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The Etiquette of Giving “All the worlds a stage And all the men and women merely players.” • To Give or not to Give, that is the question. And the answer is… to Give without Question! • When the word “etiquette” is mentioned, the first thought one sometimes has is a vision of white gloves and pinkies out, please! • Etiquette is simply a set of rules and traditions that evolve as our culture does. Would you play a game of golf without first knowing the rules? Probably not. • As the dictionary defines, the word “charitable” means to be generous in the giving of money or other to help the needy. Key word: Other. One does not have to have the last name of Buffet or Gates to give. Giving can come in many different forms. According to the American Foundation for the Blind, “etiquette is really just another way of describing the thoughtful, considerate behavior that we expect to receive from others and give to them.” Think the Golden Rule. • If you are not sure where to begin, start with the World Wide Web. One terrific site is Give.org which gives tips on how to give and states, “more than 80% of the money raised by charities in the United States comes from individuals.” Astonishing, but not surprising given the decline of government funding for non-profit organizations. • There will always be a great need for charitable donations. Giving is a beneficial experience for everyone involved. If you’ve decided to make a donation, just how does one begin? Let’s start with the basics: • Do your Homework. Part of the difficulty in selecting a charity is that there are thousands that need your help. Choosing one should ideally be based on your personal preferences and experiences that fit within your objectives and beliefs. Who doesn’t want to feel good about their donation? • Request a copy of the Organization’s Annual Report. It will list board members and financial statements. Financial Statements are a good indicator of how and where your money will be spent. I prefer ones that spends a majority of there donations on actual programs and services vs. administrative costs. • Leave a Legacy. If someone in your family has suffered from an illness, this seems a likely place to plant your time or money. For instance, my mother had breast cancer many years ago so I have given to various breast cancer organizations. When my husband and I were married nearly six years ago, we used the breast cancer stamp on our wedding invitation to honor her survival. I’m not sure how many of our guests understood the meaning, but she did and that’s what counts! • I believe Edith Wharton said it best. “There are two ways of spreading light: to be the candle or the mirror that reflects it.” If she were alive today, I’m sure she would mean that giving at any level will make the difference in someone’s precious life. • John Wesley, an 18th century theologian said, “Do all the good you can, by all the means you can, in all the ways you can, at all the times you can, to all the people you can, as long as ever you can.” Can you live by these words? • The next time you think about giving, don’t. Just do it. It takes little effort to give. Philanthropy is the answer. Lead by example. Make a Difference. Give.
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Lisa M. Grotts |
