WWYD: Money, Time and Donations
There’s been a lot of talk here lately on the ethics of tithing. Last week, Aundi pointed out that one problem with tithing is that obligatory weekly or monthly giving must create a sense of resentment, when other methods of fundraising, such as a drive, could create a stronger sense of community.
While I don’t like the idea of prescribed giving, and find some of the manipulation Aundi discusses patently unethical, I think it’s worthwhile to consider the ethics of putting your resources to work in your community. Giving money is, of course, important, especially to the right organizations. In college, I had a paid internship at an organization funded almost completely by donations–when their giving was down, they had to let me go. As an intern, it wasn’t that big of a deal. But, also while I was in school, a local sexual assault advocacy organization lost funding for its only education and outreach position. That was just one woman’s job, but the loss was definitely felt in the community.
However, there are so many ways besides money to give back. In this week’s WWYD, I’m exploring some of the ways to give back to your community–please feel free to offer more suggestions in the comments!
Some organizations rely on small individual donations; others accept these donations but are funded mostly by grants, major gifts, or membership. Likewise, some organizations make room to use volunteers, and others run their programs with volunteer staffs. When looking to donate money, it’s worth investigating who uses donations most efficiently, and what kind of donations mean the most to different organizations. When looking to donate your time, a little research can pay off in a huge way–you can find volunteer work that’s meaningful for the organization and fulfilling for you.
It can take a little work–I interned at one organization that found it very frustrating to find space for people who insisted on volunteering in one particular way, but that didn’t want to upset potential donors by turning them down. If you figure out where you’re really needed, though, you can donate your professional skills, devote the time to other personal development, or do something completely different. Clinics, animal rescue organizations, and political or issue campaigns are all organizations that tend to use volunteers in integral ways. Try volunteermatch.org or scan the listings at your local craigslist–and google “LGBT volunteers” in your city. Lots of LGBT organizations come from a grassroots perspective that regards volunteers as a vital component of their mission.
Also, donations of stuff–new or used stuff–can be exponentially important. I didn’t realize what a big deal it was until another of my internships, with an umbrella organization that covered a number of urban development and anti-poverty projects. The organizations that most often accept donations of food, clothes, school supplies, and toiletries, such as shelters, HeadStarts, and food banks, are usually grant-funded. This means that their budgets are usually strictly allocated, especially if they’re on government grants, so there isn’t a lot of wiggle room for buying extra supplies. Also, organizations can count in-kind donations of goods as funds they’ve raised to earn matching grants. Buying an extra bottle of shampoo for your local women’s shelter or a few cans for the food bank can be a big benefit. Also, while no one wants something completely gross, homeless shelters can clean up clothes or toys that are a little too well-used for a thrift store to sell.
Before you get rid of anything, see if there’s someone who can use it. More and more electronics can be donated for different causes–there’s almost certainly a domestic violence program in your area that collects old cell phones to give their clients 911 access. Recellular.com lists many different kinds of organizations that need old phones–seriously, if you ever throw away a used cell phone, please lie to me and tell me that you donated it to someone. I even know a couple who donated their house to the fire department to burn down for training–they’re rebuilding on their land and can get a tax writeoff by making the house a charitable donation.
As I’m starting out and getting settled, I’ve been thinking a lot about how to get involved in my community and meet new people without spending a whole lot of money. Volunteer time has been a huge part of that–and during the holidays, charitable giving of one kind or another is on a lot of people’s minds. How do you regard the charities in your area–or do you give them much thought at all?
Melissa: For me personally, I believe in giving my money to causes that I believe in… most are national organizations, although I give to the Gay and Lesbian Center of Los Angeles… god knows, they call me enough asking for more.
I also donate anything that I don’t need or want to Goodwill. I try to never send anything to the landfill that could be used again.
Awhile back The Economist covered how we’ve become more fascinated with giving. “The media, which used to take little notice of charitable donations, now eagerly rank the super-rich by their munificence and berate those they regard as tight-fisted.â€
Usually I shun away from any of the media hype… but in this case, as much as it bugs me to see another photo op of Angelina Jolie traipsing through Africa, I think the media has raised awareness in giving… which is good.
I think people also need to know their time helping as volunteers is critical too. How many organizations in the past provided valuable community service are now reaching a point where they don’t have human help as they used to?
My partner spends a great deal of her time each week at our church, an inner city church with many programs. She has been the council president in the past as well. But the time she spends making sure programs have help and rolling up her sleeves to do the work when they don’t. We can’t afford to give much money, but we know the work she does is invaluable. And much more beyond this- an older (having celebrated 150 years) church with a stoic Lutheran background– has become a champion of LGBT causes from our involvement and activity. Our local Sage chapter is housed in our church’s building; many local LGBT community fundraisers happen in our church. This didn’t happen overnight- it has been 15 years of our work and time commitment, but the tide has WAY turned.
When I changed phones the guy at the cellular store told me they were having a collection for one of the local women’s shelters that works with battered women. I thought that was a pretty cool idea for the store to get good press and it was really convenient for me.