages of a career.

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With a charity, job seekers can often have the opportunity to transfer from a volunteer position to a paid position. Unlike internships in the corporate world, volunteer positions are not as competitive or difficult to obtain. Volunteering can put you in the right place at the right time, and you can have the advantage of a foot in the door that outsiders don’t have. It also allows you to develop professional contacts and networking opportunities for paid positions.

With some larger or national charities, there is the opportunity to start at a local branch, even as a volunteer, and obtain a paid position at a regional or national office. If your career goals include working at a large corporation or Fortune 500 company, experience at a national headquarters, even of a charitable agency, can be very impressive.

The experience you gain from working at a not-for-profit agency can result in transferable skills which can help you in the business world. Because local charities tend to be small, it’s an ideal way to gain experience in many facets of operation, including database management, marketing, supervision and project administration. Experience with a charity can also get you invitations to join Boards of Directors or provide consultation to charitable start-ups. In some cases, student loan repayment programs are available to those who commit to working for certain non-profit agencies for a fixed number of years.

Filed Under: General, Habitat for Humanity Tagged With: Charitable organization, Non-profit organization, Volunteering

Ways to Help Your Local Soup Kitchen

May 9, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

The soup kitchen and other organizations that provide food to people in need have been around since the Great Depression of the 1930s. Sadly, the need for these types of agencies has continued to grow even though the country has emerged from that economic catastrophe. In many areas of the country, people still rely on soup kitchens and food pantries in order to eat.

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Because of the demand for the service they provide, soup kitchens, food pantries and other agencies that provide food to the disadvantaged are faced with a constant struggle. These facilities are generally operated by not-for-profit agencies such as churches, homeless shelters or other charitable organizations. As a result, they usually have shoestring budgets and rely on donations from corporations and the general public. Soup kitchens and food pantries always need donations of food, particularly institutional-sized cans of vegetables. Canned goods don’t require refrigeration, and are easy to prepare. Canned fruits, applesauce, vegetables and high-protein foods such as peanut butter are the most asked-for items.

Because soup kitchens can serve hundreds of people per day, large cans or cases of food products are the easiest and most convenient way for them to plan menus. In addition to food, these facilities also need cleaning supplies and food preparation items. Donors often overlook the items that are necessary for running a large-scale food preparation operation such as dishwashing detergent, paper towels, plastic wrap, latex gloves, hairnets and take-out containers.

Remember that soup kitchens rarely have a paid, full-time staff. Sometimes the best way to help is to become a volunteer and help the hungry by donating your time, service and compassion.

Filed Under: Habitat for Humanity, Natural Disaster Relief Tagged With: Donation, Food bank, Soup kitchen

4 Ways to Promote a Charity Event

May 5, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Charity events take place year round. So, it is important to make sure that your event is set apart from the rest. Distinguishing your event will ensure you draw a significant crowd and raise more money.

Here are four of the best marketing strategies for this type of event:

Partnering with local businesses for promotional and financial support

Using the Internet and social media platforms to spread the word
Requesting free space in newspapers
Engaging in a bulk mail campaign that targets people who live in the community where the event will take place

Don’t Overlook Mail!

Mailing out postcards can be a great way to notify the public about the charity and the event for that charity. A postcard can provide details about the purpose of the event, the cost to attend, as well as the time, date, and place. By sending out information through the mail, you will reach more people in a wider area, making it possible to have a successful fundraiser. The best part is that sending a postcard is more cost effective than sending a longer letter; you can communicate the same information for less money. Remember that bulk mailing usually comes with a discount. You can also use the postcard to tell your attendees that charitable contributions are tax deductible, a fact that can help motivate the public to attend your event.

Some of the types of charities and non-profit organizations that can benefit from these four strategies include churches, homeless shelters, and animal rescue operations.

Filed Under: Society, Volunteering Tagged With: Charitable organization, Non-profit organization, Postcard

Suggestions for Donations: Clothing Guidelines

May 1, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

It’s an assumption of simplicity: offering your once loved styles to charity seems to be a quick process, demanding nothing beyond a smile. Reality requires precision instead, however. There are rules to adhere (and good sense to follow):

Conditions and Care

The desire to donate is a worthy one. That worthiness shatters, however, when you offer pieces that are burdened by stains, rips and gaping button holes. All items — from Coogi clothing to those kitten heels you used to favor in the office — must be wearable. They should be cleaned thoroughly and mended of any tears. This is not a law of charity but it is one of decency.

Trekking With Totes

It’s an all too easy impulse: stuffing clothes into garbage bags, shoving them into the already hastily filled confines of your car. There can be no harm in this, you’re certain. Wrinkles are no great sin. They are, however, a great frustration. Donations should be brought to centers with care. All pieces should be folded neatly into baskets or boxes (consider offering these as well, if they serve no purpose within your home). They should also be labeled, allowing employees to sort them quickly.

Drop-off Demands

The span of a clothing bin seems endless, tempts you to toss all of your items inside — including ones that aren’t made of fabric. When dropping donations at a charity site you must be certain to obey the rules. Garments aren’t to mingle with glass; accessories aren’t to be flung in with furnishings. Keep all items divided instead.

Remember these guidelines before making any donation. They will save all charities time, effort and aggravation.

Filed Under: General, Natural Disaster Relief Tagged With: Charitable organization, Clothing, Coogi, Donation

Careers in the Non-Profit Sector

April 27, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Non-profit organizations are extremely respected and reputable. People can pursue these jobs as potential careers. When people think of non-profit organizations, they tend to assume that all workers within the organization are volunteers, providing their time to assist humanity. However, while many volunteers make up the employee base of non-profit organizations, there are many paid employees that are necessities. These employees are paid by the various facets through which the organization raises funds, as well as by investors and donations.

In the pursuit of a career in the non-profit sector, individuals should first consider obtaining an educational background that can assist in the growth of the particular organization in which they seek employment. As with most careers, a relevant degree is a big plus to your chances of getting hired. Resources for learning how to earn a degree online are the most convenient and viable options in obtaining a degree for your potential non-profit career.

When the time comes to begin seeking employment in the non-profit sector, there are many options to choose from that are both rewarding and long lasting. Among some of the most widely known types of organizations that are commonly associated with the non-profit category include food banks, charities, hospitals, and many more programs and facilities that cater to specific needs. Non-profit jobs tend to provide employees with a sense of well-being and motivation that is not always found in many other career choices. Due to this fact, this highly-sought-after field is a viable choice for anyone looking for fulfillment in their career.

Filed Under: Community, Volunteering Tagged With: Employment, Non-profit organization, Organization

Getting Involved in Your Church

April 4, 2011 By admin Leave a Comment

Image via Wikipedia

Whether you’re new to a church or have been a member for some time, it is important to get involved. Most churches advocate a giving spirit, one that looks to help others, and it is a great idea to support the community and areas of ministry in your church. Here are some tips to get involved with your church.

You will often find information on church ministries in the bulletin. This is commonly found in the hand out when you attend church services, or it is likely posted somewhere. Alternatively, if your church has a website, you can look there for information on ministries that interest you.

A great way to get involved is to speak directly to church leadership. This can establish your interest in church ministries and express areas of interest. If you find that a common ministry is missing, you could speak to him or her about starting a church ministry.

Don’t be afraid to get involved in more than one ministry, as well. This will mostly likely be encourage, in order for you to spread your abilities to other areas of the church. Perhaps, for instance, you might enjoy an age/sex-based ministry, but also want to be in outreach or with children.

Getting involved in your church is very easy. It’s a great way to meet people in your church and connect spiritually. You can also play a large role in improving the lives of others, both inside and outside of the church. Don’t hesitate to consider getting involved in your church.

Filed Under: Community, Society Tagged With: Christian ministry, Church service, Religion & Spirituality

For Our Labors of Love

Dealing With The Wrong Type Of Charity? How To Find Out?

Not Volunteering Due To Lack Of Time? Here Is How To Stop Making Excuses

The Harsh Truth – Those Who Do Not Volunteer Are Not Keen On Charity

Donating to Habitat for Humanity to Make A Difference in Communities

Little-Known Benefits of Working for a Charity

Ways to Help Your Local Soup Kitchen

4 Ways to Promote a Charity Event

Suggestions for Donations: Clothing Guidelines

Careers in the Non-Profit Sector

Getting Involved in Your Church

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