'Tis the season for giving and in case you missed it, today, Tuesday December 2, 2014 was the official 'Giving Tuesday'. Maybe this can offset the Black Friday and Cyber Monday "getting" frenzies (though you could be "getting" for "giving" to others).
Did your inbox get flooded with "Giving Tuesday" solicitations for a kazillion charities? Mine sure did. And all the social media feeds were not very different either. #GivingTuesday was the top trending hashtag on Twitter. And just in case you don't really want to help others (channeling Scrooge), there are many studies and talks trying to convince you why you should, for example how to get happy giving money.
Maybe you were on the ball and had already figured out how much you're going to give and to whom and made it happen today - on Giving Tuesday. Then again, maybe you were super busy with the business of living and working and didn't have time to do so, or you just don't know who you'd like to give to, yet.
Not to worry, you can give any day of the year. Yes, there are matching grants offered on this day, but it doesn't really matter - announcing the matching is just a way to get more donors like you to hurry up and give right now. The 'match' donor is most likely going to donate the planned amount anyway.
I'm glad that I can give at any time, and I can give in three different ways.
Figuring out who you should give money too takes a bit more effort. If you have money to give and you're ready to do so, you can do it for:
Did your inbox get flooded with "Giving Tuesday" solicitations for a kazillion charities? Mine sure did. And all the social media feeds were not very different either. #GivingTuesday was the top trending hashtag on Twitter. And just in case you don't really want to help others (channeling Scrooge), there are many studies and talks trying to convince you why you should, for example how to get happy giving money.
Maybe you were on the ball and had already figured out how much you're going to give and to whom and made it happen today - on Giving Tuesday. Then again, maybe you were super busy with the business of living and working and didn't have time to do so, or you just don't know who you'd like to give to, yet.
Not to worry, you can give any day of the year. Yes, there are matching grants offered on this day, but it doesn't really matter - announcing the matching is just a way to get more donors like you to hurry up and give right now. The 'match' donor is most likely going to donate the planned amount anyway.
I'm glad that I can give at any time, and I can give in three different ways.
1. Giving Money.
Much of Giving Tuesday is about monetary donations, which is understandable as non-profits need money to be able to offer services to those in need. The good thing is that they will take the money any time you can give it!Figuring out who you should give money too takes a bit more effort. If you have money to give and you're ready to do so, you can do it for:
- A charity drive sponsored by your workplace
- A charity drive in your (or your kids') school
- A charity that a friend or family member is involved in
- A charity for a cause that you are intellectually/emotionally attached to
If you're picking your own favorite cause, take some time to check it out and make sure it meets your standards and it's legit. A quick look at http://www.charitynavigator.org/ would be help. And if you're up to it (and not likely to be caught up on how it'll be used), go ahead and give some money to the panhandler on the street. It's all good!
2. Giving Time.
Otherwise known as volunteering, this is the one thing, other than giving money, that keeps non-profits running. When you donate your time, you are giving of yourself in more personal way, and, most organizations welcome that, especially if you have some specialized skills that they need.
Before donating your time to an organization (check them out first!), you may want to consider a few things:
- Do you want to do this just one-time or on a recurring basis?
- One-time may help you ease into it if you're just starting out in volunteering
- Can you make - and keep - the commitment?
- Thinking of mentoring after work each week? Consider if your schedule would allow it.
- Would you enjoy the other people you would work with?
- You're more likely to keep your commitment if you're comfortable your co-volunteers
- Would you like the work you'd be doing?
- Frankly, I'm not big on cooking large vats of food, so it's a good thing that soup kitchens often have more helpers than they need.
But, you're not limited to organizations. You may have family members or friends who need companionship or some help (lonely grandpas, aunts who don't drive) who would greatly appreciate your gift of time. And don't they say that charity begins at home?
3. Giving Spirit.
No, not 'spirits', but giving of your spirit. Of the three ways of giving, this is probably the most spontaneous and the least structured. It is nothing more than showing compassion and spreading some cheer, and you can do it as often as you want, to anyone.
Some examples of how to give of your spirit:
- Thank the barista who gets your latte with some genuine warmth, eye contact and a little personalization. As in "Thank you! You are fast, even with this crowd!" vs. a mumbled, face-averted "Thanks".
- Praise your coworker's effort, especially when no one else is paying attention to it. ("It was really nice that you stayed late to help John figure out the bug.")
- Give a meaningful compliment to a family member. ("You even got your introverted cousin laughing at the party last night.")
- Email a friend you haven't been in touch with for a while with a link or story she'd like.
- Say something nice to the person waiting in the checkout line with you.
- See something that makes you feel good on Facebook? Don't just 'like' it, be bold, and write an authentic comment about how you feel. It'll make more people feel the same way.
The funny thing about giving of your spirit is that it can be the easiest thing to do but also the hardest, especially when we're so wrapped up in our own affairs and can't remember to do things without prompting. And for some people, it also not easy to connect emotionally with those who are not close friends or family. But it does get easier the more you do it though, and best of all, it makes you feel good!
Giving Tuesday is over, for this year at any rate. Do you still plan to give?
Image courtesy of rakratchada torsap at FreeDigitalPhotos.net