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A rabbit hole with a message

Have you ever had an afternoon where you just can’t focus? After a week of our leadership camp, I found myself meandering on social media. My LinkedIn feed presented an article from a mutual connection I didn’t know. Before I knew it I had gone down a tech and time rabbit hole in search of more.

The initial hook was an article about a Subscription Box that teaches children to volunteer. You can see why I was instantly engaged? Of course, I now needed to know more about this person that shared more than a few mutual friends on LinkedIn.  Her name was Jessica Jackley and she is best known as the co-founder of Kiva.  The nonprofit micro-lending organization that literally changed the face of philanthropy as well as how we look at poverty.

Kiva lets users lend as little as $25 to individual entrepreneurs, providing borrowers affordable capital to start or expand their business. Since its founding, Kiva has facilitated over $1.5B in loans worldwide. I knew her name sounded familiar…Before I knew it I was sucked into Jessica’s 2010 Ted Talk called, Poverty, money, and Love. You will be too because Jessica touches your soul in her authentic quest to make a difference.

 

For those of you not going down the rabbit hole with me, Jessica talked about three things near and dear to my heart. First,  entrepreneurs….hers are from third-world countries and mine are nonprofit founders but close enough. They are both people working hard to make life better for others. Second, the importance of community which is what all nonprofits build.  Lastly, we both agree that people are innately good. We all care and want to help but so often do not know-how. Ultimately, Jessica reminds us that it is a simple fact that caring gives us hope.

The next time you end up going down an unknown technological path, be open to what you may discover at the end of the journey. You never know what message is waiting for you.

Wishing you all a festive holiday weekend. Happy 4th of July!

 

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Copyright © 2021 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

 

Charitable Ideas for the Holidays

Since starting Charity Matters a few months back, I have had a number of requests for charitable ideas for the holidays.

It’s never too early to show and share and power of giving and isn’t that what the season is all about?

Here are some ideas that matter:

  • For The Art Connoisseur- Give them the gift of their favorite museum membership for the year. All are non-profits that survive by donations so a great gift. Here are a few; Moca, The Huntington Library, and The Getty.
  • The Animal Lover- Giving an animal lover a gift that takes care of animals like The American Humane Society is a gift that keeps giving.
  • The Finance Guy- Kiva is a non-profit that connects people worldwide through small micro finance loans. You select who you want to loan money too in order to change a life. They pay you back in ways bigger than money.
  • The Teen Activist-The Hole in the Wall Camps where terminally ill and very ill children get a chance to “be normal” and have a real camp experience. Teach your teens how to give and be grateful for their health.
  • The Reading Enthusiast- First Books is a non-profit that has distributed more than 85 million books and educational resources to schools serving children from low-income families throughout the United States.
  • The Adventurer- Outward Bound is a non-profit educational organization and expedition school that serves people of all ages and backgrounds through learning expeditions that inspire character development, self-discovery and service both in and out of the classroom.
  • The Person With Everything- We all know that person that is impossible to buy for and here is the solution. Charity Gift Certificates. Org this website will give you a list of over 250 non-profit organizations and one is sure to fit your person with everything. You donate an amount and they can select who to give it too.

So whoever you may find on your list this season, share with them the true meaning of the holidays….giving.  Know that your Charity Matters! Happy Shopping.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.

Kiva

The other day I came home to find a picture of a woman on my husband’s computer screen.  No, it’s not what your thinking but I must admit I was curious.

I asked my husband who this person was and he proudly claimed that he had just given this woman, Ana a loan.  To understand how shocking this is you have to know my husband. He is a generous soul but likes to give to things that affect him and our family (kid’s school, local hospital and community-oriented giving).

This woman was a widow with two children from Costa Rica who needed money to buy chickens.  She would then sell the eggs to support her family. Through an organization called Kiva, which provides microfinance, he was able to help this woman with a loan, not a donation.

Kiva believes in a world where all people- even in the most remote areas of the globe- hold the power to create an opportunity for themselves and others. The smile of pride on my husband’s face told me he believes this as well. The power of one is indeed powerful.

Copyright © 2011 Charity Matters. This article may not be reproduced without explicit written permission; if you are not reading this in your newsreader, the site you are viewing is illegally infringing our copyright. We would be grateful if you contact us.