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Here we are, the holidays are officially setting in this week and the scramble to finish up the year is on.

This is also the time of year when most people are reminded of those far less fortunate and there is a call for helping hands to jump in! There is no doubt that businesses and individuals want to give back. However, an unclear economy and fear of January bills can make it difficult to know how giving fits into your budget.

But, have no worries! Here are a few tips to make giving easy to get started this year and fit into your budget for 2015.

Choose Meaning

Carefully consider where your dollars will be best spent. Make sure the mission statement and vision of the charity align with what you believe in. If it doesn’t align, it does not make a charity “bad;” it just makes it the wrong charity for you. If the charity supports projects you agree with, then you are off to a great start.

Don’t Be Pressured

Everyone has a cause they support, and with social media, the word about most causes spreads quickly. Professional fundraisers, along with family, friends, and co-workers often bump up the pressure around the holidays. Everyone is trying to entice your giving.

Although you may feel compelled to help, and likely you will, there might not be an emotional connection to your giving. Unless you feel it and give for a reason other than bending to social pressure, you won’t feel the personal satisfaction that comes with it.

Do Your Research

With scams and fraudulent organizations popping up daily, be sure to request a copy of a charity’s IRS Form 990, “Return of Organization Exempt From Income Tax.” Federal law requires public charities to send you a copy of its IRS Form 990 for a reasonable charge, upon request. In addition, you can request a copy of the organization’s Annual Report. If you’re going to pour your time & money into an organization and encourage others to do so, you want to know it’s all going to good causes.

In addition, you can do some online research at the following sites:

• American Institute of Philanthropy
• Charity Navigator
• Give.org

Be Creative

In the past, simply cutting a check was the easiest path to giving back.  Don’t worry, organizations still appreciate a check; but, often, that check does not feel as gratifying as getting involved.

These days, there are countless other creative ways to give back. This idea started out with a gesture of kindness, from one friend to another. Then, it blossomed into an annual event that couples an old tradition with new technology – social media.

The 3rd SPG Veterans Foundation

The 3rd SPG Veterans Foundation offers assistance to the outstanding airmen who have fallen upon hard times after leaving the Air Force, and offers aide not available through other veterans’ assistance programs. Additionally, the foundation provides assistance in the security and maintenance of two cemeteries located on the grounds of the former Clark Air Base, which houses the remains of American nationals and military working dogs.

In an interview with co-founder Bill Bowers, we learned the foundation came about a few years ago during the holiday season. Members of the 3rd SPG Facebook page started a collection to help a member who had fallen on financial hard times. Although Bill does not remember the exact amount of money raised, he told us that in less than a month, “several hundred dollars came in.”

The individual in need was in danger of having his utilities shut off and had no resources to buy any Christmas gifts for his two young daughters – one of which still believed in Santa Claus. Through Christmas miracles and some dedicated former Airmen, enough money was raised to pay off his utilities with a little leftover to purchase a few gifts to go under the tree.

After this happened, Bill said he realized the potential to help and wanted it to be year round.  He added, “It isn’t just around the holidays that people need assistance.”

With a little research and running some numbers Bill concluded that “with over 500 members in the group, if we could get twenty five percent to donate five dollars a month, we could do great things for our brothers and sisters in arms.”

He also remembered a conversation about the two cemeteries on the old Clark Air Base and wondered what had happened to them.  He found that the cemeteries were “left for dead, for lack of a better term.” Bill was disappointed that our government, which had occupied Clark Air Base for nearly 100 years, had left and forgotten the veterans and military working dogs who had given their lives to our country.

He learned that the only assistance to the cemetery was coming from a local VFW in Angeles City.  They were relying solely on donations by word of mouth.  These two cemeteries were not assigned to the American Battle Monuments Commission, so received no further assistance.

After realizing all of this, Bill called upon fellow SPG veterans, Tamara Mickelson and Jerome Fowler to propose the creation of a nonprofit foundation with a dual purpose: to provide assistance for those fallen on hard times and to assist in the maintenance and restoration of the two cemeteries.

Shortly thereafter, The 3rd SPG Veterans Foundation was formed.

In Bill’s words:

  “I am honored to be able to help any of my brothers and sisters who may have fallen on hard times for one reason or another. I fought alongside these men and women, and would lay down my life for each and every one of them to this day.  We have a phrase in the Air Force, which is one of our core values, and that is, ‘Service Before Self.’  I have tried to live my life that way since I left home in October of 1984 and was taught those three words along with the rest of the core values of the Air Force.”

Once Bill, Tamara, and Jerome navigated through the red tape and obstacles required to begin a nonprofit, and obtained the finances for start-up, the 3rd SPG Veteran’s Foundation was up and running. In just a few years, they have accomplished so much.

When asked about he promotes the foundation Bill said, “We use social media, donation letter request mailings, and word of mouth to help promote the foundation.”

Where Creativity & Technology Come Together For A Cause

Bill and I went to the same high school, and after I read about the Foundation, I knew I had to do something to, not only raise funds, but to raise awareness as well.

In 2012, rather than simply write a check, I challenged my Facebook friends and family to send me cards and pledged to donate $2 for every Christmas card I received that year. I created an event on Facebook that explained the Foundation and why I wanted to help. I knew that the economy often made it difficult to give back, so I volunteered to do it for people, if I received a card.

I knew one of two things would happen – either no one would send me a card, or everyone would. To be completely upfront, I was making a donation no matter the outcome. My primary goal was to at least bring awareness and familiarity to the foundation.

Things started out slow, but two weeks after Thanksgiving, the cards suddenly started pouring in, and that wasn’t all! Some of those cards also contained checks & cash for the Foundation. Additionally, because the website for the 3rd SPG Foundation was listed on the event, some people visited the website and donated directly there in lieu of sending a card. I was overwhelmed with the generosity of family and friends and even more stunned when Brett Hart, the founder of ParadoxLabs, offered to match my donation!

After the success of the first year, I decided to make it an annual event. In the subsequent years, I find myself no less overwhelmed by the generosity shown by everyone. The second year brought in enough cards to fill every door in my house and included cards from classrooms, businesses, and even animals.

So, after you enjoy all of the Thanksgiving festivities, please consider sending me a card and allow something so simple to turn into a $2 Donation to a worthy cause.

If you are interested in being a sponsor of the project, please contact me at sandee@paradoxlabs.com to discuss the sponsorship program.

Cards can be mailed to:

  Sandee Hart 1807 Stony Battery Road Mountville, PA 17554

For more information about the 3rd SPG, please visit their website: http://3rdspg.org/Home.html