Children of Soldiers Fund

America is a generous nation, and unselfish concern for the wel­fare of others is one of the hallmarks of a great society. Some traditions make it a practice to give away as much as 10 percent of one’s earnings. To many, that may seem like a lot, especially in a down economy. On the other hand, remember that hard times mean hard times for charities, too. At whatever level you’re comfortable giving, there’s no better feeling than helping those in need. Here are some tips on how to maximize your charitable dollars.

Select a charity. With so many worthy charitable organizations out there, it can be a little overwhelming to choose one to sup­port. Find a particular cause you want to champion -one you feel passionate about. Perhaps it’s underprivileged children, bat­tered women, abandoned animals or victims of natural disasters. There’s plenty of need. If you’re not sure where to start, you can research local charities by visiting charitynavigator.org or volun­teersac.org.

Determine your contribution. Meeting with a financial adviser will help you determine a budget and establish an amount you feel comfortable donating. By designating a practical amount to give, you’re more likely to give consistently without worry. If you have more time than money, you might consider volunteering. Most charities can always use an extra hand. Or, if you possess skills that a charity might need, consider donating your services.

Create a schedule. Many people wait until the holidays to give, but that can create stress if you’re on a tight year-end budget with gifts to purchase. Avoid the discomfort and guilt associated with last-minute donations by distributing your contributions through­out the year. With your consent, most charities will gladly set up automatic payment plans, so your contributions can be delivered without hassle each month or quarter.

Understand the benefits. In addition to warm feelings, your donations possibly entitle you to tax benefits. Though charities will often send a thank you receipt around tax time, keep track of what you give to whom, and consult a financial adviser with any tax questions you have. Also, remember that if you show up and volunteer, you will meet like-minded individuals and broaden your circle of contacts -a benefit no businessperson should ever overlook.

Inspire others. Your story has the power to inspire and move others to take action. Share your experience with your family, friends and even coworkers. One person can only do so much, but a crowd can accomplish truly great things.

People like to give money to charity because it gives them a “warm glow” and they feel that they are helping others less fortunate than themselves. There are lots of different ways of leaving money to charity.There are lots of different kind of charities. Some of the most well known are those which relate to a particular illness or medical condition such as cancer, kidney disease or brain injury. There are charities established for nearly every conceivable condition from birth to death… premature babies to Help the Aged.One of the main reasons that very wealthy people donate to charity is to reduce their tax bill. Another reason is publicity… it makes them look good.We tend to give to those charities that we feel an association with. For example I have a regularly standing order with Barnardos an Irish children’s charity that helps kids in deprived areas with providing some meals, and afterschool or homework clubs. I have two small children myself and thankfully myself and my partner are able to put food on the table and give them a reasonably decent life.But when I give a donation, no matter how small

A couple of weeks ago, I ran across a Wall Street Journal article that indicated that total charitable giving in the United States fell 3.6 percent in 2009. According to this report made by the Giving USA Foundation, this was the steepest decline since it began its annual study in 1956.The report did note however, that despite the sharp decrease in financial transactions resulting from the poor economic conditions, Americans continued to give to charity – albeit less.The article went on to say that, as a direct result of this condition, 40 of America’s wealthiest individuals and families have signed the “Giving Pledge.”Responding to a call by Warren Buffet and Bill and Melinda Gates, these billionaires have publicly committed to give away at least half of their wealth to charity within their lifetimes or after their deaths.Warren Buffet was quoted in explaining that, while the pledge push might produce a short-term boost in giving, the main goal is to set an example over the long term for others to get involved in philanthropy.”The behavior of those before does affect what happens with those after, particularly if those people are somewhat admired

“Your most precious, valued possessions and your greatest powers are invisible and intangible. No one can take them. You, and you alone, can give them. You will receive abundance for your giving.”-W. Clement Stone (1902-2002) Author and BusinessmanGIVE AND YOU SHALL RECEIVE!With the economy barely struggling to survive, high unemployment figures, a choppy and uncertain market for the foreseeable future, many folks who may have previously been philanthropic, are hesitant about donating to their favorite charities. This can be seen across the board, from the weekly tithe to churches and synagogues, as well as to the larger gifts to other worthwhile non-profits, such as cancer societies, Alzheimer’s foundations, etc., etc., etc., conservation and preservation groups, hospitals, universities and homeless shelters. The list goes on and on. All of these non-profit (501c3) organizations depend solely on the kindness and generosity of their supporters to survive and continue all the good work that they do.Unfortunately, most of these non-profits receive their donations as “planned gifts,” which occur at some time in the future- through pledges, gifts from an estate after the supporter has passed on, or through various trusts. Very little is an