We are all in this together. That’s why, when you achieve some success, it feels good to give back to the communities that helped you. You get the same feeling when you help out those less fortunate than yourself. Some people even believe that these good deeds come back to you in the form of increased success in the future. The major question is how to make giving work while still earning money.
Research Your Options
Luckily, you’re already on the right track if you want to help. The first step is performing some research to understand the needs of the community you intend to support. It may also help to do some self-reflection during this stage. Think about what you’re good at. Ask yourself some pointed questions. What do you have to share with other people, and what do you hope to gain from the volunteering process? This can help you identify the best opportunity for you and also help set some solid expectations.
Protect Your Business
Making a conscious decision to help others is easier when you can also protect the interests of yourself and those who are important to you. One of the great things about involving yourself in charity is that it tends to generate a caring and healthy community. That’s good, especially for local businesses.
If you want something a little more substantial than that, you might want to look into the potential tax benefits of donations. While the tax law has changed recently, there are still ample opportunities for many taxpayers — especially those who cannot claim the standard deduction on their taxes.
Find the Right Role
By now, you should have an idea of where you fit in to the world of charitable giving. Do you see yourself more as an investor, providing funds so others can continue their good work? Perhaps you want to be more personally involved, donating some of your time. Making top-level decisions like this will help you streamline the process of finding the right job for yourself.
Make a Global Difference
Many volunteer organizations work across the country and internationally. Examples include the Red Cross and Habitat for Humanity. These non-government organizations operate independently of individual nations to raise standards of living and promote human rights across the world. If you want to have an opportunity to travel while doing your volunteer work, it could be a good idea to start towards your goals by involving yourself in the local or national chapter of an international NGO.
One of the advantages of working with large groups is that they often help you with tasks that would be daunting as a solo volunteer. Examples include obtaining long-term charity visas and integrating into communities that need your help. If you have the time and the resources, these groups could give you opportunities you would never have without their support.
Strengthen Your Community
If you prefer action that directly affects your own neighborhood, a good place to start is often a local center. The Sullivan Community Space in Oakland is an example, but these facilities exist in nearly every community. They are almost entirely supported by people from the neighborhoods — and they are often the places where donations of time and money are most effective in promoting a better life for everyone connected to the group. These smaller organizations are often tightly connected with the local population and are therefore able to quickly identify and adapt to needs as they arise.
Establish Dialogues
Charities are, at their cores, people helping other people. The best way to get involved is to reach out and start the process of joining a group. Most have social media profiles, websites, or at least phone numbers. When you start reaching out to multiple different organizations, you will undoubtedly find a connection that fits your lifestyle and provides a fulfilling mission.