How Philanthropic is Your City?

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

If you were asked how charitable your city is, would it be at the top or bottom of the list? It’s always interesting to see where various American cities fall on the list of charitable giving. Certainly, one would expect that cities that struggle with their own economic hardships would be less charitable than those with more financial stability. In a study in 2020 by Charity Navigator, they looked at the largest charities in the top 30 metropolitan locations. They evaluated spending in: Atlanta, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Cleveland, Colorado Springs, Dallas, Denver, Detroit, Houston, Indianapolis, Kansas City, Los Angeles, Miami, Milwaukee, Minneapolis/ St. Paul, Nashville, New York City, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Portland, San Diego, San Francisco, Seattle, St. Louis, Tampa/St. Petersburg, Washington, DC.

These markets generate 64% of the revenue and 66% of the spending for charities in America. They found, among other results, that the highest rated cities for charitable giving were: Pittsburgh, Houston, Dallas, San Francisco and Kansas City; the lowest rated locations were Baltimore, Detroit, Indianapolis, Milwaukee and Nashville.

There were many other interesting finds in their analysis as well, and the entire report is worth reading.

 

One Organization Helping Kids Sleep Better

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: ,

Most of us would probably assume that America’s children all have a bed in which to sleep. It might not be the fanciest bed, or the most exciting bed, but it’s a bed. We would be right for about 97% of America’s children – but wrong for the other 3%. This is a shocking problem that one organization, called Sleep in Heavenly Peace, is trying to combat.

Established in 212, the organization has the goal of ensuring that kids have a place to sleep – in a bed that is suited to their needs. By 2018, there were hundreds of chapters around the country, and even those in Canada, Bermuda and the Bahamas. They build bunk beds out of raw materials and offer mattresses, pillows and bedding to go along with the beds.

The organization has, to date, offered close to 65,000 beds for those in need. It’s certainly worth knowing more about them, what they do, and how to be involved.

Helping our Youngest Excel

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By JohnPosted In: Charity ActivityTagged: ,

Today, there are so many people in need with the COVID-19 pandemic and crisis. Not everyone is able to give to others, but for those who are this is an incredible time to open your wallet and your heart. Where do you begin to help in these days and months of crisis?

Certainly, we can’t cover all of the organizations that are helping people. But one organization that is worth a look is Inner City-Inner Child. This initiative has the goal of improving the quality of academic life for children from 0-5 in the Washington D.C. area and in their most economically disadvantaged neighborhoods. They started in 1987 by bringing concert music to low-income neighborhoods and realized, through this initiative, that “young children had the greatest unmet needs in our community.”

Inner City-Inner Child was created in 1994 and works to integrate the arts with academics to help early childhood education in the D.C. area. With today’s inauguration, D.C. might be just the place to start focusing on our youngest citizens and their needs.

Giving Back in Corona Times

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

There are so many ways to give back.  During corona times the act of giving is even more important.  So many people have suffered in so many different ways that truly any type of giving would be appreciated. Even if one thinks they have nothing to offer, they would be surprised at just how many opportunities exist.

Take Mozes Victor Konig for example.  An Israeli based photographer, Konig’s work has definitely slowed down during the pandemic.  But rather than rest on his laurels or get depressed about the situation, Konig has been using the opportunity to give back to his community as well as those in other parts of the world.

“In the first lockdown I saw that people were scared, hunkering down and there was an increase in depression and anxiety,” Konig recalls.  “I initially started taking pictures of the ‘world without people’ as it looked to me but that was not helping my own personal mental health.  So I asked around and found that people would love to have socially-distanced photos.  I saw an opportunity and went for it,” Mozes Victor Konig says, explaining how his volunteer work was able to put a smile on people’s faces.

Konig went out and took photos of all sorts of people.  And houses. And dogs.  And then he sent them to their email addresses and refused payment.  “Take it as a gift.  Take it without money.  Just pass it on.  Pay It Forward.  Do a good deed for someone else during this time,” Konig said.

Family-Owned Businesses Making Philanthropic Commitments

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, Charity in Business, FamilyTagged: , , , ,

Family-owned companies are including philanthropy as a fundamental part of their business model, dedicating significant funds to worthy charities and causes.

Evan Metropoulos and Warren Buffett
Evan Metropoulos, left, with Warren Buffett. Metropoulos & Co. has signed Buffett’s Giving Pledge.

Evan Metropoulos, of Metropoulos & Co., says his family has translated its core values and principles to active charitable giving. The company became a signatory to The Giving Pledge, an initiative of billionaires Warren Buffett and Bill and Melinda Gates, pledging more than half of the company’s wealth to philanthropy. According to Mr. Metropoulos, the company takes pride in its giving and its role in modeling good corporate practices.

“It has proven to be good for business, too. We are recruiting and keeping fantastic employees who are committed to what we stand for and give to. Our clients and the wider community want to be a part of generating positive change in the world.”

Evan Metropoulos, Metropoulos & Co.
van Metropoulos at the Clinton Foundation
Evan Metropoulos, left, with members of the Clinton family at a Clinton Foundation Millennium Network event.

Coin Shortage – and the Chance to Give

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

You may have noticed that there is a coin shortage in American because of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since people aren’t spending as regularly at businesses and some businesses are closed, there are less coins circulating at the moment.

Southeastern Grocers, Inc. (SEG) has decided to use that shortage to help people in need. Starting Friday, customers at any of their Winn-Dixie, Harveys Supermarket, BI-Lo and Fresco y Mas stores can round up their grocery bill to the nearest dollar to help others. All of the extra change will be electronically collected and then given to charity.

With this money, they plan a few projects.

*From July 24 to Aug 4 they will give to Feeding America and its food banks.

*From Aug 5 to Aug 25, they will give the spare change to the American Heart Association’s Life Is Why We Give fundraising campaign to encourage people to live healthier lives.

*From Aug 16 to Sept 29 they will support Feeding America for Hunger Action Month

* From Sept 30 to Nov 3 the Southeaster Grocers customers in certain states will be helping the American Red Cross’ Disaster Relief.

This is a creative and easy way to help those in need. And rounding your grocery bill up by $.52 won’t be felt by most people. But every little bit really does make a big difference for those in need.

Two College Kids Skating Their Way to Raising Funds

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

It’s always a breath of fresh air to see young people using their energy and their time to help others. This is even more so during these difficult times. Two University of Massachusetts Boston friends are scheduling an adventure to raise money for the American Cancer Society.

What are they doing? They are planning to head out from their college campus today to skate to Mason, Michigan. They plan to skate about 100 to 150 miles each day and to finish the goal in 7-10 days. As Jacob Adkins, whose mother has been battling cancer explained,  

“There’s all this craziness in the world, yet there’s still people battling cancer. We want to bring a positive light in the darkness.”

They plan to raise money along the way for the American Cancer Society. Let’s wish them luck!

Give a Donation on Father’s Day

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity

What a lovely idea to make a donation today for Father’s Day. You may be making it in honor of your father who just doesn’t need anything right now. Or maybe you’re making it in honor of a father or grandfather who you are remembering and is no longer with you. Whatever the reason, it’s a great way to say I Love You while doing something meaningful. Here is a fantastic list of charitable organizations worth looking into and contributing to today.

The site is set up with many locations where you can donate and learn more about the various organizations. And then you can show your loved one that you donated in his name and that you brought meaning to the day beyond buying something for your dad or grandfather.

It’s a win-win situation and could be a great idea for all!

Hauling BBQ for a Good Cause

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By JohnPosted In: Charity Activity, ChildFund International

We all have our own skills and expertise. It’s lovely to see when people use theirs for a good cause. Terry Folsom is offering up his 18-wheeler barbeque pit to help Houston-area charities. How is his 18-wheeler helping charities? Well, his vehicle and the barbeque pit it hauls can smoke between 8000-12000 pounds of meat and he’s ready to set it up at charity sites and offer food to those in need. Learn more in this video:

Mahomes Steps Up for Local Charities

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It’s always heartwarming to see what those with money do to help others. Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes is only 24 years old, and he has a lot of pressure in his life, but he takes time out to volunteer for those in need. For several years now, he has been volunteering with Veterans Community Project to help build tiny homes for struggling veterans.

In 2018, he helped the organization to build the first 13 homes in a project of 49 tiny homes for veterans. As he told Fox4KC,

“It’s awesome. Just to be a part of this with Community America and to be able to come out here and help out some veterans of our country is something that’s truly special. And they’re doing a lot of great work here, and hopefully we can help out a little bit today.”

Mahomes also has a personal charity called ‘15 and the Mahomies.’ Through this charity, he helped underprivileged children through 15 different local youth organizations.