Show your love for Women Nonprofits this Month

Share your love for women’s nonprofits this month

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Show your love for Women Nonprofits this MonthShare your love for women’s nonprofits this month

Philanthropic giving by individual Americans has been steadily increasing. According to National Philanthropic Trust, Americans gave $427.71 billion in 2018 (a 0.7% increase from 2017) and the largest source of charitable giving was by individuals at $292.09 billion (68% of total giving).

Nonprofits helping women and girls may have been gaining visibility, but they receive a small percentage of the charitable dollars. According to The Women & Girls Index: Measuring Giving to Women’s and Girls’ Causes by the Women’s Philanthropy Institute at Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy found that in 2016 more than 45,000 organizations dedicated to women and girls received a total of  $6.3 billion — only 1.6% of charitable giving.

The WINGS team believes it is time to change that. Here are 4 ways you can show your love for women’s organizations this month:

Donate your time and talent by volunteering

Over 77 million (30%) adult Americans volunteer their time, talents, and energy to making a difference. Most women’s and girls’ nonprofits can use volunteers’ expertise and support all year long. This month is a good time to reach out your local women’s or girls’ organizations to determine where they could use a helping hand.

Donate your Treasure

Philanthropy is not just the domain of the wealthy. Small financial contributions are impactful. According to the study, Women and Giving by Fidelity Charitable, 55 percent of millennials support a wide variety of causes, but may be diluting their impact by giving to too many charities. This month is a good time to make a list of your giving priorities and save the majority of your giving budget for 2020 for the issues you care most about.

Become a voice for the organizations you love

According to the study by Fidelity Charitable, 51% of millennial women encourage others to donate to the charities they do by posting success stories on social media to inspire friends, family and potential donors. Donate your voice this month to advocating and educating others about women’s and girls’ issues. You could start small by sharing a post or a news article as way to inform and inspire.

Leverage your personal and professional Network for a cause

According to the Millennial Impact Project, 75 percent of Millennials say they share content on social media. Recognize the incredible influence and potential your network carries. This Feb, recognize the influence you have online, in social networks, in your relationships, and at your workplace. Introduce two people in your network to a women’s organization you are passionate about.

About the Author:

Sheeba Madan Loewinger is the Business Manager at Little Silver Foot Care. She has a multi-faceted background in marketing and communications. She is a mentee of the WINGS Signature Program 2019 cohort.

The Power of Giving

The Power of Giving

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The Power of Giving

 

The Power of Giving

Charitable giving is in full-swing this time of the year, and Americans have a reputation for giving generously to charity. According to Giving USA 2019: The Annual Report on Philanthropy for the Year 2018, American individuals, bequests, foundations and corporations gave an estimated $427.71 billion to US charities in 2018.

We all know giving helps others and is good for the giver. Whether we provide support to family members, friends, and neighbors, or donate time, talent, or treasure to charities or non-profits, having positive social interactions is essential for good mental and physical health. Scientists also believe that altruistic behavior releases endorphins in the brain, producing the helper’s high. Reciprocity since time immemorial has been an accepted concept. When you give, you’re more likely to get back. Studies by sociologists suggest that when you give to others, your generosity is likely to be rewarded by others down the line.

Giving also strengthens bonds in a community. When you give to others, they feel closer to you and you feel closer to them. You also spur a ripple effect of generosity through your community. According to a Harvard University study, seeing others give makes an individual more likely to give – in other words, giving is contagious.

So, it would seem intuitive that everyone would want to give. And many indeed do give informally.

Informal giving in many communities in the US:Informal giving in many communities in the US

So where are the foundations for giving laid? In the US, philanthropic habits and practices are instilled mainly in the nuclear family. A comprehensive review of more than 500 studies on why people give conducted by researchers at the University of Notre Dame found that giving is more common among people who are:

Giving is more common among...

A passionate advocate of giving and paying-it-forward and Founder and CEO of WINGS for Growth, a women’s leadership development non-profit, Varsha Waishampayan, says giving gave her a great sense of accomplishment and purpose in life.

About the Author:

Sheeba Madan Loewinger is a  Marketing and communications professional with a multi-faceted background encompassing content development and editing,  She is a mentee of the WINGS Signature Program. Follow Sheeba at the link shared for her viewpoints.