It’s been our privilege to serve you this year. We want to see you succeed – inspire and inform more supporters and use feedback to have great impact. Below are some highlights from this past year and what is to come in 2014. Thank you for using GreatNonprofits!
This Season of Giving when most Americans donate and volunteer for nonprofits, GreatNonprofits, the largest nonprofit review site (like a Yelp for Nonprofits) announces the 2013 GreatNonprofits Top-Rated List. Over 1,400 nonprofits ranging from national nonprofits to local nonprofits are on the list. In 2013, an expected $375 billion[1] is expected to be donated to nonprofits. The Top-Rated List of nonprofits helps donors find worthy charities. (more…)
Pine trees. Gilded glass ornaments. Big gold boxes wrapped with shiny red ribbons. The image of the holidays we have is one of people cozying up next to the fireplace stockings in their knitted reindeer sweaters with a plate of gingerbread cookies in one hand and a present in the other.
For most of us, our biggest worry is whether to buy the green scarf or the blue scarf for our mother-in-law, or which Lego kit was the one our son wanted. Yet for many others, presents are the last thing on their minds this holiday season – they’re just thinking about how to last the winter months with enough food and warm clothing.
Most of us reach a point in our careers where we need a new challenge. A little change once in a while spices up our lives and motivates our work. What better way to introduce change than to inspire change by serving on a nonprofit board? Nonprofit board members witness the social impact of their great causes while also offering advice, oversight and support. Read on to learn about an array of benefits that come with serving on a nonprofit board.
Typhoon Haiyan has left millions of families and children in need in the Philippines. As many as 2.5 million people require assistance. (more…)
The holiday season is quickly approaching and soon we’ll be finding ourselves caught up in the shopping madness of Black Friday and Cyber Monday. Thankfully, #GivingTuesday, a movement that promotes giving back to kickoff the holiday season, gives everyone the opportunity to experience the true meaning of giving. (more…)
“To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen… to be forgotten is the worse.” – Pierre Claeyssen
Image Provided by: Wreaths Across America
An important yet often-overlooked holiday is rapidly approaching. Veterans Day, a federal holiday honoring those who served in the United States Armed Forces, falls on November 11. But it tends to be neglected in the frenzy between Halloween and Thanksgiving. (more…)
By Craig Newmark: contributing writer and founder of Craigslist.
Hey, I’m always excited about technology for social good. My motto for craigconnects is using technology to give the voiceless a real voice, and the powerless real power. Recently, I invested in GreatNonprofits.org to create a Yelp for nonprofits.
I asked Perla Ni, of GreatNonprofits to write a guest blog post about this investment I’ve made. (more…)
“I want to leave my kids with enough money for college and also to buy a house in Palo Alto. But that’s it. I’m giving away the rest.”
“I’m going to pay for my kids to go to college and grad school, and also for my grandkids to do the same.”
“I’m working hard now so that my kids won’t have to. I wouldn’t want my kids to struggle like I had to. I’m leaving them all of my money.”
–These are just three different answers from my friends on the question of how much money do you plan to leave to your kids? (more…)
Students at a private academy bordering Silicon Valley, Calif., bustle about a sprawling campus evocative of a country club. But amid this campus dotted with tennis courts and a pool, a cadre of fourth-graders has quietly mobilized to personally raise $7,000 toward building a school for their far-less privileged peers in Kenya, under the auspices of the Free The Children international charity and educational partner. (more…)
David Bakke, a Money Crashers contributor, discusses strategies to save money and find ways to give back and make a difference.
When it comes to choosing the right charity, you’re going to want to do your homework. Because of recent economic struggles, Americans have less disposable income on-hand to donate to our favorite causes than we once did. This means that when you do donate, you want to make sure ever dollar counts. To make sure you direct your charitable dollars to the right place, follow these five tips… (more…)
With the change of season, most of us start thinking about wooly sweaters and hearty bowls of steaming soup. As the days grow shorter, we smile at the warm lights in the window beckoning us home. But what about those who aren’t as lucky?
In April, 2013, Joel Berg of the NYC Coalition against Hunger said that 50 million Americans, including nearly 17 million children live in food insecure homes. These kids are skipping breakfast and eating junk food, which is cheaper than healthier alternatives. It’s a daunting problem, but we all can make a difference! (more…)
#GivingTuesday is the brainchild of the 92nd Street Y, a nonprofits cultural and community center in New York. The idea is to inspire giving and help charities nation-wide. How? By creating a daylong national effort to help charities raise money online during the holiday shopping season – and do so right on the heals of Cyber Monday and Black Friday. This is a big deal for nonprofits as last year alone the movement drew donations to about 2,600 nonprofits. (more…)
When it comes to Halloween, we definitely recommend choosing to treat rather than trick – but this year, put a twist on the old mantra by treating someone else! With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner it’s easy to overlook this spooky night, but Halloween has just as much potential to be a great holiday for giving back to the community. (more…)
Content provided by: TechSoup
Author: ginnymies
In early education, children learn the fundamentals of reading and writing in order to communicate, collaborate, and contribute in the world. But what if kids learned basic tech skills along with reading storybooks and taking spelling tests? And what if a person, regardless of age, could learn anything from typing to HTML to using an iPad without any cost or accessibility barriers? Libraries, nonprofits, and schools are already working hard to teach digital skills and competency, but they need support of the entire community to help people thrive in the technology age. (more…)
By Brad Jamison: contributing writer and founder of Good Citizen.
Back-to-school time is an annual reminder of the many service opportunities we have to help ensure kids have a fun and productive school year.
While I find great joy in doing all sorts of service, one of the things that delights me the most and provides enormous satisfaction is working with a nonprofit that benefits kids. In fact, last year, when I conducted Thirty Days of Service – 30 service projects with 30 organizations in 30 consecutive days – I spent nearly one-third of my time volunteering to help kids.
One of the most exhausting, yet rewarding, days of my thirty came when I volunteered with KaBOOM!. On that 90 degree day, I joined 200 others to build a new playground for the kids of an LA-area community. When we arrived at the site there was nothing to be seen other than a vacant space where an old dilapidated playground once stood and a sea of people eager to help. But, when we left there was a gorgeous, safe place for kids to play. It reminded me of the types of play space I was fortunate enough to grow up with, which is why I love doing these builds.
It is on a day like this, one when strangers come together with a common goal that I am reminded of the truth in one of my favorite quotes from Margaret Mead, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” On that day, we changed the world for the kids in this community.
Another thing I love about service is seeing the impact I have on the person I am helping. One place that happens for me, over and over, is at the Boys & Girls Club of Hollywood. I have been on the Board of the Club for more than four years, a role that brings me great joy and satisfaction. But, from time to time, I also volunteer with them in other ways.
During my Thirty Days of Service, I spent an afternoon helping kids with their homework in the Club’s learning center, which is where I visibly witnessed the impact I was having. I was sitting working with a young man struggling with his math assignment, something I could relate to, as I was never a superstar when it came to math. As I tried to help him, offering up various ways he could approach the equation, he grew more and more frustrated and was nearly begging me to just give him the answer. Not one to give in too easily to the charms of sweet kids, I kept working with him when suddenly something I said clicked with him and he was able to arrive at the correct answer. That little moment felt like magic for both of us!
Speaking of magic, the folks at Playworks might not be magicians, but they are experts at transforming schools by providing play and physical activity at recess and throughout the school day. I have seen firsthand how their hands-on approach helps build self-esteem in kids through play in a positive, supportive and non-threatening environment. As a kid who was frequently teased and picked last in gym, I know how intimidating the playground can be and I wish Playworks had been around for me. The day I served with Playworks, I wrote the following in my blog, “Many of life’s lessons are learned on the playground and I am thrilled that these kids, and kids at other Playworks schools, have an opportunity to learn those lessons in a safe and supportive environment. For the kids, it might seem like it’s just playtime, but we adults know it’s much more than that.”
So, whether it’s helping a teacher or kid, playing or instructing, there are so many ways to give to our next generation of leaders. I hope that during this back-to-school season, you will join me in pledging to find a way to serve this school year and help ensure a bright future for all.
About the author
Brad Jamison is a pro-social marketing expert, speaker, writer, producer, service advocate, philanthropist and founder of Good Citizen. A volunteer since he was 8, last year Brad conducted Thirty Days of Service – 30 service projects with 30 organizations in 30 consecutive days, for which he was honored with the Daily Point of Light Award, which recognizes the power of the individual to spark change and improve the world.
See Brad live:
Below is a video of Brad on day 28 of his service with Kaboom. For more videos, click here.
With summer break over and school back in full swing, kids are on our minds more and more. That said, the sad reality is that thousands of children don’t have access to adequate education, medical care, or even clothing in their lives. This fall, lend a helping hand to those kids who fall through the cracks by volunteering or donating to a great organization. Here are just a few of the countless nonprofits that work towards enhancing the lives of kids around the country.
Featured Nonprofits:
In2Books connects children who are struggling to read and write proficiently with adult eMentors. Through online “pen pal” discussion about the books the children and eMentors read together, kids become excited about reading and writing.
“In sharing my own stories and thoughts, I am able to connect with a child that I know I am impacting not only now, but also into the future with the gift of literacy. To watch a child learn and grow as a student and as a reader is one of the most fulfilling volunteer opportunities I have ever been awarded, and I highly recommend the ePals Foundation to any would-be educator who just wants to make a difference.”
Hope Stone brings arts to at-risk youth through dance, theater, and music classes, exposes them to modern performances by their professional dance company, and nurtures their growth through the arts.
“The afterschool programs for “children at risk” teaches them responsibility along with the arts: dancing, drums, theater and exercise. Each year this group is provided the opportunity to see live theater, free! Many times it’s their only experience visiting a theater, seeing a live performance and then talking about it’s impact on them after.”
The Art of Elysium provides artistic workshops in acting, art, fashion, music, creative writing, and more, taught by professional artists to kids battling serious medical conditions.
“They go from feeling inspired by a kid that has an amazing spirits despite his illness and loves drawing with the art of Elysium volunteers, to help a kid that doesn’t feel inspired to play with us and by the time you leave he has finished his painting and even better he has a smile on his face.”
My New Red Shoes provides clothing and shoes for homeless children so that they are able to
enter school confident and proud in the fall with brand-new clothes.
“I’ve seen the faces and gratefulness of the children and their parents at Back to School parties where the children get their new shoes and gift cards. I’ve seen the volunteers helping out and feeling as if they got a gift too just by being there and helping. A true feel good experience.”
Story Submissions:
Last but not least, thank you to all the nonprofits who submitted their stories to our blog! Here’s a closer look at the stories of two of those organizations that dedicate their work towards helping kids.
Making Headway Foundation provides comfort supports to children with brain and spinal cord tumors as they undergo hospitalization and family therapy and counseling afterwards. They also fund medical research dedicated to finding better treatments and a cure.
“From the research they support to the hugs they offer a parent in a waiting room and from the vast knowledge they put at parents’ fingertips to the fun social activities they offer for the kids, the people at Making Headway are on mission to improve lives, one minute and one day at a time.”
Story behind the photo: “Making Headway Foundation held it’s annual Family Fun Day picnic in June. Pediatric Brain and Spinal Cord Tumor patients were given a respite from the rigors of treatment on this special day.”
ArtWorks, The Naomi Cohain Foundation brings creative and performing arts opportunities to children and young adults suffering from chronic illnesses. The kids are able to showcase their art, music, and dance in ArtWorks Express Yourself concerts and exhibitions.
“Engaging in the arts is not only enjoyable, it is an invaluable tool in helping children and families to cope with distress throughout serious illness and hospital experiences. Several patients who used to dread coming to the hospital for transfusions and other procedures now look forward to visits because they know they’ll get to create art using materials from our beautiful Surprise!Supplies art cart!”
Story behind the photo: “After nervously reading her poem, Adrian was filled with pride as she declared “I did it!” at the ArtWorks Express Yourself creative exhibition in New York.”
Have your own story to share about an organization that helps kids? Tell us here!
You can also read this article here on LinkedIn!
Imagine this: your seventeen-year-old daughter is texting her friend on her flip phone. She’s had this phone since eighth grade and she doesn’t mind; she can call, she can text and that’s fine by her.
A pack of cool girls in her class walks by. They’re all on their iPhones, checking Facebook, Twitter, Instagram. They look over at your daughter’s old phone. “What is that,” one of them snorts, “a dumbphone?”
In this era of “entitlement” when adolescents are given more privileges than ever, empathy with people who are different or who don’t have the same material resources, are at an all time low. According to researchers, entitled children often seek only their own pleasure, and forget about other people’s feelings. They don’t empathize that not everyone grows up with Retina Display. (By the way, that was an actual exchange between kids in a high school in California this year.)
Most parents don’t intend to spoil their kids. Well-meaning parents take their kids to piano classes, take them to museums in Europe and buy them cell phones, not with the intent to spoil, but to give them a solidly well-rounded and well-provided-for childhood. But one unintended consequence is that their child may grow up into a selfish and narcissistic adolescent.
How do you make sure that your child stays humble, responsible, and empathetic?
The secrets to raising a compassionate, responsible child are surprisingly simple, according to researchers.
Top 5 Ways To Raise A Compassionate Kid:
1. Assign your kids chores. When your kids are young, start by assigning chores early on, so they understand the concept of each family member taking on a specific job for the wellbeing of the entire family. Studies show that this is one of the best ways to encourage compassion and prosocial behavior. Older kids can babysit younger siblings or other kids in the neighborhood. Older boys can be particularly good babysitters and develop a caring relationship with younger boys.
2. Praise them not just about their act, but their internal motivation. When you see your child doing a good deed, make sure you recognize her actions – but go a step further and attribute these actions to her “internal disposition” (e.g. “Wow, Julie, thanks for helping your brother with his homework! You’re such a kind and caring person.”) When your kids hear about how their actions reflect their inner good nature, rather than just hearing about how good the deed itself was, this fosters a prosocial self image that results in more empathetic actions.
3. Reward not for rare goodness, but for consistent behaviors. Children are continuously learning, so don’t reward them after just one instance of a good behavior; wait until they’ve shown it multiple times, when it’s starting to become more of a habit. Make sure your child understands that their behavior has consequences; consistent mature, responsible behavior will elicit praise or rewards while continued irresponsible behavior results in loss of rewards. Don’t reward too often – by only calling attention to your child’s exceptional behavior, this sets the social responsibility expectation higher for them. Rewarding them for every small, already-expected action causes them to lower their own expectations of what constitutes good behavior.
4. Encourage open expression of emotions in your family. Many families find it difficult to openly air out negative emotions, but talk it through with your child when she comes home upset or sad. Children who are more tuned in to emotions from an early age often end up more empathetic and are more likely to understand and consider others’ feelings, rather than taking them for granted. Growing up in a tight-knit family provides a conducive atmosphere for children to openly express their feelings; encourage this by spending more time with your kids.
5. Volunteer. In general, researchers have found volunteering is associated with increases in adolescents’ self-esteem and self-acceptance, moral development, and belief in one’s personal responsibility to help. Volunteering often brings a new dimension to the world through children’s eyes; it helps them grasp that not everyone has the same privileges they do and makes them more empathetic.
Empathy and compassion take years to develop. The one caveat is not to force your child against her will. If she doesn’t want to go to the food pantry this weekend to help stock food, don’t yell at her and push her into going; she may associate negative emotion with volunteering, according to studies.
One final tip: go home from work today and tell your kid you love him or her. It doesn’t matter if they’re seven or if they’re seventeen. Just one little phrase can remind them of how much love and compassion they have – and in turn, allow them to spread that love and compassion to others.
Follow Perla Ni, GreatNonprofits founder and CEO, on LinkedIn!
You can also read this article here on LinkedIn!
Dan is on his way to work and pulls up to the coffeehouse down the street from his office. He orders a latte and a scone, pays $5, and leaves. Amy is standing behind him in line. It’s the birthday of the intern in her office, and while Amy doesn’t really know her that well, she buys a $5 gift card for her intern.
Dan and Amy both spent $5 this morning. Logically, they should feel relatively equal from an emotional standpoint after having just spent the same amount of money, but studies have shown that Amy feels happier and, in fact, wealthier than Dan does. The reason for this difference? Dan spent the $5 on himself, while Amy spent it on someone else. Studies show that when you give, whether you give randomly to a stranger or donating to a charity, it boosts both your happiness and your feeling of wealth.
Elizabeth Dunn and Michael Norton’s book Happy Money: The Science of Smarter Spendingexplains why this simple good deed can be such a powerful mood booster. In one experiment people randomly received an envelope containing $5 that asked them to spend it on themselves and gave others one containing $5 that asked them to spend it on a gift for someone else or donation to charity. At the end of the day, those who spent money on others were measurably happier than those who spent money on themselves.
Another experiment gave people an envelope containing $1 and randomly assigned them to either keep the money, give the money back to the experimenter, or give the money to a charity. Following the same logic as Dan and Amy, those who gave the money back and gave the money to a charity should have felt equally poor – but instead, those who gave to charity felt significantly wealthier than those who gave the money back, and just as wealthy as those who got to keep their $1. Giving money away makes us feel wealthy.
“It is in spending oneself that one becomes rich,” said Sarah Bernhardt.
Want to feel happy today? Spend some money on others today – pick up a coffee for your intern, give a gift to someone, or make a donation to a nonprofit! You’ll get the rush of natural happiness.
Follow Perla Ni, GreatNonprofits founder and CEO, on LinkedIn!
You can also read this article here on LinkedIn!
Leave behind more from this summer than bad tan lines and stale cotton candy. Have an adventure and make a difference. Check out some great travel volunteer opportunities as recommended by the community at GreatNonprofits.org. You can experience different cultures, the diverse beauty of this world – and help a child to read, build a bridge, or contribute to rainforest research.
Peru
Create wildlife or flora guides, monitor wildlife and forest growth, teach English, map uncharted areas of the rainforest
You’re walking through the Amazonian rainforest just as sunlight is starting to spill through the tips of the canopy leaves; a crimson-tailed hummingbird flits through the air and a capuchin monkey scrambles between tree branches. Working with Amazon Conservation Association, which is dedicated to preserving the biological diversity of the Amazon Basin, you can explore Amazonian nature as a conservationist striving to ensure that the beauty of these rainforests lasts for generations to come. There’s a lot you can do to preserve these forests – you can create wildlife and flora photoguides and artwork to document research, for instance.
Said one volunteer of his trip down the Peruvian Andes to visit ACA’s research facilities and meet the indigenous community, “The entire experience was profound. ACA’s research stations were filled with students studying various aspects of the cloud forest and rain forest….The whole atmosphere was exciting and filled with creativity….The issues are huge but the organization has talented, hardworking, committed people who have a track record of achieving results.”
Take a look at more ways to volunteer with ACA in the Peruvian rainforests.
Brazil
Teach English, help the disabled, volunteer at daycares, work in hospitals helping HIV/AID patients
Salvador, Brazil is a city that is impossible to forget; the pastel colonial architecture of its historic center and its Afro-Brazilian music. You can savor those experiences and volunteer to improve education and healthcare with Cross-Cultural Solutions. You can teach English, work in a daycare or a hospital.
“Being a volunteer with Cross Cultural Solutions is one of the best things I have ever done with my life,” said one volunteer. “I spent ten weeks in Salvador, Brazil from October through December 2011. During my time in Brazil, I was able to assist in a day care for a few weeks and work with underprivileged children. I also taught English at two different schools to people who only spoke Portuguese….The beach, the people, volunteering, and CCS…It is a great combination and a very rewarding experience.”
Discover what you can do with CCS to impact someone’s life across the world.
Costa Rica
Build bridges, clean water systems, and recycling stations; engage in reforestation and organic agricultural work
Costa Rica’s craggy volcanoes, picturesque beaches, and incredible flora and fauna biodiversity make for an overwhelmingly colorful and unique experience for travellers. It’s the perfect place to take one of Globe Aware‘s Volunteer Vacations – soak up the sun and culture while helping to build infrastructure. By day, you can build suspension bridges, practice organic farming, and construct recycling stations; by night, meet the locals, learn about traditional sugar cane processing, and enjoy the delicious food.
“…I just returned from building a pedestrian bridge in the middle of the rainforest in Costa Rica with them this June, and I have to say, out of all my life experiences, truly none have ever come close to these,” said a past volunteer.
Learn more about Globe Aware’s opportunities for change in Costa Rica and other destinations for volunteer travel.
Cambodia
Teach English and art, assist in pediatric and medical care
Sela is an 8-year-old boy with a gap-toothed, wide-mouthed grin, ears that stick out, and an impish look in his eyes. He looks just like any other excited elementary school kid – except that he gets his education, food and healthcare from the Cambodian Children’s Fund. You can volunteer to help children like him this summer by working in the school, bakery, or health clinic.
Said one volunteer who visited CCF facilities, “I had the opportunity to do some volunteer work for CCF in Phnom Penh this past year and experience first-hand what Scott and his team are doing. It was a truly amazing experience that left a huge impression on me….CCF is transforming an entire community and helping them lift themselves out of poverty by addressing the major problems that these people face including schooling for children, health care, vocational training, substance abuse and domestic violence. None of this would be possible without CCF.”
Find out how to get involved with Cambodian Children’s Fund.
Guatemala
Build stoves, work in nurseries and plant trees
Guatemala is home to some of the most beautiful landscapes in Central America; you can wander through the Mayan ruins, climb a volcano, or explore the open-air markets. You can also travel with other volunteers of the Highland Support Project this summer to rebuild depleted forests and limit harmful smoke exposure within indigenous Mayan communities. You’ll build fuel-efficient stoves to replace open-pit fires in poorly ventilated homes, engage in reforestation, or work in Guatemalan schools presenting affordable art programs to help these communities achieve social sustainability.
“What I love about HSP is its commitment to collaborative/cooperative work in the villages versus what some folks call “hit and run” (drop in with supplies, then not show up again for another month or 6 months or longer). Members of the communities are active partners in all of the work that HSP supports. Through HSP I have experienced the true meaning of empowerment in its most positive way,” said a past volunteer.
Explore the ways that you can make a difference this summer in Guatemala.
Uganda
Build water and sanitation systems, construct stoves, work with women’s activist groups
Uganda’s beautiful national parks and boundless savanna are the perfect destination for adventurous travelers with a thirst for exploring Africa’s rugged terrain and endlessly diverse wildlife. This summer, go on safaris and raft on the Nile while helping the Foundation for Sustainable Development improve water and food sanitation in Uganda’s Masaka district. Help construct rainwater collection tanks, educate communities about the importance of hygiene, and build pollution-minimizing stoves.
“The entire FSD team in Uganda was incredibly helpful and my host family was accommodating at all times,” said one volunteer. “The team made our experience truly hands on and exposed us the daily work that the Uganda people engaged in and we worked on projects that were making a real impact in the community….Overall it was a wonderful experience that broadened my horizons and cultivated my interests in global sustainable development.”
Explore the other destinations you can travel to and volunteer services you can provide with the Foundation for Sustainable Development.
Did I miss your favorite volunteer travel experience? Share your inspirational story – and help others find those same opportunities!
For 50+ more summer favorites from Influencers, check out the full Influencer Summer Guide here.
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