Give your all
The holidays are here, and you might be wondering: is it really better to give than it is to receive? When you get a present, it might make you happy for a short time. But when you give by donating money or volunteering for a cause you believe in, the rewards last longer than any toy, gadget, or check from Grandma! In this issue of The Vault from Biz Kid$, we talk about how to find opportunities to give time and money to good causes.
Fast Fact
Some people are really serious about giving to charity. Scroll down to find a link where you can learn more about an incredible donation!
Now Is the Time
With the economy in bad shape, many people don’t have much to spare for donations. Yet this is the time when social service organizations need help the most, because demand is high. If you can spare your time, talents, or skills, it’s a great moment to pitch in.
What is a nonprofit organization?
Nonprofit organizations put profits–the money left over after expenses–back into programs and services rather than distributing them to shareholders and executives. That’s because they exist for some other purpose than just to make money–usually a social or educational cause like feeding the hungry or promoting literacy. Most colleges and universities are nonprofits, too. When you give money to a not-for-profit, it’s called a “donation,” and you can usually deduct it from your taxes.
What do you care about?
If you’re going to be giving away your time and money, it helps to have a cause you’re passionate about. You shouldn’t have any trouble finding one–as of 2006 there were almost a million charities in the United States! There are charities for people, pets, education, literacy, sports–you name it.
