We usually focus here on charities or individuals who are raising money for important causes. Rarely, however, do we focus on the how of charity work. How do you ask for money? How do you raise thousands upon thousands of dollars for causes that you believe in? Here is a great video that answers some of those questions and should help you with your fundraising efforts.
John has much experience working in the philanthropic world, and takes great interest in charitable goings on today.
Charitable Giving in the Modern Age
This fascinating article shows where Americans are putting their charitable givings – and where they aren’t. It’s certainly interesting to see how the political landscape and economic times influence givers – and to see where and when they give.
Certainly, the latest news from Robert F. Smith has created a giving buzz. Smith, a billionaire tech investor, pledge this week to get rid of all of the debt held by the entire graduating class of Morehouse College this year.
Student Offers Hope to Hope Lodge
Here’s a lovely story about how one person can make a difference. Rose Burns wanted to give back to the American Cancer Society Hope Lodge in Burlington, Vermont. Her family had stayed for free at the Hope Lodge in their time of need and now she wanted to use the skills she was learning at the Lake Placid High School cosmetology program to give back.
So, she hosted a day of manicures to raise money for the location. She and 22 other cosmetology students got together to give manicures to more than 30 costumers and they gave all of the money to the Lodge. Learn more about her efforts and how you can still contribute.
Kansas Humane Society Receives Famous Support
The Kansas Humane Society will be the beneficiary this year of the NFL players this year. NFL draft prospect Ben Powers is planning to wear custom-made cleats in the NFL season’s 13th week to raise awareness about the KHS. The cleats will also be auctioned off to raise money for the cause.
While visiting the KHS recently, Powers said, “KHS is a great organization and they do a lot of good for our community.”
Read the whole story here:
https://www.kwch.com/content/news/Ben-Powers-chooses-KS-Humane-Society-to-benefit-from-NFL-charity-effort-508721101.html
Poker Player Donates Big Winnings
This story is too heartwarming to pass up. Scott Wellenbach grew up in Philadelphia and now lives in Nova Scotia. He’s a great poker player, and recently won $670,000 when he finished third in the 2019 PokerStars Caribbean Adventure Main Event.
Rather than using that money on a vacation, a car or some other fun activity – he’s giving it all to charity. He’s donated the money to causes like the Red Cross, Doctors Without Borders, Amnesty International and Oxfam International.
It’s worth reading about his adventures and the generous impact he’s making on others.
American Heart Association Fundraiser a Huge Success
The American Heart Association held a fundraiser to celebrate their 20th anniversary. Called The Heart’s Delight Charity Wine Auction, the event happened in Washington D.C. on March 6-9 and raised $1.3 million for the AHA. Since the auction was started in 1999, it has raised $19 million in total.
One portion of the event included a grand tasting and live auction. The auction alone brought in more than $400,000. Other events included the Congress Has Heart reception, dinners hosted by embassy members and winemakers, a Bordeaux master class and more.
Learn more about the American Heart Association and the important work they do.
Community 101
When students and teachers work together to raise money for charity, amazing things can happen.
In Oregon, eight schools have united to create Scot’s Angel Club, a club that raises money for children in medical crisis. The schools created Community 101, a philanthropy project. According to them:
“Leadership students are the engine that makes the Scot’s Angel Club at David Douglas go. Part of Community 101 is teaching students the value of giving. Students spend hundreds of hours on fundraising and creating special projects for the Scot’s Angels club.”
The club has raised over $75,000 over the past 12 years. 100 percent of their proceeds go directly to the families involved. Students also volunteer in other ways, such as helping at food banks and cleaning up at the beach.
Boy Scouts of America
The Boy Scouts of America was founded in 1910 and has over 2 million youth participants. Central to the organization are their one million adult volunteers who help oversee Scout troops.
Volunteers come from a range of backgrounds, united by their desire to help train Scouts. Many volunteers, such as Paul Ostling, a business leader and the former Global Chief Operating Officer at Ernst & Young, dedicate hours of their time to the Boy Scouts. Paul Ostling volunteered with the Boy Scouts as an adult leader volunteer, Cub Master, Assistant Scout Master
The success of the Boy Scouts of America depends on volunteers such as Paul J. Ostling, who donate their time and energy to this important cause.
Shredding Events: A Unique Charity Fundraiser
Effective fundraisers know how to grab people’s attention. The next step—convincing people to donate money—is often the easy part.
When donors benefit in some way from their contribution, this often encourages donations.
Shredding events are fundraisers that meet this criteria. Donors bring bags of paper and documents to be shredded, donating a few dollars per bag.
Sometimes, banks or offices run shredding events to raise money and awareness of identity theft. An upcoming shredding event in New York will raise money for the A.J. Anderson Foundation, funding research to cure Tay-Sachs disease.
Positive Impact for Kids
As a pre-teen, Leanne Joyce was a nationally ranked jump roper, competitive swimmer and gymnast.
This all changed when Leanne was diagnosed with Aortic Valve Stenosis, a heart disorder that prevents proper blood flow. Leanne had to immediately stop her exercise regimen and was forced to abandon her hopes for competitive sports.
Devastated, Leanne found something to cheer her up: when teenage volunteers in the hospital gave her a gift, Leanne was inspired. She decided to shift her focus, and her organization, Positive Impact for Kids, was born.
Positive Impact for Kids is the organization Leanne founded in response to her health crisis. Positive Impact for Kids helps hospital staff better support patients by providing them with tools such as laptops, gaming systems, iPad minis and gift cards.
Incredibly, the organization has raised over $140,000. Positive Impact for Kids has made donations to 117 hospitals, at least two per state.