Each week when I donate to a charity, I try to understand and feel compassion to the causes I'm contributing to. But I struggle with a bias - I see the world based on my own context, experiences, and points of view. I think to myself, "I want to help change this world and by making a donation I'm having an impact." When I look at what other people are not doing, my bias blinds the need to understand the world as it is instead of how I wish it were.
I don't expect anyone to give money to charity ~ it's not easy, financially. What I do expect are suggestions, especially when it pertains to which charity people would like me to donate to. But my bias and better judgement clouded the need to understand the world as it is. I'm equally disappointed in myself as I am to my Twitter followers ~ 3 suggestions out of 350+ people who could have helped had an impact on something far beyond anyone one of us.
I've been trying to understand my own thoughts and feelings towards this, as well as why people don't put any effort into a worthy cause. "The Secret to Getting People to Give: 15 Reasons Why People Donate" and "at last, some useful information on why people donate to charity" are very short and to the point article. For more substantial information I'm slowly browsing through this report, "Hope Consulting: Money For Good". If you are looking to begin changing the world - whether I have any part in it or not - I suggest the influence of peopleforgood.ca
This week I'm making a donation to "Toronto Community Foundation" ~ a registered, public, non-profit organization created to connect philanthropy with community needs and opportunities in order to make Toronto the best place to live, work, learn, and grow. Established in 1981, they've grown to hold over $255 million in assets and to work with hundreds of concerned Torontonians and high-impact community organizations. Their approach focuses on donor services, community knowledge, and city building in order to present an annual research report on Toronto's quality of life called "Toronto's Vital Signs Report". The Report is compiled from current statistics and special studies which look at eleven different, yet interconnected, issue areas that are critical to the well-being of our city and its residents. Its goals include inspiring civic engagement, providing focus for public debate, and guiding donors and stakeholders who want to direct their resources to areas of greatest need.
I don't expect anyone to give money to charity ~ it's not easy, financially. What I do expect are suggestions, especially when it pertains to which charity people would like me to donate to. But my bias and better judgement clouded the need to understand the world as it is. I'm equally disappointed in myself as I am to my Twitter followers ~ 3 suggestions out of 350+ people who could have helped had an impact on something far beyond anyone one of us.
I've been trying to understand my own thoughts and feelings towards this, as well as why people don't put any effort into a worthy cause. "The Secret to Getting People to Give: 15 Reasons Why People Donate" and "at last, some useful information on why people donate to charity" are very short and to the point article. For more substantial information I'm slowly browsing through this report, "Hope Consulting: Money For Good". If you are looking to begin changing the world - whether I have any part in it or not - I suggest the influence of peopleforgood.ca
This week I'm making a donation to "Toronto Community Foundation" ~ a registered, public, non-profit organization created to connect philanthropy with community needs and opportunities in order to make Toronto the best place to live, work, learn, and grow. Established in 1981, they've grown to hold over $255 million in assets and to work with hundreds of concerned Torontonians and high-impact community organizations. Their approach focuses on donor services, community knowledge, and city building in order to present an annual research report on Toronto's quality of life called "Toronto's Vital Signs Report". The Report is compiled from current statistics and special studies which look at eleven different, yet interconnected, issue areas that are critical to the well-being of our city and its residents. Its goals include inspiring civic engagement, providing focus for public debate, and guiding donors and stakeholders who want to direct their resources to areas of greatest need.
I challenge anyone to do more.
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