Giving is Part of Our Culture

By: Jim Eskin, July 9, 2014

Independence Day is the time when we reflect on the founding of our nation, our love of freedom, and our shared values. High on that list is sharing and caring for one another.

The release of “Giving USA: The Annual Report on Philanthropy” reinforces the breadth and depth of this sentiment. Total charitable contributions from individuals, corporations and foundations are estimated at $316.23 billion for 2012. Individuals accounted for the majority of estimated gifts in 2012 — 72 percent of total giving. When giving by bequests and family foundations is added, the share of contributions from American households increases to 86 percent.

Americans are givers, and philanthropy is not just practiced by the wealthiest among us. Some two-thirds of U.S. households give to charities.

Americans do more than write checks. More than 1 out of 4 people volunteer their time to favorite causes. Volunteers are much more likely than nonvolunteers to donate to a charitable cause, with 78.2 percent contributing $25 or more compared to 38.5 percent of nonvolunteers.

What’s behind this ethic of giving of time, talent and treasure? It’s not that we’re a nation of saints. There’s a practical dimension to empathy. It just makes sense: You scratch my back, I’ll scratch yours.

It can be traced back to Alexis de Tocqueville, the French historian, who wrote “Democracy in America” in 1835, observing the power of community involvement, engagement and bonds.

That practical habit of lending a helping hand continues today. At some time all of us will be in need. We all face economic, physical or mental hardship. We won’t make it without the help and support of others.

Another key motivation is the satisfaction of giving back. After enjoying good fortune, many people choose to share it with the schools, medical facilities and other institutions that have helped them and family members along the way.

Finally, there’s a nourishing element to giving. Philanthropy is a two-way transaction that does as much for the donor as the recipient. Donors are enriched through the process and feel better about themselves.

All the while, competition for the philanthropic dollar is fierce. Nonprofits need to effectively tell their stories, build relationships, and align their missions with the interests, values and priorities of donor prospects.

America is the most generous nation on earth. No other country comes close. For the past 50 years, Americans have voluntarily given 2 percent of gross domestic product for charitable causes. In Britain, France, Germany, Japan, Canada and other major industrial democracies, charitable giving is just 1 percent of the economy or less.

Giving is an admirable part of our culture. It’s something to be proud of, celebrated and passed along from one generation to the next.

Original Source: http://www.mysanantonio.com/default/article/Giving-is-part-of-our-culture-4636635.php 

Top 20 Ways to Make a Difference

If you’re reading this, you probably have an interest in philanthropy. Kind-hearted people like yourself are empathetic to the needs of others, and are genuinely bothered by the troubles in the world. If you’re like many other aspiring philanthropists, you might have a hard time knowing where to focus your efforts. Here are some great ways you can make a difference in philanthropy.

Start With Yourself

One of the best ways you can make a difference is to be the best person you can. Although you’re probably pretty awesome already — considering you make helping others a priority in your life — like everyone, there might be some room for improvement. Think of how you impact the people around you daily. You want to:

• Treat others with compassion and kindness.
• Always lend a hand to someone in need.
• Be a positive role model.
• Be someone others can trust without fear of rejection or betrayal.
• Be aware of how your moods and behaviors affect those around you.

Volunteer in Your Community

Make A Difference

Have you heard the saying, “charity starts at home?” There’s some logic to this idea. There are probably tons of people in your community who could use the help of a kind philanthropist as yourself where you can make a difference. Do some research, and decide where you talents and skills are most useful. Here are some ideas to get you started:

• Volunteer at a local soup kitchen or shelter.
• Organize a food and/or clothing drive.
• Mentor children (like teaching them to read).
• Visit the elderly who live in nursing facilities.
• Make care packages for the homeless.

Help the Environment

Philanthropy isn’t just about helping people in need, it can be about dedicating yourself to any cause that benefits mankind or society. One cause that’s getting a lot of attention lately is the preservation of our natural environment. If you’re concerned about the impact we have on Earth, then you might be interested in:

• Conservation and recycling is key. Be aware of how much water and electricity you use, and recycle all your glass, plastic, paper, and aluminum.
• Clean a local park or highway. Just be sure to stay safe!
• Produce less waste. Use things that are reusable like cloth shopping bags.
• Maintain your vehicle so it produces less pollution and uses less gas.
• Educate others about how to reduce their impact on the Earth.

Support a Cause

There are hundreds of worthy causes that could use the support of a dedicated philanthropist. If a particular cause is close to your heart, learn all you can about it then decide how you can make a difference. Here are some causes worth noting:

• Help The Children (www.helpthechildren.org)
• St Jude’s Children Hospital (www.stjude.org)
• Family Promise. Charity for Homeless Families. (www.familypromise.org)
• Animal Charities of America (www.animalcharitiesofamerica.org)
• Veterans Charities (www.vfw.org)

You CAN Make a Difference!

If you want to make a difference, there is one very important thing to remember. No act of kindness is mundane. No matter how small, every time you help someone you are changing things for the better. So, never think that you’re just one person who can’t cause any real change. If you have an interest in philanthropy, then don’t wait another day. Find your niche. Get out there. And do some good!

Original Source: http://philanthropistlist.com/2015/06/top-20-ways-to-make-a-difference/ 

DonatePages.com Announces New Redesign and Crowdfunding Marketing Partnerships

A fresh new crowdfunding website and crowdfunding marketing partnerships to help campaigns receive more donations

Hoffman Estates, IL – August 3, 2015 – DonatePages.com, owned and operated by Fusta Group LLC, is proud to announce the new redesign of its crowdfunding platform for fundraising. The DonatePages.com crowdfunding website has a fresh new look, user-friendly navigation and new campaign search functionality. These are just some of the new features you will enjoy.

Along with the cleaner and more modern looking feel of the Donate Pages crowdfunding website, the “Start A Fundraiser” process has also become a more simpler process. In the past, to create a crowdfunding campaign page was a six step process which was very confusing and time consuming. Donate Pages simplified the process in a 1 – Pitch, 2 – Funding, and 3 – Go Live campaign set up process making it as easy as 1, 2, 3!

Donate Pages also promotes that crowdfunding is not a “post it and forget it” proposition. You have to do some of the legwork yourself by sharing your campaign with your family, friends, email contacts or on social media so that you have a higher chance of receiving donations.

If a campaign page owner can’t promote or market their campaign pages, Donate Pages has partnered up with www.CrowdfundingPromotions.com and CrowdfundingPro on Fiverr to help promote campaigns through their crowdfunding marketing services. These crowdfunding marketing services greatly increase the potential to reaching crowdfunding goals.

To LEARN MORE about DonatePages.com, please visit: http://www.donatepages.com/

About DonatePages.com

DonatePages.com was created to help anyone fundraise and collect donations for any project, charity, cause or individual needs. Our community is filled with people that have great ideas. Making those ideas a reality is not always easy. The main reasons why ideas never come to fruition is lack of funding and exposure.

DonatePages.com helps you create a fundraising campaign for your idea or project fast and helps you getting the word out to the crowd funding community telling them what you are working to accomplish.

For more information about crowd funding and fundraising, please visit: http://www.donatepages.com/

Contact

RJ Camposagrado

1255 Gannon Drive #957532

Hoffman Estates, IL 60195-7532

630-855-3555

info@donatepages.com

www.DonatePages.com

What is Crowdfunding?

Crowdfunding is a term that you may have heard a lot lately in the news, online, and from friends.  Maybe you’re unsure exactly what it is that people are talking about.  The concept of crowdfunding is quite simple, and in this piece, we’ll take a look at each step in the process.

I’ve got an Idea!

It happens every single day.  An inventor or developer has an idea for a product or service.  That product could be something new and revolutionary, something artistic, or something that improves on an existing product or service.  The problem that you face is simple and very common: you do not have the necessary funds to develop your great idea. 

The enterprising inventor then tries traditional means of raising venture capital.  This often means presenting his idea to large investors or companies.  These meetings are stressful and usually unsuccessful.  Even in the unlikely event that the concept is well liked, it can often come with strings attached including:

·         Providing a majority of the profit that may come from the development of the product to the investors.

·         Outside, often uninformed, input, changing the core concepts of your idea.

This is where many great concepts die.  Not anymore.

Turning to the Public

Now you have options when traditional means of raising the capital for your idea fail, or don’t suit your personality or vision for your project.  Throughout history, people have turned to friends or family to help fund new business ventures or concepts.  Crowdfunding takes that one step further, by turning to the public, asking them to invest in your idea.

Using a medium, such as DonatePages.com, you can present your idea to the public.  You’ll be provided with robust tools to talk about your concept, vision, and how it makes people’s lives better.  People will evaluate their idea, get excited, and make small contributions to your project.  Instead of asking one or two investors for thousands of dollars, instead you’re asking thousands of investors for just a few dollars.

In return, the developer often offers special benefits and perks to those who’ve donated to their project, usually increasing in value by the level of donation.  Perhaps a filmmaker will give an early DVD copy to someone who donates $10.  For a person who donates $1,000, they may offer a producer credit.  For someone kind enough to donate $10,000, that person may get a cameo appearance in the movie.

Crowdfunding is a wonderful way to increase your opportunity to properly fund your invention, service idea, or artistic project without the stress, embarrassment, and loss of control that traditional means of raising investment capital works.  More so, you have the opportunity to develop lasting relationships with large groups of people who may be interested in future projects.  If you have an idea, what’s stopping you from starting a campaign today?  You may turn your dream into a reality!

Top Ten Fundraising Ideas

For many groups, raising funds to accomplish your mission can be challenging.  Many nonprofits focus on antiquated methods, such as telephone fundraising or direct mail.  Some charities get involved in co-branding agreements with popular products.  No matter what you’re raising money for, you’ll need to be creative.  These ten ideas may be a great starting point for your fundraising efforts.

10.  Go extreme!  Shave your head!

This has been very successful for cancer charities, and accomplishes two goals.  Volunteers agree to shave their heads if a certain dollar amount has been raised by a deadline.  This not only raises money for your cause, but it shows solidarity with cancer patients; chemotherapy can cause hair loss.  This is an all around win-win.

9.  Host a Summer Car Wash

Gather your volunteers somewhere convenient, and have them offer to wash people’s cars for a donation.  People like this because they get something in return for their generosity.  Plus, a hand wash is way better on their cars than a drive through.

8.  Eating Contest

Based on the popularity of television shows like Man vs. Food, you could host a hot dog, pie, or taco eating contest.  Participants could raise money for their entry, and you could ask local restaurants or caterers to donate the food and venue.  Who doesn’t like to see someone eat massive amounts of food?

7.  Cookbook!

Ask each member of your group to submit a recipe, then compile a cookbook to sell to raise funds.  This is a fun way for people to share recipes for a good cause.

6.  Rubber Bracelets

Popularized in the early 2000’s, brightly colored rubber bracelets can draw attention to your cause, and raise funds in the process.  When bought in bulk, these bracelets can cost a few pennies a piece, and can be sold for a couple of dollars.

5.  Twitter Fundraising

Ask businesses and individuals to donate a certain amount based on the number of times a Twitter hash tag is used.  This can add up extremely quickly.

4.  Hold an Auction

Ask local businesses and artists to donate prizes from their inventory.  Then hold an auction where the public bids on these items, with the proceeds going to the cause. 

3.  Fifty-Fifty Raffle

You see these everywhere, with good reason – they work.  Members sell tickets at a busy event.  At a predetermined time, the winning ticket is drawn, with half of the money going to the charity, the other half going to the winning ticket holder. 

2.  Walkathon

Made popular by Clark Cobb of the Christian Businessman Association, the walkathon is a popular fundraising tool.  Members raise money by asking friends and family for donations, based on the distance that they’re willing to walk.  These small amounts can add up!  

1.  Get out of Jail

These can be quite fun.  Contact your local prison and ask if they’d be willing to “lock up” members until they were able to post “bail.”  Your members will spend the evening in a jail cell (in a safe part of the prison, of course), and their friends, family, and the public can donate until a goal is reached, releasing them.

Welcome to the New Donate Pages Blog!

Welcome to the new Donate Pages Blog!

We will be adding content soon!